Coping with The Stress of Christmas Shopping

Christmas is a season of high expectations.  Newspapers, magazines and TV adverts are full of images of the perfect Christmas.  We’re given the impression that if we buy this turkey, make that stuffing and give these presents then we too can be like the people portrayed in the photographs.  This only exists in fiction; however it still puts us under pressure to excel. 

The key to managing any kind of stress is self awareness.  When you notice the anxiety building up then you can do something about it.  The first step in coping with Christmas shopping stress is to get it in perspective.  Ask yourself – if I don’t get that hand fed, organic, free range bronze turkey what’s the worst thing that can happen?  Will my family starve?  Will I lose a limb?  Is it life or death?  When you realise that it’s just a case of succumbing to media hype then you can get a grip on your feelings.

If you really want to avoid the stress of Christmas shopping then don’t do any.  Many people have become disillusioned with the over commercialisation of Christmas.  This has led to a growth in charitable giving at Christmas.  Three years ago we opted to only buy presents for the children in the family and we give the money that would have been spent on the adults to help a small local charity.  Our relatives were happy to respect this and they make donations, to various charities, of the money they’d have spent on us.

Lots of us love to receive something that’s been hand made so make the most of your creativity.  Instead of giving granddad another pair of socks consider a collage of family photos that will remind him of happy family occasions.   If baking is your forte what could be nicer than some home made mince pies?

You may enjoy choosing and giving gifts but hate the crush in the shops and queues at the tills then on line and mail order shopping are great alternatives to trudging through cold damp city streets.  So many big stores have websites these days that you can shop in your favourite one from the comfort of your own home.