By: Aby Garvey
Whether you love to shop (or dread it) there are a number of other enjoyable ways to spend your time during the holidays than at the shopping mall with swarms of other people. If the thought of battling the crowds has you singing the blues, simplify your shopping by getting it all done in one day. Sound impossible? Here’s the simple plan we use year after year to make holiday shopping a single, fun-filled day.
Find a Shopping Companion
The best case scenario is to shop with your husband or significant other, because, quite simply, they have the same list of people to buy for. What, he hates to shop? Yes, my husband does too. But, I have to tell you, spending a whole day together, alone, without children is a great treat for both of us. Sure we spend some time in the man-dreaded malls, but we also hit his favorite spots like electronics stores and a wine and cheese market. Another great thing about shopping with your honey is that it gives you both a chance to show the other person what’s topping your wish list this year. Clever, eh?
Pick a Day
Select a day that works well for you and your companion. Choosing a weekday or even a Saturday in November is a sure way to avoid large crowds. Consider taking a day off for your shopping marathon, if you work full time and have vacation time left. If this isn’t possible, start your shopping extravaganza early on a Saturday morning before the crowds get too thick. Then take a long, late lunch and finish up your shopping during the dinner hour.
Hire a Baby Sitter
Or dog sitter or any other service provider you need to make it possible to be away from home for an entire day.
Make a List
A key to getting your shopping done in a single day is preplanning and capturing your plans on a simple list.
Column 1: the names of every person you are buying for this year.
Column 2: gift ideas for each person on the list. Be as specific as possible. To get all of your shopping done in one day, make as many buying decisions ahead of time as possible. You can do research on the Internet for great gift ideas or ask your friends and family if they have something special on their wish list this year.
Column 3: store name. Write down where you will purchase each item on your list. Limit the number of stores as much as possible to keep your travel time to a minimum. Remember, your goal is to finish in just one day!
Shop Online First
Once you have your list made up, look for opportunities to purchase items on-line. This is ultra convenient if you’re shopping for out of town friends and relatives, just be sure to shop early and look carefully at the website’s shipping policies and deadlines. Add gift wrap, a nice note and you’re done. How many people can you mark off your list without even leaving your home?
Chart Your Course
Now with your pared-down list in hand, take a look at all of the stores you need to go to. Figure out the most efficient route to get from store to store, and you’re ready to shop! One last thing, try to end your shopping trip very close to your favorite restaurant. Call ahead to make a reservation and you’ll have extra incentive for getting it all done!
Shop!
All that’s left to do is hit the stores. Good luck!!
Aby Garvey is a professional organizer and the owner of simplify 101, inc. Her mission is to help you create time and space for what matters most in your home and life. Aby is the author of the e-book “the happy scrapper – simple solutions to get organized and get scrapping!” Visit the simplify 101 website for organizing ideas and to subscribe to Aby’s organizing email newsletter.