How to avoid the crazy Christmas rush
Member feature by : Michelle of VA Connect
Yes it’s that time of year, yet again, we are fast approaching December! We all know that time speeds up as the end of the year approaches, and before you know it, the Christmas panic will set in! For many Christmas and the holiday season are a happy and joyous time, enriched by reuniting with family and friends, it can also be extremely stressful in the lead-up to pull it all together!
For many, December is going to be one of the most expensive months of the year, with Christmas presents forming a large chunk of it.
Some people might argue that you can never start too early with your Christmas shopping as, after all, the best sales are there right after Christmas ends! But let’s be realistic, most of us will not think about next year’s Christmas shopping for at least another 8 to 10 months after the hectic December months have passed.
Have you done your shopping? Do you want to wait until the last day to start doing your shopping? There are many advantages of doing your shopping early. By shopping early for Christmas, you avoid the hassles that come with the last day shopping. The Christmas period is characterised by customers jamming supermarkets, stores and shops as they make frantic efforts to do their shopping.
Here are some tips for stress free Christmas shopping
In the true spirit of Christmas, you can spend less time worrying about your shopping and more time with the people that matter most to you with these handy tips.
Make a list
A little bit of planning can make a huge difference to your peace of mind.
Budget
Decide on a budget and stick to it. Work out how much money you want to spend per person, and whatever you do, don’t be tempted to go over the limit.
Shop when it’s quieter
Early mornings are best as you won’t feel pressurised and can take your time making gifting decisions and avoid long queues.
Shop Online
If you absolutely have no time to hit the malls or can’t stand the Christmas traffic, online shopping will save your day. Not only does this allow you to stay away from the busy traffic and crowded shopping centers, that are inevitable during the holiday season, but it also enables you to do your Christmas shopping at any time.
Avoid peak hours
Weekends and weeknights are the busiest times during the holidays. Avoid the shopping rush and come on weekdays instead, preferably in the early morning or afternoon.
Give gift cards
You can’t really go wrong with gift cards, they’re incredibly practical for both you and the person receiving the gift. Not only will buying gift cards significantly cut down your shopping time and stress, they also allow the people you’re giving them to the freedom to get what they want.
Hopefully, by taking these tips to heart, you can avoid all the rush and stress this year and have a jolly good time instead!
For more about Michelle and how VA Connect can assist your business to grow, please visit our members page.