I rarely have my ducks in a row when it comes to life in general, but in regards to Christmas, my affairs are well and truly organised. I’ve posted all of my Christmas cards, I’ve stocked up on wrapping paper and started picking out gifts for my nearest and dearest. Finding the perfect gift, wrapping it to perfection and putting it under a spectacularly decorated tree are all up there on my list of skills. So, to celebrate my festive talents, I have teamed up with Contact Numbers UK and I’m taking part in their One Less Worry Campaign to bring you my super stress-free Christmas present prep tips.
If you are always that person who gets caught off guard without a gift, or worse with a gift you’ve found in the garage, wrapped in newspaper or some non descript gift wrap mere seconds before leaving the house, waving anything that resembles a festive looking card, arriving at the door with cellotape stuck to your trousers and a sheepish smile, this post is for you. It’s for those people who still have undelivered Christmas cards hiding in their glove compartments come March and the ones who wrap their gifts only to miss the last posting dates. So, what’s the first item on the definitive ducks in a row checklist? Jot down these deadline dates in your diary, in your phone or set a reminder on your fancy apple watch. Getting your ducks in a row requires organisation and planning. We’re working to a schedule here people, don’t be that person who posts their cards on the 24th and hopes for the best or worse that person who only puts on one stamp and makes their friends pay the extra postage costs.
So what are my top tips for a stress-free Christmas shopping experience? First up? Take note. Listen. Finding a gift that will light up your friend or family member’s face actually isn’t rocket science. When shopping for them, think about what do they do for a living, what do they like, what do they need? The chances are, the perfect gift is probably at the root of all of your conversations. What are their bugbears? Could your gift solve their problems? That piece of jewellery they lost and have been looking for ever since, the holiday they’ve always wanted to take or a new pair of their favourite slippers that are almost worn out? The clue is always in the conversation. Give them a gift that won’t be regifted.
Tip no 2? Stay. At. Home. When it comes to actually buying gifts, why venture into town when you can whip up a festive hot chocolate and buy all of the gifts you need from the comfort of your sofa? Braving the cold and hustle and bustle of city centre stores on the run-up to Christmas can be super stressful so pour yourself a hot toddy, put on your cosiest slippers and shop in front of your roaring fire. You know it makes sense.
Don’t just pick your store willy-nilly. Be selective when it comes to the shops you choose. Some retailers take all of the hard work out of buying gifts for your loved ones and some don’t. There’s a reason you dread Christmas shopping. Perhaps you hate buying wrapping paper, bows, ribbons and gift tags? Or maybe your wrapping skills leave a lot to be desired. Maybe you are never at home and you hate coming home to 5 sorry we missed you cards shoved into the letterbox? Well, if this sounds all too familiar, choose a store that makes your life easier. For example, some stores will wrap your gifts while you wait, provide you with a gift receipt for that person in your life that’s super picky and even allow you to choose a delivery date so you never miss a parcel. Extended return policies really make everyone’s life easier not to mention store collection if you want to order online but save on delivery costs by picking it up in town after work. Simple!
Create a gift-giving drawer. I have one of those beds with the built-in drawers and this is where I store little gifts and cards that I’ve found throughout the year. You know, those things you see and think oh so and so would love that. I always pick up cute cards as and when I see them and when Christmas comes around, you don’t have to start from scratch. Suddenly Christmas shopping doesn’t seem so overwhelming and what is that feeling? Oh yes, it’s a feeling of smugness. You are prepared!
Throw a wrapping party. Pool your skills. That friend that’s good with words, knows how to do Calligraphy, that family member who’s really artistic and that person who has all the cool stuff like the fancy cellotape holders that you put on your wrist and the one that buys all of the fancy gift wrap. Get together and make a night of it. If you don’t have any talented friends (I mean who can actually do Calligraphy) get together anyway. That mulled wine isn’t going to drink itself. I do this each year with my Mum and we sip mulled wine and eat chocolate yule log and she brings her super cool wrapping equipment and I pay her back in luxurious wrapping paper and gold bells.
If you don’t have your ducks in a row, it helps to have contacts in all the right places. Need the John Lewis contact number to see what time it closes for that last minute gift dash? Or do you need to know if they’ve got a particular gift in store? The Contact Numbers Directory is your go-to service for any such query. They are on hand to give you #onelessworry
*This was a collaborative post with Contact Numbers UK.
