Christmas shopping can be mentally and physically stressful, and one way to keep yourself grounded is to be careful and patient while shopping. The crowds can cause anxiety, and trying to find the right gifts can be time consuming and difficult. We have a few tricks we use to get through Christmas shopping—hope they help you too. Go shopping during slow times whenever possible. This may sound crazy, but if you can shop late at night, especially during the week, you’ll avoid the rush and most of the other shoppers—and your store experience can be extremely peaceful. You’ll be surprised how few people are out late at night. Don’t try to do too much. Some shoppers try to take care of their entire list in one day, and the stress it causes is enormous. Split your list so you’re not stressing yourself out to buy all the gifts at once. Your body and your brain will thank you. Look online. Nowadays, there is no need to leave your home to Christmas shop if you don’t want to. You can buy anything and everything you need online. You save time, money, and energy if you use your computer to do your shopping. And the great thing is, depending on the stores you use, you could conceivably get most or all of your shopping done in one or two online sessions. Ask for help. Your family can help you do your shopping—there’s no need for you to feel like you have to do everything yourself. Or if you’d rather do the shopping, ask them to do the other tasks, such as decorating, cleaning the house, sending out Christmas cards, or cooking. Take care of you. Listen to your body. If it tells you to slow down, do it. Don’t push yourself, especially if you’re tired. Standing in line, dodging other shoppers, and walking across parking lots can take their toll. Be kind to yourself, and you’ll enjoy shopping more and get more done.
What’s your favorite Christmas shopping tip?
