Make Christmas Shopping Fun

It's not a chore - it's a pleasure! Read on for our top tips on how to make Christmas shopping one of the most fun parts of the season

This Christmas, forget about traipsing round the shops weighed down with endless bags and aching feet - it's time to do Christmas shopping differently. Going out and buying pressies for your loved ones should be something to look forward to - what better way to spread some festive cheer than buying treats for everyone?

The first way to make sure that Christmas shopping is a pleasure instead of a chore is simple - planning. As with most things in life, making a list of what you need to do makes everything simpler, so think about making a four-week plan with a list of everything to buy each week, from the 'big' presents that you'll need to budget for, right down to the last-minute Christmas tree lights that always seem to be broken!

Yes ladies - it really can be fun!

Speaking of budgeting, you can make things much less stressful by having a proper budget to work from. Work out your incomings and outgoings for the whole of December, and then allocate a certain amount to each person on your to buy for' list. Keep a note of your weekly budget in your purse and go steady on the credit cards to avoid a big fat bill landing on the doorstep in January.

Most importantly don't forget to leave a little cash left over to treat yourself while you're out shopping. Rewarding yourself at the end of a marathon shopping trip is certainly one way to make it more fun - even if it's just a £3 lipstick, at least it means you have something to look forward to yourself once you've stashed everyone else's pressies away at the back of your wardrobe.

Don't forget that Christmas shopping needn't be a solo effort either - why not agree to go somewhere unusual for a day of shopping with some girlfriends? Make sure you build in time for a leisurely lunch and you'll be sure to enjoy the day as much as if you were with Carrie and the girls in Sex and the City. The only difference is that you have to give your purchases away... damn!

Embrace the festive spirit

Thinking of pressies for yourself, make sure that you drop enough hints to those around you about what you'd like - even if it means be blatantly obvious! Don't be afraid to write your own Christmas present wish list and stick it to the fridge, and encourage the rest of the family to do the same, as it'll certainly mean you have to use less brain power to think of things to get for them - leaving more time for you to nibble mince pies and sip mulled wine.

Finally, don't forget about the secret weapon to all organised ladies' shopping success - the internet. Shopping online means you avoid all the stress of the shops and can just wait for your presents to be magically delivered to your door. You can also get some real bargains online - but then, you do miss out on all the high street atmosphere of Christmas lights and roast chestnut stands, so head to the shops too, if only to soak up the festive spirit.

If your numbers come in on 888ladies, you could even treat yourself to a weekend shopping trip to Paris or New York and really make an event out of Christmas shopping this year. Fingers crossed...

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Make Christmas Shopping Fun

It's not a chore - it's a pleasure! Read on for our top tips on how to make Christmas shopping one of the most fun parts of the season

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