How To Survive The Shops At Christmas
Survive The Shops At Christmas. For those of you who have left their Christmas shopping recklessly late, consider the following a special gift: VideoJug's guide to festive shopping without the stress.
Step 2: Shop early
Friends will think you're mad but shopping a month or two before Christmas will dramatically reduce stress levels in the run up to the big day. You will also probably save money by reducing panic purchases and there is likely to be more choice as shops will be better stocked.
Having said all that, if you're watching this then shopping early is probably not an option...
Step 3: Preparation
This is a marathon not a sprint and you should prepare as such. Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before and keep hydrated throughout the day.
Choose comfortable shoes and wear clothes to suit the climate making sure a layer or two is easy to remove for when you step into the shops.
Step 4: Make a list
You're going to need military like precision to pull this off so make a list of those you really need to get presents for and plan a couple of options before you even think about leaving the house. Stick to those that are a must, maybe now's the time to cross off your next door neighbours pooch?
Top tip: If you're stuck for an idea for someone's gift, try to find out what other people are giving them and buy something that compliments it. What's a hat without a scarf?
Step 5: Protection
In the interest of sanity try shopping with your own personal soundtrack. Research shows that one of the greatest dangers associated with Christmas shopping is exposure to tinny, repetitive, mind bending festive music. Replace this with your own tunes.
Step 6: Equipment
Carrying multiple bags can be a nuisance so take a leaf out of Santa's book and take a big backpack or bury your pride and borrow your grannies shopping trolley. Or take your partner.
Step 7: Bat away criticism
You may be put off last minute shopping by hateful, smug friends who have done all their shopping, and wrapped their presents, and alphabetised them under the tree. Stay strong and motivated, and annoy them with tales of amazing offers that you found by deliberately leaving your shopping to the last minute.
Step 8: Kids
If you have them get a baby sitter. This is going to be a lot easier without searching for missing kids high on Christmas candy.
Step 9: Be selfish
The time for shopping with friends ended in autumn. Your needs will rarely coincide with theirs so shop on your own and arrange to meet them afterwards for a well earned drink.
Step 10: Last resort
If all else fails and you just can't face the shops you have three options.
1. Order on line. Many websites accept orders up to a surprisingly late date but make sure that they have guaranteed delivery by Christmas and watch VideoJug's 'How to buy online' first.
2. Buy them a nice bottle of wine or champagne. Few will be disappointed especially if you take a minute to learn a bit about the wine in question so that when you give it to them you can give the impression that a lot of thought has gone into it.
3. Tell your friends that Christmas is cancelled, and go on holiday somewhere warm with all the money you have saved by not buying presents......
