Christmas is Around the Corner
Christmas is around the corner…and it’s watching me. Staring at my every move.
“Oh, what big eyes you have holiday season!” say I.
“All the better to see you with, my dear!”
“Oh My!” say I.
I do really like Christmas holidays, but stress often comes along with all the celebrations. Here are my tips for making the experience sweet like dancing sugar plums versus getting decked by halls of shopping malls.
See Santa Early for Photos
I usually phone the mall at the start of November to find out when Santa will be at the mall and at what time. It’s generally around mid-November on a weekend. I go on the very first day Santa is there and as soon as he starts in the morning. Every year I’ve done this, there has been virtually no line up. The other option is to find malls that offer a callback service. You give them your cell phone number and you can go off shopping. Staff will call you when it’s time to come back for your pictures. This year I tried this, and it worked well.
Shop Early & Slowly
I try to shop like the turtle and not the hare – slow and steady win the race. Make sure if you are shopping before December, that the store will accept Christmas returns and keep your receipts in case something does need to go back. It’s also a good idea if you are doing this to keep a list of what you’ve bought and where you hid it. Sometimes I find I’m like a squirrel who hid nuts everywhere in the forest and then can’t remember where I put them all. I also like shopping online. Not only do I avoid crowds, I like getting packages in the mail.
Give the Gift of Not Giving
Talk with friends and family so everyone can save time and money – by not getting each other presents. Nowadays, so many people have what they want or will just go out and buy what they want right away. Instead of giving gifts to go under the tree – why not spend quality time together with family and friends. Go ice-skating, sledding, skiing, go for a walk or even have a family snowball fight.
Make Christmas Dinner Potluck
Don’t take on all of Christmas dinner and the rainbow assortment of side dishes. Do the main stay staples of turkey, stuffing and gravy — but after that, parcel out the other items. Have someone bring salad, the potatoes, the dessert, etc. People are usually always offering to help, so let them do so.
These are a few tips for having more merry in your Christmas holiday. Go see Santa early, shop slow and steady, if there is anyone you can give the gift of not giving – go for it. And last but not least, have a potluck Christmas dinner.
Christmas is waiting to spring out sooner than expected, but the good thing is you can prepare for it. Well, if not this year, there is always next year. 🙂
