11/25/2018 2 Comments Successful Christmas ShoppingWere any of you guys bold enough to brave the crowd on Black Friday? As much as I love shopping, I never ever go to the store, any store, on Black Friday. In fact, I don’t even leave my house on Black Friday. I stay safely inside and watch the madness go on outside. I do, however, actively take part in the Christmas shopping frenzy. I love Christmas and I love everything leading up to Christmas; decorating, baking cookies, indulging in too much hot chocolate, cooking a ton of appetizers and, of course, shopping for presents. Although I would never trade it for anything, I know Christmas shopping can be pretty overwhelming, not to say downright scary. People are running everywhere (any “December 24th” shoppers out there?), bags are flying, the parking lot is always full... It can be tempting to order everything online and bypass the craziness. But where would be the fun in that? Christmas shopping can be so invigorating! But in order to enjoy the fun, you need to be prepared. Here are a few tips to make sure you can enjoy your Christmas shopping experience to the fullest. 1) Dress the part Christmas shopping starts before you even leave the house. When picking out your clothes that day, make sure you dress appropriately. This is not just regular shopping, this is Christmas shopping! You can’t simply throw on a pair of sweat pants and go. There are some key elements you have to pay attention to. First, the jacket. One of my aunts once told us she had a “shopping jacket”, one that she uses to go shopping. We all kind of laughed about it, but it actually makes a lot of sense. Light, small coats are perfect to walk around all day, especially if you’ll be inside most of the time. Try to find one that you can easily wear open and in which you can move freely. Second, you need comfy shoes. There’s nothing worse than shopping with sore feet. Wear your most comfortable pair of boots and be ready to walk around all day long. Also, make sure your clothes aren’t too warm. Being in a crowd for a long time, walking, carrying things... It can get real warm real fast. I always wear a t-shirt whenever I know that I’ll be shopping, just to be safe. It’s shopping, not a marathon; there’s no need to be profusely sweating. Lastly, make sure your hair stays out of the way. It is super annoying to constantly have to fix your hair, and annoyed shoppers are never successful ones. 2) Have the right bag In the same line of ideas, make sure you’re bringing the right bag with you. No huge purse, bulky backpacks or heavy tote bags. Go for a bag that is light, that doesn’t hurt your shoulders and that allows you to have both hands free. Also, consider the fact that you might find yourself in really tight spaces, surrounded by fragile ornaments. Imagine turning around and knocking over all of those precious articles with your huge bag... Mortifying. The smaller the bag, the better. 3) Make a list, check it twice Christmas shopping isn’t necessarily the best time to go freestyle and test your memory skills. Especially if you want to make it quick and efficient, make sure you have a list ready. A good list should include the names of everyone you need to buy a present for, gift and store ideas for each, and the day for which you’ll need their present. Bring your list with you and put a checkmark next to the name once the task is completed. Crossing names off your list will help you visualize your progress and will, hopefully, give you a little boost. 4) Be in good company Christmas shopping is way more fun with friends. But maybe not with that grumpy friend who hates Christmas and who has social anxiety. If you have a hard time enjoying the whole experience yourself, go with someone who already does. Invite that perky friend who always decorates the house a month early and who already has a Christmas Shopping Plan ready in October. Let their enthusiasm reach you! It’ll make the whole experience so much more enjoyable and, honestly, you have more chances of finding everything you need with the help of that friend (but don’t forget to invite the grumpy friend too, 'cause that would be rude). 5) Take time to refuel Sometimes, all we want is grab the present, pay for it, and head home as fast as we can. That’s great for when there is only one gift remaining on your list, or when you have the luxury of only buying one a day. But when you have 20 presents to find and only 24 hours in which to do it, better take your time. It’s going to take a while anyway, so make sure you’re making the most out of your shopping trip by taking little breaks to refuel. Grab a smoothie or a coffee, sit down for lunch, do a little bit of people watching... Take a little bit of time to sit down, relax and recoup. It can be very tiring to go from store to store in a frenzy, so don’t rush, stay positive, and stay happy. 6) Try and find new places to shop If you’ve been staying in the same neighborhood for a while, you’re probably naturally gravitating towards the same stores over and over again. Try to branch out and find new places. Try that new little antique store that just opened, or visit the mall that is a little bit further from your house. That extra mile can really pay off and make you discover new places you didn’t even know existed. You’ll find new gift ideas, new scenery, and it’ll transform your annual shopping trip into a mini adventure. These are all tips that I use myself, and have been using for the past years. I thoroughly enjoy Christmas shopping for my friends and family, and I hope these help you see the whole experience in a different light too. If, like me, you can’t get enough of Christmas, share your best shopping tips using the hashtag #TeaAndMascara. Happy shopping! Much love,
-TM-
2 Comments
MArc
11/25/2018 04:38:31 pm
What if I have only one pair of boots and jacket....luckily comfortable and light. 😉
Reply
Isabelle Bernuy
11/25/2018 05:02:31 pm
Then you're all set! Worn out boots are the best. ?
Reply
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