How To Shop For Christmas With Heart
Traditionally, Christmas is a time of giving and a time where we focus on family and togetherness. However, this “joyful” holiday can sometimes translate to financial stress and pressure to purchase the “perfect” gift.
Today’s blog is aimed at helping you tackle your Christmas shopping list, on budget, on time and with heart.
1. Buying clothes for someone else.
For the courageous few who tackle this and do it well (my husband Calvin deserves a mention here), this is not an easy feat. Clothes need to fit perfectly
and really suit the person. So I recommend:
• Knowing their size as buying too small or too big is not ideal. Also note that different stores have different versions of say a size 12.
• Does it suit their personality? (Make a note of what the person currently wears and perhaps some of their favourite pieces).
• What colours are they usually drawn to?
If you are unsure of clothing try shopping for accessories instead:
• Jewellery/watches
• Perfume/Beauty packs
• Purses/wallets
• Ties for men (forget socks unless perhaps the person has asked for them).
Please Note: With all gifts, be conscious of store refund policies or gift exchange receipts.
2. The Shopping Trip.
Here is some foolproof shopping tips to keep in mind to avoid a stressful experience:
1. Place your mind into the Christmas spirit, as this will assist you with any frustrating moments that may arise while you shop. Happy thoughts people! (Feel free to sing along to the Christmas tunes at your local centre too).
2. Have a list, check it twice and go. (Santa has been telling us this for years).
3. Park near the general area you are attempting to shop in (if possible).
4. Remember there is always someone leaving so have patience in the car park.
5. Know your shop locations: this makes it easier to navigate through a busy shopping centre.
6. Avoid the rush: it’s generally quietest when the shops open at 9am and around school pick up time (approximately 3pm). Also check your local shops for longer trading hours during Christmas.
7. Once in store, while deciding on your gift, feel it, look at other options and really imagine the recipient’s reaction – it should be joyful!
8. Know your prices and stick to your budget. Don’t say you’ll “pay it off after Christmas”. No one wants a nasty credit card bill after the silly season.
9. If there is a queue in the shop, place the item on hold and return later.
10. Ask shop assistants for help as it can save you an abundance of time and perhaps highlight some gift ideas you may not have considered.
3. If you are shopping for yourself (yes, there are some of us out there):
• Have a list and try not to get distracted from it.
• If you can’t find your holiday purchases, make a gift list for husbands/family etc.
• Don’t buy out of desperation as it generally leads to disappointment.
Finally, remember it’s Christmas! There is nothing quite like the buzz and excitement of Christmas carols and excited shop assistants. Always look on the bright side, don’t turn into a grumpy Christmas shopper and most of all have fun!
Have you finished your Christmas shopping?
If you have some Christmas shopping tips please share them below 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Love Cindy xx
Sonja says
Merry Christmas,
I haven’t got on to christmas shopping yet but thought i’d take the opptunity to say merry christmass and thankyou for you blog. Going shopping with you earlier this year and reading your Blog has done ooodles of good in helping me stand taller and walk with confidence so thank you very much and i wish you and your team a very merry Christmas
ox
Cindy says
I’m sooo pleased to hear that what I have done and am still doing with the blogs are making an impact on your style and how you feel. I hope to shop with you again at some stage next year! xo