The reality is that panic shopping is dangerous, stressful and in many cases totally unnecessary.
With Christmas week finally upon us, it is time to soak up some quality time with the family. The kids have finished up at school, Christmas cards have been sent and plans have been made for the big day. At this stage gift shopping has come to an end - or at least it should be. This, for many people, is usually the point at which the panic shopping begins.
So what is panic shopping? It does exactly what it says on the tin. Look at your Christmas list. In a lot of cases, the list will have been completed. Names have been ticked off and presents have been chosen. The gift purchasing has happened. It's done. Past tense.
But unfortunately, that is all very much just in theory for a lot of us. This is the stage where we start to buy "little bits" to "go" with the presents we have already bought. It's the stage that we wander into a shop for milk and leave with a fancy candle and a gift-wrapped bottle of perfume.
The reality is that this panic shopping is dangerous, stressful and in many cases totally unnecessary. Here are five good reasons to not panic shop this week.
The Environment
Oh, I went there. All of those random extra bits and pieces come with a huge amount of packaging, plastic and materials that cannot be reused or recycled. Do the planet a favour and just buy less stuff. Every little helps.
It Might Actually Take From Your Gifts
This all sounds a bit superficial but honestly, sometimes less is more. Adding an assortment of random goodies to a gift could actually do the very opposite of what you want. It might make it seem cheaper or in need of "topping up" which is totally not the case.
People Will Get The Worst Of You
Those last-minute dashes to shopping centres are high pressured experiences. The parking, browsing and ques are far from the magical Christmas shopping that we see in the movies.
There is a very good chance you will arrive home feeling extremely stressed and that impacts the kids, your partner and those closest to you. Bring it back to what (and most importantly who) it's all about.
Marketing Is Clever
If this was a very sudden urge to pick up some extra gifts then ask yourself why. Someone is being paid a nice salary to ensure that people like you (and me) second guess themselves and crave a last-minute "bargain". The fear of missing out is alive and well this week but stick to your guns (and your list).
January Pay Day Is Many Weeks Away
Remember last year? By the end of January, you were sick of the sight of the four walls of your house and beans on toast had possibly lost its appeal too. January is a very long month and many of us struggle financially.
Do something your future self will thank you for and focus on not overspending at this time because you'll feel the pinch in a couple of weeks.