Family & Parenting Shopping Share Tweet Now that December has finally kicked in here are some of our top tips to ensure that your Christmas shopping is an experience filled with sparkle rather than stress… Will you be having a happy Christmas this year, or a hellish one? Take action now, and make sure its a holiday to remember, rather than one that raises your blood pressure. The true meaning of the holidays can sometimes get muddled in the midst of busy shopping centres and last minute shopping. Check out these top Stress Free Christmas Shopping tips — from organising trips to list management to simplifying your shopping — to maximize the fun and the savings. Stress Free Christmas Shopping Tips Give Yourself a Reason to Get Your Work Done Quickly During the holidays, take a step back and consider how you really want to spend your time. Make a list of four non-shopping-related wishes. Try taking the family out for lunch or enjoying a day at the beach with your significant other. Jot these four items onto your calendar as inspiration to get your work done quickly. Set a Budget You can use the previous year’s credit card and bank statements to figure out what you typically spend. Then, create a realistic spending plan — and stick to it! Looking for ways to save? Simplify by setting spending limits on family gifts at $25 or even $10, drawing names for extended family and making your holiday party a potluck. Decide on Your Christmas List. Some people only shop for close family and friends. Other people buy Christmas presents for work colleagues. Decide on what you are comfortable with. Keep a general idea of how much you will spend on each person. For instance, you will likely spend more money on your immediate family than on a co-worker. Avoid the dreaded late December panic for inspiration by making a list of what you need in advance plus add budgets so you don’t have the last minute panics. Start by making a three-column list and write the names of all of the people you need to get gifts for in the first column. In the second column, distribute your gift budget among the names. In the third column, list the stores you might need to visit. Listen for Clues and Brainstorm Ideas. Have a rough idea of what Christmas presents would please the people on your list. Brainstorm ideas, and them write them down with your list. Listen to the person or other people for ideas, and write them down too. Keep this list in an easy-to-carry form, tucked away in your wallet or purse for quick reference. Get Creative and Give Memories “Gifts of your time are so meaningful today because people are so chronically busy,” says author Nancy Twigg. “Giving someone your time shows that you care enough to sacrifice one of your most valuable commodities. Unlike store-bought presents, these gifts are not duplicable and will be the source of memories for years to come.” Think creatively and be sensitive to the person’s needs and likes. Twigg suggests giving homemade coupons redeemable for babysitting for the young couple who cannot take a night off, a day of housecleaning for the overworked mum or care for an adult’s elderly parent for the day so the caregiver can get out of the house. Shop Early Beat the crowds, and the spread the cost, by stretching your shopping out, rather than pack it in to the last 3 days (Guys, we’re looking at you here!). When you shop early in the season, the selection is better. Plus, shop early in the day to avoid crowds. Make it fun and save money by rising early to take advantage of “early-bird” deals. Completing your shopping early will give you peace of mind and allow you to enjoy the holidays more. Shop Online The selection is good and you can beat the crowds. Why not shop online for Christmas gifts? This step also will save you a trip to the post office when you need to send items to relatives and friends. There are plenty of deals that pop up as the Christmas holiday season begins, so don’t miss out! If you are stuck for ideas for what to get your son or daughter for Christmas then check out The ICONIC Edition for some great fashion inspiration. know your partner’s sizes then sites like The Iconic are great for things like men’s shirts and can be delivered in as little as 3 hours so your son or hubby can wear their new gear on Christmas Day. Combine Trips Save petrol, money and your sanity. Before you head out, comb your gift lists and create lists for each type of store you’ll need to visit: department, home improvement, speciality (books, sporting goods or electronics) and chain retailer. Follow your lists and resist the urge to throw in extras that will add stress and blow budgets. Skip Spontaneous Shopping When you are done, relax! Enjoy yourself and your family. Don’t give in to the impulse of adding just one more gift. The gift of your time and your calm demeanour is what your family will appreciate the most. With these tips, you’ll be able to get your shopping done, have a great holiday party and spend some real quality time with those you love. And, ultimately, get to the root of what the season is all about. Keep receipts Make it easy to return unwanted or unsuitable Christmas gifts. A number of stores can also issue gift receipts which don’t have the value printed on them. Remember Christmas is a time to relax and enjoy ourselves. Do you know someone who might benefit from reading Stress Free Christmas Shopping Tips? Then please share it. Stress Free Christmas Shopping Tips