7 Tips to an Stress-Free Gift Shopping Experience


by Patricia Twitchell - The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrt - Date: 2007-08-15 - Word Count: 433 Share This!

Often people don't think about holiday shopping until right before they happen. One way to reduce stress is to plan ahead. In some cases, way ahead.

Here are some simple steps you can take to pace yourself as you move into virtually any holiday season.

1. Pace yourself. You don't have to get everything done in one trip. Set aside a short period of time over several days or weeks rather than trying to accomplish everything in one trip. For some people, this type of shopping is favorable to doing everything in one trip.

2. Write a list of people you plan to shop for. To avoid unnecessary debt put a dollar amount you are able to comfortably afford. Stay within your budget. Although a couple dollars here and there doesn't seem like much, it can quickly add up.

3. There are some personality types who find it less stressful to get all their shopping done in one shopping spree. They do better to complete all shopping in one trip. It saves the need to make several trips to the stores. This is a great way to avoid the crowds often associated with the holiday season.

4. Be aware of misleading sale items. Often what may seem like a great deal really isn't. If you are buying a large ticket item, do some research before you go shopping. You can save an incredible amount of money by doing so.

5. Shop in smaller stores. You will avoid crowds by visiting small shops in quaint towns. Often, you will receive more personalized service due to the owner being the one to serve you.

6. Get your gifts wrapped as soon as you purchase them. This one tip can save countless hours of frustration. There are still shops that will take care of the gift wrapping at no additional cost. Even if you have to pay, the convenience alone may be worth it.

7. Utilize online resources such as eBay. The key here is to know you can trust the vendor. One way to do this with eBay is to read the feedback section. Although not foolproof, you do minimize your risk by dealing with someone who has numerous comments on customer experience.

Most of all, enjoy the experience. After all, life is too short not to enjoy what it as much as possible.


Patricia Twitchell is the proprietor of Just Bears and Stuff, a unique shop for gift collectors located in Myrtle Creek, Oregon. Enjoy one of the best selections of Boyd's, Gund, Cottage Collectibles, Quarry Critters, Ganz and more. Visit our eBay store at http://stores.ebay.com/bearwatch-aka-Just-Bears-and-Stuff

Related Tags: gifts, angels, bears, teddy bears, boyds, gunds

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