Make a Master List|Make a Master List
Shop Online First|Shop Online First
Now you can start shopping—online, of course! If you can get it delivered to your door, you save time and avoid stress. Whatever's leftover (it's OK to have some leftovers), head out to the mall or your favorite shopping superstore—and don't forget your lists.
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Now you can start shopping—online, of course! If you can get it delivered to your door, you save time and avoid stress. Whatever's leftover (it's OK to have some leftovers), head out to the mall or your favorite shopping superstore—and don't forget your lists.
Watch Your Timing|Watch Your Timing
If possible, try shopping at actual stores over your lunch hour, or take some time off during the workday. If there's a way to avoid shopping in the evenings or on weekends, take advantage of it. (If it's online shopping, then anything goes!)
Pace Yourself
Don't try to do it all in one day or even in one weekend. Remember, you can shop up until Christmas Eve. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
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Don't try to do it all in one day or even in one weekend. Remember, you can shop up until Christmas Eve. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
Don't Procrastinate
That said, don't wait until the last minute for all your gifts. Get ones you have to ship or hand over before Christmas out of the way as early as you can. Save the last few shopping days for just a few more things or people you might have overlooked.
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That said, don't wait until the last minute for all your gifts. Get ones you have to ship or hand over before Christmas out of the way as early as you can. Save the last few shopping days for just a few more things or people you might have overlooked.
One Thing Per Day|One Thing Per Day
Don't shop for the holidays on the same day that you'll be attending a party. Create your holiday calendar now and schedule in shopping days. Get off your feet during the day of a Christmas party, relax and get your hair blown out. You'll want to show up fresh and relaxed, not frazzled and half put together.
Budget
Nothing is more stressful than watching money fly out of your hands, particularly if times are tight. When you make your first list, note how much you have to spend at the top and pencil in how much you can afford to spend on each person on the list. Stick to specified dollar amounts. Don't bring a $20 gift to the $10-maximum gift exchange.
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Nothing is more stressful than watching money fly out of your hands, particularly if times are tight. When you make your first list, note how much you have to spend at the top and pencil in how much you can afford to spend on each person on the list. Stick to specified dollar amounts. Don't bring a $20 gift to the $10-maximum gift exchange.
