Every year. Every year Dad manages to leave buying something until Christmas Eve and so there’s a mission task sent out to Rachel and me for the day. As if it isn’t hard enough trying to get everything else sorted, staying calm enough to attempt shopping on the one day shops should be empty is not one of my skill sets. So whether you’re all sorted now, or have any last minute presents still to buy (it’s less than two weeks away!) then today’s post is a little advice for when taking on the shops.

Today’s song? ! Quite appropriate given everything at the minute.  Actually, on that note, we managed to find a Christmas radio station in work! So I have never heard so many different versions of the songs. And yet you don’t notice the time go by! They just make everything so much easier.

Dad, on Christmas Eve, loves to try the trick of “In two days time, this will be on sale. Why don’t you sell it to me for the sale price now?” It is honestly the cringiest thing ever. So today’s blogmas is all about how to survive the shops in the lead u to Christmas!

1. Get up and out early. The sooner you get to those shops, the sooner you get to come home again. Plus, the early bird catches the worm. Want to beat the crowds and get the best parking spaces? Be there the minute the shop opens. Or as close to closing as you can without annoying the staff.
2. Have a list. This is a standard of mine, but it is essential on Christmas Eve when shopping – which I know some people are prone to do. You do not want to be roaming from shop to shop with no idea of what you’re buying. Know what you’re looking for and don’t get distracted.
3. Set a limit. This applies to both price limit and time limit. You don’t want to overspend, and a few places actually up their prices closer to Christmas in the hope of catching you out. Similarly, if you get into town for 9am, you don’t want to spend all day browsing. Set a time limit and stick to it. This also works for online shopping – get on, get it done, get away from the computer before you buy yourself a few stocking fillers “because you deserve them”. You’re bank won’t thank you for it in January!
4. Be nice to the staff. Trust me, they don’t want to be there any more than you do. Most places no longer give one and a half or double pay to people working Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. It’s not their fault you left shopping until last minute, just like all those people in the queue in front of you. On that note, also remember they have to listen to the tinny cover versions of the Christmas songs all through their shift, regardless of whether they love Christmas or not.
5. Have patience. Queues and traffic are going to be a nightmare. What did you expect? Take a deep breath and try not to swear under your breath unless the person really deserved it. Then you have my blessing. And as for all those drivers who can’t drive at a reasonable speed, or use the indicators their cars have been fitted with? Don’t get me started on them!

I think that’s all I can think of. Do you have any tips? Or are you someone who’s been prepared since August? I myself will be dragging Dad out shopping on either Saturday or Sunday depending on how I’m feeling after Friday night.

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