Some of you might not want to admit it but it truly is CHRISTMAS! Watch out for my Christmas in Edinburgh post, coming soon! Some would say I take Christmas too far – Who even wants to know these people really?! But in all seriousness I start Christmas in like September – Okay August, but who is really taking note! I am what is known as a “planner”, so here it is my guide to surviving Christmas!
Planning
Plan everything – you’ll thank me later! You most likely buy presents for the same people every year give or take a few. Make a list, It sounds pretty straight forward but you would be surprised how many people tell me they just pick things up – Even typing that stresses me out! When your making your way through several angry shoppers all looking for good deals or basically to get out the shop as quickly as possible, it will help! –I love a bit of Festive shopping if you hadn’t guessed, so no rushing for me! I use my Mac and iPhone that way if your online shopping or out and about your list is constantly updated! It also gives you little check boxes to tick off…oh the festive thrills!
Budget
Okay so you might have two people to buy for or 40! If you have to buy for 40, I’m sorry, I truly am, that sounds painful! I start by figuring out a budget, once you have your budget I always add about £50 on top! – Call it a contingency fund everyone knows you get carried away with the present buying process – or at least I defiantly do, I just cant help it! Im a sucker for a good bit of Festive Advertising! So having a a little extra stashed away always makes for a less stressful Christmas shopping trip!
Events
Right, You’ll have a lot going on, several things to do and a list as long as your arm – If your planning that is! IT’S CHRISTMAS, unfortunately it only happens once a year – sad – If you can, get involved in everything, its not called “The most wonderful time of the year” for nothing! Any reason to dawn a Festive jumper, be merry and have a drink…Well I’m there!
Hosting
So you want to host your own event, be it the main show on Christmas day, or a night before, during or after – why should the festivities end?! Well for anyone who has experienced a supermarket anywhere near Christmas you’ll know all the good stuff goes early and it is super busy – It once took me two hours to get out of an Asda carpark! You want to make your event a success, again planning is the key, make a list and go full supermarket sweep – little throwback to the 90’s! Buy what you need, if your cooking, baking or just buying nibbles make sure you know what your plan is and I’m sure your night/day will go off without a hitch!
Shopping
This is where you will come into your own, You will have your list – If not we can’t be friends! You’ll be able to run through all the shops grabbing all your gifts! Okay so I generally do my shopping over a few weeks, thats mainly down to my lack off available funds normally – I like to buy myself things, whats the issue?!… But if you start a few weeks or months ahead of time and if your ultra organised then it does make for a significantly less stressful run up to Christmas!
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