Some of us shop year-round for Christmas gifts; whereas, others are Christmas Eve warriors! (I got everything I need from Walmart in one hour! Booyah!) Then, there are the Black Friday and Cyber Monday enthusiasts. (I had to knock a few people over, but that $200 Smart TV is MINE!) And, finally, we have the “I got all this for less than $10” crowd. (I used coupons, Kohl’s cash, and found some amazing consignment deals. I bought all my Christmas gifts for – drum roll please – $3.57!)
At the end of the day, Christmas is fun regardless of the shopping frenzy which led up to it. Still, I think it is fun to consider the diverse personalities God gave us and how we differ from one person to another – even in how we shop for our loved ones. Knowing and embracing your sweetie’s shopping style is a good idea. Maybe, just maybe, some of your good shopping behaviors will rub off on him or her (but you cannot be sure that will ever happen ~smile~).
Year-Round Shoppers
This is me! Eric and I create a gift budget at the beginning of the year and take out money each month to put towards all the presents we plan to buy that year. This approach was birthed early in our marriage when we experienced the December pain of spending a ton of money at one time.
The purpose of taking out monthly gift-shopping money is to ward off December money panic; however, Eric still hears me utter the much-despised phrase, “I need more money for Christmas presents” – usually around Thanksgiving when I realize my gift money reserves are running low. ~smile~
The reason I prefer the year-round shopping method is two-fold: I like the joy of gift shopping whenever I want to and I do not like the stress of shopping last minute. I do not find it exciting. I find it anxiety provoking! Unless, that is, I am shopping for an extra gift that is not central to my gift plan.
The pros to this method:
- More shopping time!
- Less holiday stress.
- More time to plan and create a fantastic gift!
- Ability to buy wonderful gifts when the opportunities present themselves (e.g., on vacation, at festivals, street vendors, etc.). The money is available and ready for action.
The cons to this method:
- The money runs out earlier.
- Deals can be better at Christmas.
- You miss the hustle and bustle of shopping at Christmas-time.
- Inevitably, an amazing gift idea will present itself months after your loved one’s gift is bought and wrapped.
Christmas Eve Warriors
Is this you? Someone you know? I can remember my uncle leaving our Christmas Eve night celebration to go Christmas shopping. Even as a kid I was like, “Dude, really?!” Though I am not what you might call a natural planner, I do get easily stressed if I see a deadline approaching and my “work” is not done. So, I confess that I cannot fully understand the Christmas Eve warriors.
However, there is a part of me that would love to throw caution to the wind one year and choose to do all my Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. There has to be some kind of special rush to it and not a lot of second guessing your decisions. “Will she like the pink or the blue? Who cares? I have ten minutes before the store closes!”
This group may not have many members, but we have to hand it to them. They often come through in the end – sometimes with the best gifts!
The pros to this method:
- One does not have to “waste” much time pre-planning.
- There can be joy and freedom in finding random gifts for friends and family.
- There is a level of excitement that comes from rushing to beat the clock. It becomes a game.
- You are sure to be around score of other people if you enjoy crowds!
The cons to this method:
- You are up all night wrapping the gifts.
- Gifts may not come together as well as you had hoped they would.
- No time to recover if you forget someone on your list.
- You are forced to be out with grumpy, panicked, last-minute shoppers.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Enthusiasts
While the introvert in me can completely understand Cyber Monday shopping, it struggles to comprehend why anyone would enjoy getting up early and taking on the masses just to save a few dollars. Enough people do it, so I know there is something amazing I am missing, but I am okay with that. I have survived this long without darkening the door of one early Black Friday sale – and I will likely continue living without that frenzied adrenaline rush. ~smile~
The extent of my “experience” with Black Friday has come from the news: “Two trampled to death at local mall.” “One man severely injured after attempting to grab a TV from fellow shopper.” “Store denies allegations that it instigated a twenty shopper pile up in electronics.”
There are people I love dearly who adore Black Friday shopping, so please know I am not making fun of it or you. It frightens me; that is all! ~wink~
The pros to this method:
- You can find some fantastic deals.
- There is a rush to charging through a packed store vying for one of two greatly reduced products.
- If you plan well, you can complete your shopping in one or two leaps, and still give your loved ones some outstanding gifts.
- You can share this experience with family and friends and create some cherish-able post-Thanksgiving memories.
The cons to this method:
- You may spend more than you meant to in the excitement of the moment.
- Some gifts you hoped to buy may be sold out, thus throwing off your perfect gift-giving plan.
- You may have to cut your Thanksgiving celebration short now that stores open a day earlier than Black Friday (Eric affectionately calls Thanksgiving, Gravy Thursday, for those shoppers).
- This method is often completely exhausting, especially when it requires getting up before the crack of dawn.
Frugal Christmas Crowd
Though this is not my gift shopping style, it speaks to me. Should I one day choose to abandon my year-round shopping agenda, I may just hop over to the frugal camp. The thought of finding all my Christmas gifts for under $10 is thrilling! “Manager’s special! Twenty-five cent flip flops for everyone! Thirty-five people on my shopping list! Christmas shopping – done!” One year, I did survive many a baby shower thanks to Kohl’s Cash! Yes, I think I could fit in here. ~smile~
The pros to this method:
- There is a great sense of accomplishment.
- Some of the most amazing treasures are found when you look through what others overlook.
- Great savings! Christmas does not have to break the budget!
- You may have a great story to tell. ~smile~
The cons to this method:
- You cannot always beat your last year’s gift (if you even try).
- Some years will be home runs and other years you will not be able to find quality, dirt-cheap gifts for everyone.
- Some of your recipients will value your quest, but others may not understand or appreciate it at all.
- The search may require dozens of valuable hours.
We may not understand others’ gift-shopping styles, but we can find inspiration from them and enjoy looking through the treasures they uncover along the way. In fact, find what works from each group and fuse it into your own special eclectic style. You might just find some new and interesting gifts when you think outside the box! Your gift recipients may enjoy a different approach as well – especially if you tend to be, like me… a bit predictable in your giving. ~smile~
What is your Christmas shopping style? What is your sweetheart’s style? Do you respect each other’s differences? ~smile~