Don't Hang Yourself- Avoid The Christmas Rush!

Only a week before Christmas and even if I've been naughty and mean this year, I'm excited with what Santa would be bringing for me down our chimney on Christmas Eve. December is like the busiest month of the year. Aside from the usual everyday routine, you got events, parties, reunions, and RSVPs to attend. Not to mention that the malls are tightly packed these days and everybody is on the Christmas Rush hype. With only a few more days counting til Christmas, I'm already done with my Christmas shopping for my family, friends, loved ones and most importantly- for myself! As an event planner/socialite/event consultant, I have managed to master the art of planning- and it's a good thing I did, so I wouldn't have to add the Christmas stress to my already busy life.

Don't Let The Holiday Rush Get To You

 And since I'm in a cheerful mood tonight, let me share some of my "stress free" tips to avoid the Christmas Rush and have more time to enjoy the holiday season.

Christmas is a time of giving (of course for people like me, it's the time of receiving that I'm usually excited about) It may be a little too late to avoid the Christmas rush at this time of the month, but it's never too late to make do with next year's Christmas Rush.

• Make like Santa and avoid the Christmas rush by making your list early and ahead of time. A good way to do this is by preparing a segregated gift-list. Here's a sample of how I did it: (1) Male friends, (2) Female friends, (3) Young nieces, (4) Young nephews, (5) Female adults, (6) Male adults. by following this system, when you shop for gifts, you'll know how many toys or educational items you need to buy. Your list actually saves you time and money; plus you don't have any excuse to forget anyone you'd want to give gifts to this Christmas. The best thing about having a list is you can also track down the best gift ideas you can think of for every person on your Christmas list Note down beside the person's name the gift he/she may want/need to receive this holiday season. Just remember to check it once, check it twice (that has a certain ring to it don't you agree?) to make sure you haven't forgotten anyone and you have not duplicated their names. You wouldn't want to make the mistake of buying someone two presents would you? Not unless you're that generous. 

•  If your Christmas list includes clothes, look out for Christmas sales and bazaar openings near you. Christmas is not only a time where gifts are concerned; sales and bazaars are very common this time of the year too! Take advantage of their low prices and clearance sale markdowns. This would not only help you save a lot of money in the process, but gives you a good excuse to shop as well.

• Start planning your carte du jour for the noche buena and even for the media noche feast.  Once you know what you are going to prepare, you can start buying ingredients ahead of time. This helps avoid last minute shopping at your nearest supermarket where lines can get as far as from one corner to the other.

•  Plan your schedule ahead and make time like a day or two when you can finish all your Christmas shopping. The reason why most people panic and join the holiday rush even with a list on their hands is because they tend to do things at the last minute, or they shop for gifts one by one. If you don't want to hang yourself at the top of the chimney (that is if you have one), then accomplish everything as early as possible.

Shopping should be a leisure. Shopping for your loved ones should be a pleasure. Nothing compares to the feeling when you found the right kind of gift for your loved ones. Shopping, as always is a stress free and feel good activity- not a nightmare you couldn't wake up from year after year. Don't ruin your Christmas cheer by going through usual the hustle and bustle of the yuletide season. Planning is the key and when you learn to plan and organize all the things that needs to be done before Christmas eve, then you have lots of time left to spend with your loved ones or attending those RSVPs that just wouldn't stop coming!