Shopping can be a minefield at the best of times but Christmas can present even more challenges.
Simply finding the time to go shopping can be a pain and if you work 9-5, finding a time that is quiet is even harder. To make your shopping just that little bit easier, here are a couple of tips on ways that you can streamline your Christmas shopping, no matter who you are shopping for.
Make a list and have a budget
A good place to start with Christmas shopping is considering who you actually need to buy for. There is nothing worse than finding yourself on a busy high street with no idea who you are shopping for.
We have all been there but when you don’t have the time for this, a list makes it 10x easier and allows you to see the progress you’ve made.
In addition, it is good to set a budget for each person and place that by their name so you have an idea of how much you want to spend. Definitely a good idea if you are buying presents for the office, you don’t want to miss anyone out!
Search online but shop in store and support Local businesses
Even though I do the majority of my shopping in store, I start off by looking online to see what is available each year. It helps to give me ideas but due to the endless amount of options, you could end up searching websites for weeks.
Once you’ve got a general idea of what you want, either check if can pick it up in store (it limits your browsing time) or if they don’t have it in store, look for something similar.
It is also a good idea to explore local businesses. The high street is slowly dying due to the online market but you can find some unique and unusual gifts in local stores.
However, if you do shop online, don’t forget to check your office policy on personal packages. You do not want something arriving, just to have it rejected.
Buy gifts that you can personally recommend
Finding gifts can be tricky but a key part in giving a gift is feeling confident with it and a good way of feeling confident about it is if you have tried whatever it is you are gifting; or at the very least if you can recommend it.
Get a gift receipt and do not be offended if it has been used
Always get a gift receipt and don’t get too offended if the receiver does use it. At least if you have a gift receipt, they can get what they want and you’ve had a good go at it!
Don’t forget, it’s not all about the material aspect of a present
We’ve all heard the incredibly cheesy saying, ‘that it’s the thought that counts.’ Sometimes the gesture is enough to brighten someone’s day. It’s as simple as someone knowing they are appreciated for what they do.
No matter what, shopping at Christmas is always going to be a struggle. When you eventually leave the office the last thing you want to do is spend more time with people. However, hopefully some of these shopping tips will help you get your shopping done quicker so you can enjoy the festivities of the season.
