BAH! HUMBUG! (Tips For Hassle-Free Christmas Shopping)

Member Name: Blurbubble

Product:	Tips For Hassle-Free Christmas Shopping
Date:	13/12/01 (57 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: N/A

Disadvantages: N/A

And that just about sums up my feelings on thw whole Christmas thing - all of it. But let's put that aside for the moment. I'm an atheist so Christmas has no real meaning for me other than the usual giving and receiving of gifts and nice food.

OK, so tips for hassle-free Christmas shopping? I hate shopping at the best of times - YES! AND I AM A WOMAN!! I don't mind the spending of money (when I have any) - it's the traipsing around shops, trying to find what you want, queuing to pay and hauling it home I hate - most of it then!

I used to leave my Christmas shopping until about a week before Christmas and then try to do it in one big splurge but now I can't take that apporach as I am disabled and can't be out for long or carry a lot now.

My approach? Well always hoard any cards, gift tags or wrapping paper you haven't used the last year and stock up on any extra in those cheapy Christmas shops that just appear in December - it's only paper and there's no need to spend a fortune on it.

If you have the facilities buy what you can either online or via catalogues and have it delivered - not always the cheapest option but the most convenient (especially if you work full-time) and, if you don't leave it too late, the quickest too.

My other approach is what I call "chance shopping" - yes, don't make a special shopping trip - if you just happen to go to the shops at any point, maybe in your lunch hour, to go to the bank, post a letter or whatever - try to buy a couple of presents a long the way too - it soon builds up. I have done most of my shopping this year this way. I only work a couple of afternoons a week so I leave home half an hour early and make small inroads into my shopping list. Always have your Christmas shopping list with you then you can use any opportunity to buy one or two things here and there. This eradicates the need for a massive shopping splurge and ca
n work out more economical too - especially if you are paid weekly or living on benefits.

Above all don't let it all get on top of you. Don't be competitive - only spend what you can afford and only buy for those you need to buy for. It's not worth running up huge debts or buying gifts for people you don't like or never see. Remember, EVERYONE is meant to enjoy it!

Good Luck!

Summary: