Have Yourself a Merry Stress-Free Christmas... (Shopping Tips)

Christmas is in the air! People are beginning to rejoice. There’s this distinct feeling of euphoria being experienced by everybody every time this season comes. Each of us wants to make it a true season of joy. And because of this, a sort of pressure within us builds up as Christmas gets nearer. For most of us, Christmas season is also coined invisibly with the word – “Christmas Shopping…”


In this time of tough economy, money becomes a major issue, as we approach December 25th, the pressure becomes a lot stronger resulting to lots of stress as to the various preparations we need to make like Foods, Gifts and Clothing. For many of us, these are the main ingredients in order to keep up with this supposed “Season of Joy and Giving!”


Here are my favorite tips of a stress-free Christmas shopping:


Tip #1: Prepare a budget and Stick to it.
If you just barged into a shopping mall without careful planning on what you will spend, you’re like a soldier marching to the battlefield without any weapon or map. Chances are you’ll be overspending and next New Year won’t be a happy one for you.. Remember that there are other “seasons” to come next year that needs your financial resources too. You’ll be better off if you plan and make a budget and stick to your plans. Too much Christmas emotion may cause you financial troubles few months after..


Tip #2 Avoid using credit cards.
Once you have your budget finalized, stay away from credit cards! You will still spend 12-18% more if you use plastic, and you’ll be paying it off come 2011! Doesn’t paying with cash sound more freeing than having a credit card balance looming over your head? You bet.


Tip #3 Listen.
Listen to the hints your loved ones drop about what they need or want this year. Maybe your 'Tita Meoww" mentioned that she would love someone to help her in the garden, or "Tito Kambz" keeps losing guitar picks. A thoughtful gift like this will mean a lot.


Tip #4 Haggle.. Haggling is an art, and my wife is a great artist, I would say. I'm always amazed how she gets away with more than half of the original price. At the very least, she tells me, ask for a half price off so when you meet halfway, it's always at least 25% savings. Be prepared to walk away when it's not the price you want. Chances are, they'll go after you. This is especially true if you shop in “tiangge” or night markets. But there’s no harm in trying it with department stores and malls.


Tip #5 Don’t wait until the last minute.
If you make a last minute shopping, choices for gifts, especially with toys, become very limited and usually what are left on shelves are the expensive ones. Those gifts that have low prices are usually sold out by that time. Procrastination is not the most appealing gift out there. Don’t find yourself stressed out on Christmas Eve just because you didn’t invest a little bit of time to plan.

Tip# 6 This early, Plan for next year’s Christmas.
Throughout the next year, look for outrageous sales on things your loved ones will need. If you time the sales just right and clip some coupons, you could land a major discount on something you were going to buy in a few months for a birthday or wedding gift. Remember to have a list and budget for this, too.

Tip #7 Don’t Forget the reason why we celebrate.
If this season becomes all about shopping and gifts, you’ve missed the whole point. People—not things—matter. The miraculous birth of a baby who changed the world is what matters.


PS: I love tip# 7 . No matter what financial situation we are in, Don’t forget that we always have a choice. Let’s choose to be happy this Holiday Season because sometime around 2000 years ago, God came down, became one of us and gave His Life to save mankind from further self destruction. He showed us the way how to live happily forever. I think there are no riches nor any resources on this planet can ever surpass that. It’s the greatest gift of all and that’s the reason why we are celebrating. Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

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