Many times, holiday shopping turns what should be a happy, family-centered time into stress overload and debt. You have to shop for gifts, food, decorations and even a new outfit for the holiday party. Planning ahead, not taking the process too seriously and enjoying the little moments are a good start to changing the stress back into fun. Below are a few common stressors and ways to avoid them as the holiday shopping season begins in earnest.
Big crowds. Perhaps you have convinced yourself that spending your holiday weekends at the mall is actually fun, but most people would rather not be caught in the chaos for too long. To avoid the massive holiday crowds, try shopping online for at least some of your purchases. Not only can you avoid the crowds, but most online stores allow you to ship right to your intended recipient, saving you the hassle of standing in long lines at the post office to mail gifts for out-of-town family and friends. Read Full Story pdf