For me, Boxing Day Shopping has just become a tradition of mine. It started in Grade 8 and I have gone every year since, even when I've had to work prior to shopping. I'm going to keep this post short and sweet, since I'm sure lots of you have family stuff to get to, but I have five tips that I follow every year for Boxing Day to help make it less painful.
1) Make a List: On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day take all the flyers, or use the Flip App and compare what's on sale and where. Mark down what you need/really want and where you can buy it. Now if you're really smart (or crazy) like me, you'll also write down the order in which you want to go to the stores. This helps, especially after a few years when you know which stores will have bigger line-ups because of good sales, special promos, or limited stock.
2) Get to the Mall Before it Opens: This is kind of a given. Usually Sears in Polo Park opens at 6 am and the rest of the stores in the mall open at either 7 or 8, depending. So what I like to do is go to the mall, sometimes cruise around Sears for a bit, but otherwise grab a coffee, take a look over my list, and mentally prepare to get in, buy what I need and get out.
3) Park Right by the Exit: Sometimes this means walking a little further to get to the door, but when you're finished your shopping in a few hours, you'll thank yourself for it. Park facing the exit and as close to it as possible, so that all you have to do is get in your car, let it warm up for a minute or two while you watch the angry person stare at you from their car waiting for your spot, and then pull right out of the parking lot.
4) Plan Out your Budget: Usually I do this without caring too much how I spend my money. This year, I'm trying to be a little bit wiser and make sure I stick to my budget. I am not using credit cards on Boxing Day, which will be a first, so I have to make sure that if my gift cards and cash don't cover it, then I need to either wait, or take something else off my list so I can get it. Never have I bought anything that I NEEDED on Boxing Day, it's always a want. This year however I have house items on my list which are more so a need than a want, but either way I have to decide if it's 100% necessary or if it can wait.
5) Go By Yourself: I have gone shopping with people and by myself in the past. I love going with other people because it's nice having someone else with their opinions, but as I have gotten older I have realized how much I hate people in the mall on Boxing Day, so I always get in, get my stuff, and get out. This is much easier by yourself because you're focused, determined and ambitious. I am always determined to be out of the mall no later than 9 am, which by that time it's not so chaotic that you can't move, but it's definitely busy enough that there is no good parking left.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! Spend lots of time with family and friends, and all the best in the New Year!
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