Every year, I go up to York for their Christmas market ( It's all in little huts and lit up with fairy lights, it's absolutely beautiful ) and do the majority of my Christmas shopping. But as much as I love shopping, it can get a little stressful. So to help avoid the stressful parts of Christmas shopping I've put together a list of how to Christmas shop like a pro ! ... Or at least someone who's trying quite hard ;)
- Make a list ! .. Or 3 ! I have a notebook that my I write all my Christmas related lists in. I have four sections to my note book, Things to blog, things to make, things to bake and things to give. In the things to give section I have a page for each person where I list my ideas of things to buy them, prices and my budget to spend on them. I take this with me when I'm shopping as I'm walking round I add to the lists so I can compare Ideas for presents before I buy them and make sure I stick to the budget !
- Take A Tote Bag. There is nothing worse than buy five bags of shopping and then when you're walking back to the car and your feet are killing, all five bags snap at once all over the street ! Tote bags completely remove this risk so you can just enjoy shopping to your hearts content and they have some really cute Christmas themed tote bags on the Cath Kidston website :) Especially if you live in the UK, I would definitely take a tote bag because of the new 5p plastic bag charges.
- Dress so you feel amazing and happy and confident, but are still comfortable ( especially if it's a long journey ). It's so much nicer to go out for a days shopping when you really dedicate the day to yourself and dress for success. If you don't own an outfit that makes you feel like a princess and as if you can take on the world, then go get one !
- Take a coffee break .... well hot chocolate :) Why is this important? a) Costa has some really yummy Christmas themed hot chocolates at the minute ( Caramel and Fudge Hot Chocolate, Yes Please ! ) plus they're all in really cute cups with Christmas designs on like penguins and Santa ^.^ b) have you ever bought something for a friend because you're running out of time and "it will do" .. and then gone into the next shop and found the perfect present AND it's half the price ? Well this is the solution ! Go around all the shops first, noting down everything you like and then take a break and have a sit down in a cafe. Go through all the things you've found and THEN go back and buy whatever you've decided on !
I hope these tips help you and I'd absolutely LOVE to hear your tips and tricks for Christmas shopping ! I'm really excited to go to York next weekend and really get into the Christmas spirit :) What have you got planned for Christmas ? Let me know in the comments !
Stay Strong <3 Stay Smiley :)
Lots of love, Marianne xxx
Oh my god, this little market looks so beautiful it's almost like a dream!
ReplyDeleteThese are some excellent tips. My Christmas shopping is usually extremely last minute, however my aunt does hers in July (go figure, ha ha!)
I think this year I've decided to shop locally for all of my Christmas presents. No big-box retailers for me :)
-Alex
A Northern Light
It's absolutely love it there it's such a magical place to be :) Oh gosh hehe , I usually start ,mine in October but even for me July is a little too early hehe ! I'm the same, I think it's so much nicer to get people sweet little things locally that you know they won't find anywhere else !
DeleteLots of love, Marianne xxx
I went to the York xmas markets a couple of weekends ago and I loved it, it's so gorgeous there! Lovely tips xxx
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The perks of being a hipster- Ten ways to sneakily celebrate Christmas now!
Aww lucky you hehe :) It's beautiful their , me and my mum have gone together every year since I was little and it really signifies the start of Christmas for me !
DeleteLots of love, Marianne xxx
I am going to steal some of these tips for when I finally get around to doing my Christmas shopping. I'm all for taking a coffee break ahaha :)
ReplyDeleteLove the new festive banner too!
Katie | http://katiecupoftea.blogspot.co.uk/
Hehe coffee breaks are always good ! Any excuse ;) Especially with Costas delicious Christmas range, I can't get enough of their caramel fudge hot chocolates :) Thank you, I'm really glad you like it !
DeleteLots of love, Marianne xxx
Great tips! I try and get my christmas shopping done by the end of November! It allows for some relaxation during an already hectic christmas season :)
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Thank you ! I'm happy you like them :) Me too, this weekend is my big christmas shop weekend so I can have fun getting creative making diys and wrapping the presents in cute ways through december !
