At the end of a long work day the last thing any working mother wants to do is go Christmas shopping. So here are a few tips to help take the stress out of the holidays.
Here Goes:
* Write a list of everything you need for the holidays: food, presents, decorations, everything. Then split this list into items you can buy online and those you have to go out for.
* Buy everything that you can online. This way you can sit down with a nice glass of wine or cup of coffee and order your groceries and presents in a stress free environment. You buy anything from $2.00 decorations to a full set of drums of the internet. If you are internet savvy (be aware of dodgy sites) then this can be a great way to get (almost) everything online.
* Don’t go shopping after work (well duh I here you say). If you have a list of the things that you have to leave home for then choose a day when you can get to the shops early.
* Don’t spend your whole holidays shopping. If you choose one day and arrive as soon as the mall opens then you can be in and out before the masses arrive.
* Don’t take the kids shopping. Sorry, but they will slow you down and irritate you further when they are dawdling through the busy shops.
* Recruit a holiday helper. Your partner, mum, dad, brother, sister or in-laws are all great people who you can ask for help from. If they are going to a particular place during the day and you can’t make it, give them a list of things that you need and some cash to pay for it.
* Want different gifts? Then how about steering clear of the big shopping complexes altogether. Every city has a little, quiet, hidden hideaway full of fantastic goodies. It is also a good way to support local businesses.
* Do you have a big family? Then a Secret Santa always work well. Each Family member pulls one name out of a hat and you buy for that person. You can spend a little more on the present and spend less time at the shops.
* Buy in July. In Australia we have our huge toy sales and stocktake sales in July this is a great time to layby all your kiddy's toys for Christmas and purchase some pressies at bargain prices.
* Hamper it! There are many companies that advertise hampers during the Christmas period. This is where you select a hamper or hampers from a catalogue and pay a bit each week and receive your hamper(s) before Christmas the next year. They have food, drink, toy, recreation and even voucher hampers. This can be a great way to plan all your Christmas gifts for next year!
