Surviving the holiday crush

crush shopping craziness holiday madness
Howdy, lovely Posse peeps! What are you guys up to now that the holiday shopping crush is in full swing? Although I should have known better, I made the mistake of going near a busy shopping area one afternoon. What should have been a 30-minute trip morphed into an hour-plus mess. When will I learn?

I’ve done online shopping mostly over the years, but always try to buy gifts over the course of the year and stick them back. I usually venture out to Target and/or Sephora and Ulta once, just to check out gift ideas or stocking stuffer potential.

I’m finding that as I’m getting older, I’m losing my appetite for facing the holiday crowds, but occasionally I’ll head into the big city. Usually early on a Sunday morning to get a few things and then scoot out before traffic gets too nuts. Or I might head out early mid-week, after school has started and folks are already at work. But never the week before or the week after Christmas. That’s just too much of a crush!!

But I absolutely draw the line at any shopping at night. Between the general holiday craziness, distracted drivers, and frequently wet roads, I’m quite happy to stay in. Many nights you’ll find me curled up on the couch in the living room with a cup of tea or hot chocolate and a good book, or just sitting and enjoying the beautiful lights outside and on the tree.

Speaking of Christmas trees, we’ve always gotten live ones — love that smell! — but this year looks to be our last. DH has decided to get an artificial one next year, especially since my teen will be off to college next fall. I’m guessing that next year I’ll be investing in some of the Thymes wonderful Frasier Fir products, such as room spray and candles.

What about you? How’s your holiday season going so far? How are you handling the holiday crush?

  • maggiecat says:

    This is the first year I have shopped mostly online and I must say it’s taken a lot of stress out of the holidays! That, and getting to whatever major store you need to go to early in the morning. 8 AM, even on a Saturday, isn’t too bad! It’s a stressful holiday season for me this year for a number of reasons, but I’m trying to focus on the meaning of the holiday as much as possible.

  • matty says:

    I hate the Christmas crush in the shopping centres as well. I’m retired so I can go on week days when it’s not so busy.

  • Dina C. says:

    I’ve also done a lot of online shopping or targeted go-and-get-it shopping trips with no browsing. Since I’m a stay-at-home-mom I have the luxury of doing those during the work week when shops are less crowded. We stay away from malls completely on Saturdays & Sundays. That’s crazy-town! We get real trees because we don’t have a place to store a fake tree. All the nieces and nephews are big now, so no more toy shopping. Everyone just wants money or gift cards. I have fun shopping for my nuclear family the most. Love finding surprises. I’m burning a Nest Birchwood candle this year for atmosphere as well as Thymes Fraser Fir.

  • MMKinPA says:

    I mostly shop online; otherwise try to head out during a weekday (I work part time so I can usually sneak it in.). Today I went to Target to get an extra % off my son’s video game pick with Cartwheel. Yikes – Target on a Sunday in December is baaaaadddd.

  • Portia says:

    Hey Ann,
    This year i have almost everything shopped already. Only one more shopping expedition and that was my own fault because I had to bring my receipt to do what I had to do.
    Fortunately I can double up a jaunt to town with a series of meet ups for coffee, tee, brunch or lunch and also do some window shopping.
    We always have a faux tree because the needles give me the pip on the real deal. I also worry about our lights shorting and there being an arbre de Noël en flambe.
    Have a wonderful Xmas season Ann.
    Portia xx

  • Tara C says:

    I only go out around 10 am, usually on a week day, to avoid the crush. But I’m already done for this year, don’t plan to set foot in a mall until at least mid-January. If I need something it will be ordered online.

    I use Diptyque Feu de Bois and pine scented candles for my winter fix, or spray some Zagorsk on myself.