Tips for Families: Melt the Stress
of Holiday Shopping
By Liz Hekimian-Williams
Is this a bit eary arriving in your mailbox? I think not.
That is,
if you want to have less stress while holiday
shopping.
Now is the best time for you to get a head start
on tips and
tricks to lower your holiday shopping stress
level. No sense
in getting these tips when it's crunch time already. You
KNOW you'll be exasperated by then!
These tips are especially useful for families with
children.
1. Schedule some shopping time WITH the kids to share
the spirit of the holidays and
emphasize the giving nature of
the season.
2. Schedule some shopping time WITHOUT the kids so
you
can buy things that are
more challenging to get when
their precious eyes
and sensitive ears are nearby.
3. Go shopping online after the kids go to
sleep. Some folks
might even wander into the dark in search of an open 24
hour
neighborhood store. I'd recommend the safety of at-home
shopping though, especially late
at night. It's relaxing,
there are no crowds and you
can even wear your slippers!
4. Go neighborhood store or online shopping while the kids
are at school or while your spouse
or a grandparent is
enjoying time with
them.
5. By early November begin
having a few dinner
conversations about the holidays and discuss what
folks have in mind for one another
in terms of any gift ideas.
Make sure you include the
disclaimer that we don't always
get what we wish for but you never know...
In many families, it is explained that family members enjoy
giving each other some gifts
during the holidays. Others
also discuss religious
significance and spiritual gifts that
can be given and received as
well. Don't forget the
neighbors,
church, synagogue, and non-profit organizations in town
when you're considering gift-giving. Remember that gifts
come in many forms, including service or volunteer
time.
6. Make shop and play dates on the calendar with your
family.
Every two weeks circle a day with plans to shop a little
and then
do something fun together. Maybe you'll want to do
some fun
holiday oriented activity on that day. Keep an eye out for
holiday celebrations or special events that you could combine
with your outing.
7. Get ahold of your Thanksgiving newspaper and plan on
saving some serious money by going bargain
shopping at
Day after Thanksgiving Day sales. Read through the ad
inserts and plot your priorities
for the sales and specials.
There are incredible giveaways and
percent off sales on that
one day per year.
If you go to the Day after
Thanksgiving shopping...
*Choose the most important items you want to try to nab
and plan on going to the store you want your priority items
from FIRST. Then as time and energy allows you'll
make
your rounds to the other
stores.
*Go to bed at a reasonable time and get up EARLY to be
at your most important store at
least 15 minutes before
they open. You will most
likely be standing in line with
fellow bargain hunters. Go
early because there are often
limited quantities of the giveaway
or super bargain priced
sale items.
*Put yourself in the right mood for the mayhem
of shoppers
and lines by facing it with some humor and adventure.
Remind yourself that you're bringing home great items at
excellent prices.
Avoid Day after Thanksgiving shopping,
though, if you normally
become agitated even with your
usual shopping trips.
8. Check online stores for sales and specials
throughout
the season. Maybe you'll even be able to do some Day
after Thanksgiving bargain shopping at home in your
pajamas after all...
9. Make up "love coupons" promising your favorite
people
special favors when they redeem one of the coupons
to you.
Use your imagination and write up coupons
for things you
think they'll enjoy. Also be
willing to follow-through on
whatever you promise! Love coupon examples
include
giving your recipient a back rub, playing some game
together, or making them a
favorite dessert.
10. Purchase gift certificates! This is another good
stress
reliever during the holiday shopping time. They'
re easy to
purchase and there's a large selection
to choose from. The
gift recipient also enjoys being
able to select something they
really like. You can buy
gift certificates for gift shops, bookstores,
entertainment venues, restaurants, neighborhood stores and
online stores.
11. Make homemade items if you have interest, talent,
time,
and a sense of adventure. In order to complete your
handmade gift creations you'll need to plan and start
early.
Many start shopping for supplies and working on their projects
in summer and early fall. You' ll need enough time to finish
your masterpieces in time for
the holidays!
12. Don't worry if you didn't get something right this
time
around or if you had an idea you didn't have time to
implement ... just put it on
the list for next year.
13. Remember that some things are more important than
making sure every gift has a bow on it or that every holiday
card goes out in the mail to
make it just in time for holiday
delivery. What's more
important? YOU! YOUR
FAMILY!
You need to avoid getting sick from all the holiday
stress.
So keep your cool, manage
your holiday shopping stress
and stay relaxed. Then you'll have enough emotional and
physical health so you can embrace the best gifts, and
enjoy special time with
your family and your friends.
About the Author:
Liz Hekimian-Williams is a loving
wife, mom to three active
kids, a mental health counselor, and founder of
Giftsprings.
She provides uplifting gifts and home decor
products, articles,
resources and coaching to help others with home,
family and
© Copyright 2002 Liz Hekimian-Williams
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