How to get everything on your list without suffering the mall meltdown
We know, the best way to avoid frustration and disappointment et cetera is to shop before the holiday rush. We also know this isn’t always a possibility. To help you get through this time of retail madness, we’ve enlisted the help of pro-shopper Barbara Captijn, who runs Insider Shopping Toronto, Toronto Eaton Centre Marketing Director Catherine Melchior and Halifax mom-of-three Stephanie Potter, to share their secrets to stress-free shopping.
1. Research, research and research.
Captijn says these are the most important words in holiday shopping. Consider someone’s lifestyle, what gifts have been hits in the past, and which have been misses? Still stuck? Ask for a wish list. They say, “Oh, I don’t know, I’m sure I’ll like anything you get me”? Ugh, that’s the worst! Captijn advises making some suggestions about things you’ve found online and asking your intended gift recipient for feedback.
Andrew Parker of the Toronto Underground Cinema’s Bunchbrary
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The snow is just starting to fall. Christmas cookies are being baked for office parties and family get-togethers. Poinsettias are starting to show up in stores. Stores. Wait. Oh, no. I haven’t started shopping yet!
Don’t panic just yet. Save that panicking for the last Saturday before Christmas, but for now here are 10 movies to help get you and your family motivated to get out there and brave the crowds. These films offer key perspective and just might put your family in the right frame of mind to deal with something completely illogical: the Christmas shopping experience. Read more...
