Today was a very productive day for me in Christmas shopping land. It was also a good one for most of the people I met out there. I say that because I went early enough to not have to deal with the Scrooge’s of the world. I actually came across some very pleasant people.
This year, I am sticking pretty much to a plan, and a list. It isn’t that I never have done that before, it’s just that I always meander away from it. Not this year. We are on a tighter budget than earlier years. Could be the money spent a few weeks ago on a new heating and cooling system, and then this past week, my car. After all, it’s not supposed to be just about the presents, right?
As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t do Black Friday. There are still great sales out there, especially now. It almost seems some big department stores are giving it away. I was able to scratch off several people from my list today. Of course I will need a few more trips, but getting over the first hump is quite satisfying. Early day shopping is more to my liking anyway. I didn’t have to wait in lines for too long, and the sales people even seemed a bit more friendly.
So the plan for me this year was to do groups of family. Today was devoted to the kids and their significant others. Next up will be my husband. Since we are a small family, it takes less time, but it takes longer to think of gift ideas. I leave my husband’s side to him usually. That’s the most shopping he does during the year anyway. Plus he likes buying my stuff. I can’t argue with that!
Christmas stockings are usually on the cheap. Since there are 5 to do, I am very strategic about where and what I buy to fill them. Now I usually put something a little nicer at the bottom, but no one realizes it because they just dump them out all at once. This year the rule will be one at a time and no dumping!
I was also able to get boxes with all of my purchases that required them. That in itself made for a good day. We have plenty up in the attic, but some are approaching silver anniversaries themselves. This family is a box family for the most part. Bags are only used on huge oddly shaped things, that just won’t fit in a box.
My next shopping date may be this Sunday, or if not next weekend. That will be crunch time for me, since I make it a point not to shop all the way up to Christmas Eve. As long as I stick to the agenda, I will have no problem. Christmas shopping is supposed to be fun right? Well,maybe not for everyone since I also saw some miserable looking people out there today too. Perhaps they didn’t have a plan, or are approaching it all the wrong way.
A suggestion to them would be to approach it as a pleasant experience. We buy gifts for family and friends on other special occasions i.e. weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.. The only difference is it’s Christmas and yes you might be buying a bit more. But the reason is you love those who will be receiving them. Stop thinking of it as a chore. Think of them and smile that they will love you no matter what they open on Christmas morning. Maybe that will take just a bit of the stress away!