I just got back from my first Christmas shopping foray. This, of course, puts me into the "last minute" camp of Christmas shopping. Though with 2 days to go it's not technically "last minute".
While I don't find shopping a drag it's not at the top of my list, either. I tend to put it off. This has advantages. One tends to be far more focused. At least, I am. And I tend to do less second guessing.
The radio said this is typically the busiest shopping day of the year. I didn't find it bad at all. A couple tricks I've learned that makes it a bit easier:
- Whine like hell for a list. If you don't get one and the recipient doesn't get what they want, well, who's fault is that?
- Plan for 2 to 3 shopping forays. If you're done in one, bonus.
- Go first thing when stores open or late evening, definitely quieter.
- Have some kind of idea of what you're looking for, this usually involves a list.
- Never wander around aimlessly looking for inspiration. The chances of randomly spotting the perfect present are little to none. Better to grab a coffee and free associate for ideas than wander aimlessly.
- If you start getting cranky, think forward to Christmas day (or backwards to past Christmases) and remember the goal. This is a labour of love. If it isn't, buy chocolates, booze, or a Hickory Farms gift basket and save yourself the stress
- If all else fails and you haven't found anything: Chocolates, booze, or a Hickory Farms gift basket. Yah, it's the same thing you buy for the people who aren't worth the shopping stress, only you've done it after you've put in the mall stress time so your karma is still ok. And hey, if the recipients don't know where they stand without the gift, you have other problems.
For myself, so far, so good. All done except for 2 gifts. I can't think of a time when it hasn't taken a least 2 forays in the shopping jungle, so right on track. With the stores open late, I might even pop out again this evening.
The two remaining gifts are for my niece and nephew. This could be tough. I'm seriously thinking of giving them an IOU.
I've asked a few women I know about ideas for my niece. When they heard she's 16ish, to a person their eyes rolled and their face got this "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here" look. Then they snap out of it and say, "Abandon Hope, for better shoppers than thou hath failed. Get thee to a gift certificate counter". Ah, gift certificates. That's a whole other blog. I did get a very abbreviated list from my niece, so I'm still trying.
My nephew? I'm free associating over a coffee.
