Shop online, enjoy a glass of wine and shop with your yummiest friends. These were some of the tips we received to make holiday shopping less stressful and more fun.
This year due to a busy schedule I have turned to shopping on-line. It is discreet; your gifts arrive in a plain box - kids not suspicious; and you don't have to battle crowds at the mall or find a sitter for the kids. Perfect and stress free.
Debbie in Uxbridge, ON I'm Italian and I come from a very large family where there are over 20 kids. The gift buying for all these kids is usually quite stressful. What do you buy everyone; what trends are they into? Last year we started a new tradition that has really taken the stress off of shopping. The first weekend in December the entire family gets together for a potluck dinner and we each buy a gift for our own child. Then Santa makes an appearance and each child gets a gift that we know they will want and like. It takes the
guessing out of shopping and it gives us the opportunity to spend time together as a family instead of worrying about all the gifts we have to buy.
Teresa in Hamilton, ON This is something I do every year to help me with my Christmas shopping. On the weekends I go through all the flyers; and pick out the things that I want to get. On my lunch hour I go to the store; get a person in the store to help me; show them the clippings and in minutes everything is in my cart! I'm back at the office before the hour is done!
Donna in Langley, BC Notice what kids are really playing with--not what is advertised; salivated over; or pushed.. . -It doesn't have to be a toy. It can just be you.
Rachel in Ottawa, ON As a single parent, I find it challenging to give gifts to everyone. My shopping strategy is to spend as little money as possible and yet give gifts that are conscientious, personal and a treat for the recipients.
Jodi in Ladner, BC Go early! There are a few major department stores that open as early as 7:00am on a Saturday - now while some of you yummy mummies may yearn for sleep; I yearn for a quiet; relaxing shopping experience without throngs of people; long lineups and a shortage of sales help. Not so for the early morning shopper - you would be surprised how quiet the stores are at this hour. Grab a coffee or latte and enjoy a leisurely shopping experience - no lines; no hustle; no bustle = NO HASSLE (and often some great savings; too!) What's not to like?
Shelley in Mississauga, ON Take your child to a great toy store with intentions of buying a gift for your child's friend/cousin etc. Take note of the toys your child gushes over the most and then while you "Go to pay for the gift" you can sneak your child's faves to the check-out. Trust me; they will be so occupied they'll never notice!
Laurie in Sarnia, ON Make a list of who you need to buy for; add the following columns to your list: price of gift; where it was bought; and date bought; then attach an envelope to the back of your list where receipts from purchases will be kept; that way if you need to return/exchange you have everything in one spot!
Karin in Winnipeg, MB
Double-check EVERY receipt before you leave the store! This time of year is very busy for retailers; and it is easy for a harried clerk to double-swipe an item or forget to include a sale price. So far this season; I have saved us from being overbilled by $75.00 at two different stores by double-checking our receipts!
Jael in Gatineau, PQ If you are going to give small budgets; say for friends' children (ie 10-20 dollars) it is really not worth the aggrevation to go find a gift for that amount and chances are it is not a worth while investment for the bearer either so agree to all go for a great christmas lunch/dinner/spa treatment instead and enjoy each other's company - that is what the christmas spirit is all about anyway - kids remember playmates a lot more than the toys they played with!
Alison in Woodbridge, ON Never shop with your kids and husband! Take a day off work if you have to; make a list and map out your destinations. At the end of the shopping day treat yourself to a pedicure (make sure the spa/salon can serve cocktails)...now that's a perfect end to a successful shopping day.
Julianna in Toronto, ON
Never be disappointed again on sale day because the product is all sold out or the selection is low. Go in a couple days before the sale begins and pay full price; keep the receipt and the flyer then leisurely over the valid time line of the flyer go to the service counter to be refunded to the sale price. Major stores only stock limited sale items as they expect when you show up and the item is gone you will buy up. Also; when you purchase an item for $100 or more; watch flyers for the next 30 days and if you find it
lower the store where you purchased the item will reimburse you the difference (I just did it with outdoor speakers and put $113 in my pocket).
Michelle in Port Coquitlam, BC
Trade off playdates with another yummy mummy so you can get in and out without distraction (unless you want to be distracted; that is!) Then have the other child over so her mummy can do her shopping!
Erin in Sherwood Park, AB My favorite tip would be to use your points...there are so many programs out there that we are collecting points for...instead of using them on yourself; use them to buy a great gift for someone. You can even use them to buy gift cards to make other purchases. They accumulate fast with other purchases and quite often people are just holding on to them...
Tracy in Regina, SK
The best shopping tip I have is this: Take the double stroller with you to the mall; but leave the kids at home. The stroller will let you pile up your bags of Christmas Shopping. You'll be less tired from not having to hold all your bags and you won't have to worry about accidently leaving a shopping bag behind. It'll be easier to take your shopping bags to the car and it makes great conversation when people look at you wondering where you have forgotten your children. Have fun shopping with your baby stroller!
Sofia in North Vancouver, BC Divide and conquer. Give your significant other a very specific list of items to buy - stores; item name and description; price; and if you know where it can be found in the store. This frees up your time for the harder-to-buy-for people on your list and ensures that he makes a significant and positive contribution to the Christmas shopping efforts. Let's face it - who knows what he would come back with if you left him to his own devices - a gun for your 2 year old son and a chastity belt for your 1 year old daughter!
Lauralei in Aurora, ON
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