Stress Free Holiday Shopping
The holiday shopping season can potentially be both hectic and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be this way. While the tendency is to shop relatively late – a couple of weeks after Black Friday seems to be the trend, – commencing your shopping expeditions earlier than Thanksgiving week isn’t the only remedy of alleviating that dreaded holiday stress.
One such obvious strategy would be to shop at a mall, generally referred to as "One Stop Shopping." But take into account the type of mall you frequent, and your budget, because there are malls dedicated to different lifestyles and budgets.
The Mall at Short Hills, in New Jersey, would be a good illustration of a mall devoted to shoppers who have, generally speaking, a disproportionate amount of disposable income, compared to the average shopper. I personally don’t fall into that higher-end category, yet I am drawn to this mall for reasons generally not associated with holiday shopping -– the classical music being piped in through the impressive sound system, the smells emanating from the fine restaurants, the simple two story mall layout, its cleanliness, and the comfortable seating areas. Consider a few of the perks this mall has to offer: state of the art guest services, restaurant reservations, hotel information, gift card buying and valet parking, to name just a few amenities. These extracurricular activities reduce stress, by diverting one's attention, temporarily, from the hard-to-please, people-who-have-everything folks on our shopping lists.
However, the Bentleys, Porches and other fine automobiles strategically placed on display, coupled with the trendy, high-end, clothing and jewelry stores, may suggest that perhaps you simply don't belong. Establishments such as Georgio Armani, Chanel, Dior, Prada and Tiffany, are certainly not for everyone’s taste or budget. I'm not overly comfortable browsing through these type of stores, because, upon entering, when asked what I'm specifically looking for, my (mental) response is generally: "Just looking for anything that I can afford. Do you carry any such items?" However, for the more conservative shopper, there are stores which cater to the average consumer: the unique/boutique gift shops, the book stores and food stores, in addition to the kitchen appliance/gadget stores. Also found here are the traditional big-name, popular department stores, such as Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor, and Macy’s. These familiar stores can offer comfort and familiarity, as they have been a staple for shoppers for many shopping seasons.
Another effective strategy for reducing holiday stress, is to shop online. Amazon.com, the most popular and convenient means to shopping online, would be a good place to start. And stop, as there really is no better site for online purchasing. Just about anything you are looking for this holiday season can be found here. You can test this proclamation out yourself: Google an item that you are considering purchasing, and, more often than not, you will be directed to a link to Amazon. Music, books, clothing, electronics, jewelry, sporting goods and appliances can be found here, generally with no sales tax (at least until the end of this year, in most states), with no shipping charges for orders of over $25, when choosing the standard shipping option.
How diversified and accessible is Amazon? According to the website Wikipedia.com, “Amazon has separate retail websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Japan, and China, with international shipping to certain other countries for some of its products." Additionally, Wikipedia states, "Amazon has offices, fulfillment centers, customer service centers and software development centers across North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.”
Both shopping malls and online retailers offer convenient shopping, via different avenues. The former offers a physical and “touchy-feely” approach, while the latter offers a more sedentary approach. Both are convenient, economical, and offer a stress free shopping environment. Whether you travel to The Mall at Short Hills in your stylish Rolls Royce, or you decide to purchase your holiday gifts in your pajamas, with coffee in hand, while sitting at your kitchen table, enjoy your newly acquired stress free holiday season.
