Surviving the Christmas Rush
Christmas is just weeks away—have you covered everyone on your nice list yet? Every year, I promise to do my gift-hunting early, but come Christmas, I’m a bundle of stress, blowing my budget on last minute gifts and madly wrapping all the way up to Christmas eve instead of joining in the fun.
My super-organized friends actually have an Excel file that they refer to every year—it contains a list of people they need to give gifts to (family, friends, household help, officemates, staff, clients, children’s classmates and friends, teachers, building security guards, your best friend’s pet, etc). Next to each name, they indicate the budget allotted for the gift, and, for the truly OC, even indicate what they gave the person last year (helpful if you tend to repeat gifts!). And most importantly, they have a weekly goal (shop for x number of gifts) so that they can get their shopping done before the swirl of holiday activities (reunions, Christmas parties, dinners they’re hosting at home…).
If you’re a hopeless procrastinator like me and haven’t made any headway in your shopping yet, here are some bright ideas so we can survive the holiday madness fabulously:
1. D-I-Y
OK technically, once you start hearing Christmas carols in the mall, you’re already too late to beat the holiday rush. How about avoiding the mall altogether and making your own gifts? Whether you’re skilled at crochet, baking cookies, making friendship bracelets, or even framing photos you took of loved ones, giving something handmade with love is definitely a more economical yet thoughtful alternative to store-bought presents.
2. Homegrown businesses
If you have zero skills, the next best thing is to support small, homegrown businesses of friends, friends of friends, or local artisans. Sift through your social networks, and you’re bound to find enterprising friends peddling their gift ideas—sweets, food items (always welcome!), personalized stationery, décor, fashion accessories, home fragrances, indie art, and more. Before placing your order, make sure you’ve sampled the goods yourself (or at least, gotten a thumbs up from people you trust).
Also read: Do More This Weekend
3. Bazaars
Another way to discover new, homegrown businesses or interesting finds is by going to bazaars. There’s a bazaar to suit every budget and personal preference, from the neighborhood fairs at the barangay hall and pop-up tiangges at malls, to chic holiday bazaars at hotels and event spaces like Rockwell and NBC tent. You may also want to shop for a cause and support bazaars/vendors which are donating part of their proceeds to the victims of supertyphoon Haiyan. Bazaar tip: Go early, bring cash and your own expandable shopping bag.
4. Shop online
These days, you can shop for a whole variety of stuff without even leaving the house (not to mention, fighting for parking, jostling with the crowd, lugging tons of shopping bags…). There are now a host of local shopping sites that offer everything from regular retail brands (Zalora), food and other decadent discoveries (Taste Central), fashion and accessories by top local designers (Vito Studio), hip home and lifestyle ideas (Heimastore.com), to chic, unique finds (Chicify, Ava.ph, and Seek The Uniq). While you’re at it, pick something nice for yourself, too! Local online stores typically have speedy delivery (at least, the reputable ones), save you the stress of your order getting stuck in customs, and getting charged exorbitant taxes (surprise!).
Also read: 2013 Holiday Weekend Bazaar Calendar
5. GCs
When all else fails, there’s always the trusty gift certificate. It’s not the most inspired gift idea of all time, but it’s the safe choice when gifting tricky teenagers with ever-changing tastes, or the inaanak you haven’t seen in years. (I personally love getting GCs—it’s like getting a shopping spree for free!) At the very least, tuck it into a nice card and write a personal note for a thoughtful touch.
6. Kris Kringle for a Cause
If you choose to channel some of your gift budget to a charity or typhoon aid instead, how about spearheading an alternative Kris Kringle at your office or within your barkada? Peg a general budget, and instead of gifts, give each other cards that say you donated to so-and-so cause or organization in their name. Choose different ones so the gifts will still be a surprise!
Also read: Shop For A Cause
Hope this helps ease the stress of Christmas shopping, so you can actually enjoy the holidays and celebrate the reason for the season!
