By Molly Latterner
Holiday shopping- the most fun activity around the holiday season. Yeah right!! I would rather.., well. We don’t need to talk about that. Shopping for the holidays can be very, very stressful for one who is not ready for it. Here are some steps to prepare for holiday shopping-
(in no particular order)
1) Be prepared with comfortable shoes and clothing.
Too many times have people come into the store that I work in and complain about how warm they are or how uncomfortable their shoes are. Pick shoes with soles that have padding in them, and don’t go for looks as much as comfort. Wear light clothing that isn’t going to make you freeze but that isn’t going to make you die of heat stroke
2) Eat before you leave.
Mall food is expensive and you’re there spending money anyway. Also the fat content in fast foods is much higher than most things that you could whip up at home. (If your shopping day IS going to be long, bring a snack.)
3) Try to be confident in which things that you are there to buy.
Admit it, half the time you don’t know exactly what you are looking for. Those of you who do, congratulations, you’re way ahead of the rest of us. Malls are cluttered with people who don’t know what they’re looking for. If you know what you are looking for, the shopping will go much smoother and a lot faster.
4) Be nice to the employees.
During the holiday season employees are under a lot of stress. Most people who work in retail, work on commission and the holiday season is a big time to rake in the cash. Since the employees are trying their best to help everyone, please be patient with them. Being mean and demanding could make them grumpy for the rest of the day creating a glooming non-holiday atmosphere for later customers who may dare to enter the store. Besides being happy and wonderful to other people can only make your day better.
5) Avoid market researchers. (a.k.a.: “Do you have 10 spare minutes?”)
Granted their purpose is valid, but they can be very annoying when you are in a hurry. One excuse I found to be very effective is- “I just ate and I really need to go to a restroom.” They have no counter attack for that one. Talking to them can only hold you up and cause massive brain tumors from all of the stupid questions they ask.
In conclusion holiday shopping is very stressful to a person who is not prepared. In following the instructions I have given you things may improve. If not I suggest there is no hope for you and that you should hibernate until February.