Achieving stress-free Christmas shopping

As the holiday season draws near, the festive spirit in the Philippines comes alive with colorful decorations, lively carols, and the busy atmosphere of Christmas shopping.

In Filipino culture, shopping during the holiday season is a long-standing tradition, with Filipinos enthusiastically taking part in gift-giving as a way to show love and appreciation to their loved ones.

According to a survey conducted by market research company Ipsos, holiday shopping budgets are rising after being stagnant for three years, with 32% of consumers planning to increase their budget. Additionally, PwC stated that almost 40% of consumers will spend more overall than last year.

However, there seems to be mixed feelings about spending this holiday season, with concerns about affordability and crowded retail places.

Despite the negative feelings brought by the current situation, Filipinos have found ways to continue shopping and express their love for their families and friends, as they still remain excited to celebrate. In fact, according to the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Filipino consumers remain optimistic, with an outlook index of 18.9% in the third quarter of 2023, albeit lower than the 20.5 % recorded in the second quarter.

The following are some tips to make your shopping less stressful as just few weeks are left before Christmas Day.

Plan ahead

Long queues, last-minute decisions, and crowded stores can turn a festive experience into a chaotic one. Procrastination is the enemy of stress-free shopping, so planning it ahead of the sprees is essential.

Having a well-thought-out list and making purchases in advance allows you to choose thoughtful and quality gifts without succumbing to the pressure of time constraints.

In addition, planning ahead enables the consumer to secure popular items before they fly off the shelves.

For instance, Gen Z has specific shopping preferences related to planning, according to PwC. They tend to look for gift ideas in stores (67% vs. 58% overall) and on social media (41% vs. 31% overall). They also prefer to use social media for comparison shopping (34% vs. 27% overall) and to learn about sustainable companies (70% vs. 51% overall).

Set a budget

According to a recent CNET Money survey, 69% of respondents admitted that they are likely to overspend on purchases during the upcoming holiday season. Out of these, nearly one-third of shoppers said their overspending would happen in December, while 27% said they would probably overspend during fall holiday shopping events.

Having a budget during the holiday season is like a financial roadmap that helps prevent overspending. People can allocate specific amounts for gifts, decorations, and other expenses, allowing them to prioritize their spending and avoid going overboard. 

Moreover, the American Psychological Association (APA) reports that financial concerns are often cited as the leading cause of stress during the holiday season. Therefore, a well-defined budget not only prevents overspending but also contributes to overall financial well-being, reducing stress levels and promoting a positive holiday experience.

Get the best deals

During the holiday season, many people feel the pressure of finding the perfect gifts for their loved ones. This, combined with the financial strain of the holidays, can lead to increased stress. While the pursuit of sales and bargains may bring joy, it can also lead to excessive spending, which can bring on even more stress after the celebrations.

Maximizing your purchasing power is possible by taking advantage of buying deals that offer more value for money. Whether it’s a discount, buy-one-get-one-free offer, or bundled package, utilizing these bargains ensures that every dollar spent goes further.

In addition, the holiday season often comes with a time crunch, and shopping for gifts can be a time-consuming process. However, searching for deals can simplify the process of gift hunting by targeting discounted items quickly.

Knowing where to look for the best deals can save time spent navigating crowded stores, leaving more room to concentrate on choosing meaningful gifts.

Collaborate and delegate

One of the key benefits of delegating and collaborating during the holiday season is the ability to share responsibilities. Instead of taking on the entire burden of shopping, consider dividing the tasks among family members or friends.

To make the process more manageable and efficient, create a shopping list and assign specific items to each person. Delegating responsibilities not only reduces the overall workload, but also fosters a sense of collaboration and shared accomplishment among the circle.

Moreover, discussing gift ideas, seeking advice, and sharing the responsibility of finding the right presents can alleviate stress and create a more positive and enjoyable holiday experience. — Mhicole A. Moral