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As men, we have to do things we despise. We pay taxes, indulge in pillow talk, and, once in a while, we shop.
Christmas shopping doesn't have to be a nightmare. All you have to do is plan ahead and get it done. Don't wait for the last minute, dude. Read the following shopping steps and save yourself a holiday headache.
structured merrymaking
If you don't want to be stuck at the mall on Christmas Eve, start shopping as early as possible.
Buy gifts in early December -- before the crowds storm the malls. Better yet, purchase gifts the year before right after the holidays, when prices are lowest.
1- Make a list
Make a list of the gifts you need to buy and include a backup gift in case you can't find what you're looking for.
There's no law that says you have to give everyone a different gift. If you spot a new DVD or book, buy a bunch for all your friends. Just ensure that these people don't know each other...
2- Shop online
Online merchants allow you to purchase a variety of products from the comfort of your home.
Order as many gifts as you can on the Web. However, make sure you're aware of shipping fees and, more importantly, delivery dates.
3- Establish a budget
Assign a dollar amount to each gift and you might avoid overspending. You're going to need that money for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day, not to mention birthdays.
4- Prepare an itinerary
Get organized and map out your targets. Shopping malls usually offer maps you can take home or view online, so take advantage and use them to make an itinerary.
Visit stores that are close to each other. Also, call stores beforehand to confirm they have what you're looking for.
5- Select a day
The trick to getting all your shopping done in one day is picking the right one. Avoid shopping on the weekend -- that's when everybody goes.
Shop on a weekday, as early in the week as possible to avoid traffic, lineups and parking fiascoes. Hit all the big department stores in the morning to steer clear of crowds, and the specialty stores later on.
6- Do the deed
Don't spend more time than necessary in one store. If, after a brief survey of the premises, you can't locate the coveted item, wave a salesperson over and ask them to get it for you.
Try to find an obscure cash to pay at; you'll get quicker service and skip lineups. Suckers!
7- Read the fine print
To avoid nasty surprises upon gift giving, keep every receipt and ask each store about its return policy.
Also, determine whether gift-wrapping by the store or that little booth in the mall is worth the extra cost or time saved. If you're pressed for time and are aware that your gift-wrapping skills are rather deficient, go for it.
Christmas shopping doesn't have to be a nightmare. All you have to do is plan ahead and get it done. Don't wait for the last minute, dude. Read the following shopping steps and save yourself a holiday headache.
structured merrymaking
If you don't want to be stuck at the mall on Christmas Eve, start shopping as early as possible.
Buy gifts in early December -- before the crowds storm the malls. Better yet, purchase gifts the year before right after the holidays, when prices are lowest.
1- Make a list
Make a list of the gifts you need to buy and include a backup gift in case you can't find what you're looking for.
There's no law that says you have to give everyone a different gift. If you spot a new DVD or book, buy a bunch for all your friends. Just ensure that these people don't know each other...
2- Shop online
Online merchants allow you to purchase a variety of products from the comfort of your home.
Order as many gifts as you can on the Web. However, make sure you're aware of shipping fees and, more importantly, delivery dates.
3- Establish a budget
Assign a dollar amount to each gift and you might avoid overspending. You're going to need that money for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day, not to mention birthdays.
4- Prepare an itinerary
Get organized and map out your targets. Shopping malls usually offer maps you can take home or view online, so take advantage and use them to make an itinerary.
Visit stores that are close to each other. Also, call stores beforehand to confirm they have what you're looking for.
5- Select a day
The trick to getting all your shopping done in one day is picking the right one. Avoid shopping on the weekend -- that's when everybody goes.
Shop on a weekday, as early in the week as possible to avoid traffic, lineups and parking fiascoes. Hit all the big department stores in the morning to steer clear of crowds, and the specialty stores later on.
6- Do the deed
Don't spend more time than necessary in one store. If, after a brief survey of the premises, you can't locate the coveted item, wave a salesperson over and ask them to get it for you.
Try to find an obscure cash to pay at; you'll get quicker service and skip lineups. Suckers!
7- Read the fine print
To avoid nasty surprises upon gift giving, keep every receipt and ask each store about its return policy.
Also, determine whether gift-wrapping by the store or that little booth in the mall is worth the extra cost or time saved. If you're pressed for time and are aware that your gift-wrapping skills are rather deficient, go for it.