Christmas shopping - how to NOT stress about it

Ah Christmas, we do love you. 

We love the reason for the season, the traditions, the smell of the tree, the stockings, the excitement.

What many of us do NOT love however, is Christmas shopping. Even just those two words combined into one short sentence..."Christmas, shopping" can be enough to strike fear into the heart of the most well organised and well monied of those among us.

There are different reasons why people find Christmas shopping stressful, let me list the reasons that come to mind:

• Money, or lack there-of
• What to buy for whom?
• Where to find what you're looking for
• Battling the crowds
• No time to shop
• Fighting the feeling of over-consumerism

The minimalists among us will struggle with buying things that we, ourselves, deem frivolous, as gifts for others. We pray to whatever God we worship that the influx of toys and gifts to our children from others will not be a flood, maybe just a mere river, or better yet, a gentle spring.

The perfectionists among us will stress over finding that perfect something they just KNOW will be right, or will be concerned that they have NO IDEA what to buy for whomever.

Those on a low income will have obvious concerns, affording anything at all for their nearest and dearest.

On a higher income, you may feel the weight of expectations from those around you who are aware of your financial positions.

Unless you're ready to bow out of the commercial side of Christmas altogether, what all of us need is a plan.
A plan!

A Christmas shopping plan of attack; tip, ideas and practical solutions for our Christmas shopping woes. And it's never too early in the year to start.

Stay tuned, a plan of sorts, some options and ideas for you are on their way....