Christmas is fast approaching and we all have a few days left to complete our list of holiday gifts to give away. By this time, any store would be crowded with people doing one same thing– gift shopping. Before you panic, take a step back, breathe, and let’s go over your gift-shopping game plan.
Have a Checklist
Before heading out that door, make sure you have a checklist or a mental note at the very least. During the holiday rush, gift-shopping is not a walk in the park. With countless people flooding malls and shops, you wouldn’t want to go back and forth opposite directions trying to decide which items to buy. So have a checklist to save yourself some time and energy.
Maximize Your Time
Now take a look at your list and be realistic with how much time you’re going to need, given the heavy traffic on the road, crowded malls, and long queues at the check-out counter. With just traffic, at least 2 hours is off your clock, unless the mall is at your doorstep. Go for a hassle-free gift shopping trip and book a hotel room at minimum walking distance to the mall. That way, you don’t only get to skip the traffic, but you also get the comfort and luxury of a holiday staycation, complete with a hearty buffet breakfast and excellent service.
Always Ask for a Gift Bag
Unless you find gift-wrapping therapeutic or just utterly necessary, ask for a gift bag from the stores you purchase items from. More often than not, they’d be happy to provide one for free. Then you can save yourself the extra time and effort you would have had to spend wrapping your gifts. Plus, whoever you give these gifts to could use a handy bag to carry their gifts in on their way home.
Have a Shopping Buddy
With the long queues at check-out counters and all sorts of deals to choose from, you’re going to need some solid moral support and and a co-decision maker. Bring a friend, your lover, or your son or daughter to keep your company and help you out. Just make sure you help them out too.
