What are your best tips for conquering Christmas shopping?

Question

Thanks for the answers so far. For more info why not check http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/features/natalie-portman.html

Answer 1

I make up the list throughout the year - people casually mention things they'd like, so I note it down for use at a later date. If I know they got it or changed their minds, I cross it out.

Otherwise, I'm left with four or five presents that they'll like and casually fish around to see how they still feel - for example, I might say I was thinking of getting one of (product here) which leads to a conversation. Therefore, it narrows it down.

Before I go, I look on the internet to see which shops sell them or I phone up; then, I reserve them if possible, so that I'm not rushing around trying to find the gift.

To actually do it, I go into the nearest city with a couple of friends and do it all in one day; this is usually early to mid December - it feels festive, but not rushed. We all disappear for about half an hour to buy each other's gifts, otherwise we have a fun time together, looking at the various gifts. They get to laugh that I record every penny I spend, we find it amusing that one looks everywhere and buys the first item she saw.

It's a good time, provided I'm prepared for it; the year I just went on a whim, it was chaos.

Answer 2

Hi, Most of the answers you have had seem to be on the "buy on line syndrome" That is so impersonal and spoils the spirit of Christmas, not that it;s already spoilt with todays financial situation. Buying on line has many defaults, such as tracking cookies that can take you credit card number and code and be used by another person. Order that are not recieved on time, or the fact that you look on line for what seems ages only to find there not avaliable. I prefer the old fashion way of shopping, getting my toes stepped on, being pushed here and every where, but the best thing I like about Christmas shopping is the music, be it the Salvation band playing on the street corner, or CD versions Christmas carols. My way of conquering Christmas is to first see what the financial state is first, you don't want to end up with paying overdrawn payments or having your card not go through at the cashiers desk. Personally, I wonder around the shops (pre season)taking a look with a pen and list of names, note each person and each gift they will recieve including the name of the store. When the buying season starts, I know where I am going, who is getting what and how much it is going to cost me, leaving me enough for a bottle of Brandy and some hay for the reigndeer because I can't go getting a cold for Christmas eve, think of all the children who will miss out. but what ever you are doing over the christmas, give a thought to the child that was born this day and wish him a merry Christmas to. Have a great one

Answer 3

Hello! My tips for conquering Christmas shopping is quite simple really, cause I've just finished Christmas Shopping last saturday and Im really pleased :)

Tip 1: Go out with friends and make it a normal shopping trip so you can forget the pressures of Christmas shopping and have fun at the same time. Be sure to bring lots and lots of money, otherwise you'll regret it when you see loads of things you want to buy yet you dont have enough :( happened to me and it was terrible lol.

Tip 2: If you really want to avoid the queues and the cold outside and really don't feel like trudging into town - no worries, online shopping will do. If you browse carefully there are many great deals online as well as in the shops and they often send it to your house for free.

Tip 3: Make the Christmas Shopping List months before December comes. That way you know exactly what you want to get, and Stick To It! Your Christmas Shopping will be over in a jiffy :]

Good Luck! x x x

Answer 4

I can see why that's such an attractive prospect. But I prefer the 'hands on' approach. I love getting out into the West End and browsing through the stores. And it's not as scary as you might think. If you go in the morning just as the shops are open, there is likely to be more to choose from on the shelves as they are restocked every night, and, for the most part, you get pretty much the whole shop to yourself! The hardened shoppers and tourists very rarely venture out until at least midday, so you have a good couple of hours to browse and buy without any of the hassle of being shoved every which way by the thousands of people that will be there by evening

Answer 5

We don't buy any presents this year in our family. We will just spend the holidays together without the stress of having to buy each other loads of pointless stuff and wasting a lot of money on it. I'm not religious and the originally pagan tradition of putting a tree in your house doesn't mean a lot to me anyway. It will still be nice to spend time together with good food. Christmas is far too much about consumerism and it makes you wonder what all the madness has got to to with the original idea behind Christmas. By the way, what do you have to sell at the moment, Natalie. A new movie, perhaps? ; )

Answer 6

Everyone always goes to the bigname stores or the big name malls.
Instead go to those small stores on the corner or in the country, because that is where the true spirit of Christmas is-the shops are family run and the items within the store will not be found anywhere else.
So get your gifts, not from the mall, go to the smaller unique shops where you be welcomed and ,maybe you will meet some nice people aswell.
Hope that answers yourquestion Natalie.

Answer 7

If you want to cram all your christmas shopping into a couple of hours, risk getting late deliveries and suck all the fun out of christmas shopping then go ahead and buy online.

My advice would be to take some friends and do some real shopping for a few days. Most cities are actually quite pretty at christmas with their decorations, even more so if your lucky enough to have snow :)

No doubt you will find yourself on the end of long queues and encounter some grumpy people, but theres always more people who are excited about christmas so just take it easy. Don't forget to stop off for a break, nice hot chocolate and RELAX - don't buy too much at once because then the queues really will get to you, and carrying lots of heavy bags isn't fun :P

Just have fun an enjoy the festivity! :)

Answer 8

Take some of the stress out of Christmas. Don't wait until the Christmas season begins to start thinking about it. Plan ahead and you'll enjoy it even more.
Make a list of the people you want to buy gifts for: Recipients. Keep it with you as a reminder, or at the least, keep it in your head. Open your eyes and window shop. When you see something you know you like, go ahead and buy it.
Christmas can be a pleasure, even before the season begins. Enjoy your window-shopping whether it's in the stores or on the Internet. But be ready to buy when you see something you like. Make your choices wisely and keep up with your lists. Following this plan will be a great stress reliever come Christmas time. Have fun and keep on enjoying Christmas.

Answer 9

There's a lot of people on here opting for the 'buy online' option, and I can see why that's such an attractive prospect. But I prefer the 'hands on' approach. I love getting out into the West End and browsing through the stores. And it's not as scary as you might think. If you go in the morning just as the shops are open, there is likely to be more to choose from on the shelves as they are restocked every night, and, for the most part, you get pretty much the whole shop to yourself! The hardened shoppers and tourists very rarely venture out until at least midday, so you have a good couple of hours to browse and buy without any of the hassle of being shoved every which way by the thousands of people that will be there by evening :o)

Answer 10

My Godmother buys all her Christmas presents in the January sales - so rather than getting frazzled in the run-up to Christmas - which is a crazy time anyway - she is out shopping for bargains - she figures it's the most sensible option as you're going to go out shopping in the January sales anyway.

I personally don't have any good tips - this year I am going on holiday for the first time for the duration of Christmas and New Years and plan to buy my presents while away. However it is an absolute joy, so far, not to have had to worry about Christmas cards (everyone's on email these days anyway so I end up sending e-cards to everyone except my parents and close family), decorating the house etc. etc. and to mentally tell myself that Christmas is cancelled every time I am tempted to buy something in that irrational feeling that I'm sure most of us get that "we might run out"!!!

Whatever and wherever, hope you have a very happy and peaceful Christmas and hope 2008 is great.

Answer 11

West End and browsing through the stores. And it's not as scary as you might think. If you go in the morning just as the shops are open, there is likely to be more to choose from on the shelves as they are restocked every night, and, for the most part, you get pretty much the whole shop to yourself! The hardened shoppers and tourists very rarely venture out until at least midday, so you have a good couple of hours to browse and buy without any of the hassle of being shoved every which way by the thousands of people that will be there by evening :o)