DeleteLots of love, Marianne xxx
Thank you for all the tips! -Hanna Lei
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No problem honey !
DeleteLots of love, Marianne xxx
Thanks for these tips! I still have yet to go christmas shopping. I really procrastinate hard. I can totally relate to the whole buying something random then stumbling upon the perfect gift ten minutes later. That happens so often. Even if I don't find a better gift, I oftentimes think of a better one when it's too late. I hate when that happens.
ReplyDeleteHahaha bringing an extra tote bag! That's something my mom does! It's such a simple easy trick, yet it's something I never really get around to doing!
Great post!
~Andrea Tiffany~
http://aglimpseofglam.blogspot.com
I'm glad they're helpful ! I can't get enough of Christmas shopping, I've got about 60% of mine done hehe :) It's a nightmare when that happens hehe <3 My mum told me to take one for years and I refused but after all my bags breaking in the middle of york last year I'm willing to give into practicality hehe :)
DeleteLots of love, Marianne xxx
It's amazing, it's the most magical place and it really symbolises the start of christmas for me and oh my gosh I'm getting over excited about the weekend just talking about it hehe ! Exactely Rainbow and oh my gish yes ! I've actually been thinking about getting some reindeer antlers for the festive seaosn ! Great minds think a like ;) It's really helps me especially because I get so over excited and caught up in the festive spirit I end up making loads of impulsive buys that don't actually want five minutes later if I'm not strict with myself :) Awww that's an absolutely wonderful Idea I bet they;d love that ! YOu should filled the envelope wit glitter hehe <3
ReplyDeleteLots of love, Marianne xxx
I LOVE the new layout :D The little bubbles look like christmas ornaments :D haha. Ah! Your post just got me so excited about christmas! and thinking about what I'll get people! Such great tips :D I usually love to buy a bunch of smaller gifts to give to one person. So instead of splurging on one big gift, I buy them several things for the same amount. I like to keep things personal, so throughout the year I'll take note of what people say that they want, I'll buy things that remind me of them or simply buy things that I think they'll enjoy :) I just love seeing people open so many presents but at the same time I hate seeing people open presents that I give them, because I'm scared that they won't like it, you know? That aside :D Christmas is coming!!! <3
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Awww I'm so happy you like it ! I wanted to make things a little more Christmassy around here :) I'm exactely the same as you I think it's much more fun to find lots of little things that will be specific to the person you're buying for and you know they are going to love ! I personally prefer to receive a few smaller , heart felt gifts instead of one big one :) It is so lovely to see peoples faces light up and have that moment where you know you've made them happy but I do relate to the worry that you've got it wrong :)
DeleteLots of love, Marianne xxx
I love christmas shopping and these tips are perfect! :)
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It's one of my favourite things to do at Christmas :)
DeleteLots of love, Marianne xxx
Such wonderful tips! I hate it when my family say they don't want anything from me this year because part of the Christmas fun is looking for gifts for other people and that feeling when you strike gold with the perfect gift! <3 This reminds me I must look into visiting a Christmas market - I've never been to the one at York x
ReplyDeleteViva Epernay
Thank you ! I know the feeling , I love that feeling when you just know you've found the right present :) I absolutely love going to Christmas markets , they really get my in the festive spirit hehe :)
DeleteLots of love, Marianne xxx
Great tips for Christmas shopping! Thanks for sharing the post xxx
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I'm glad they were helpful ! have a wonderful Christmas :)
DeleteLots of love, Marianne xxx
Love the new blog look! :) And some great tips, Marianne!
ReplyDeleteThe dressing confident / comfortably thing is a must! I also bring along a bottle of water cuz I get mad thirsty! Taking breaks and making a list - also a great way to help keep sanity. Sometimes, I also take photos on my phone for future ideas to refer back to.
~Lor @ cozycomfyhome.com
Thanks honey ! I fancied something a little Christmassy :) I found that I'm just happier if I'm comfortable especially when there's a long car journey <3 That's a brilliant tip that I forgot ! Waters a must especially in big crowds :) I've found lists really helpful !
DeleteLots of love, Marianne xxx