As an efficient gift buyer myself, I would like to share some of my shopping tips to help everyone have a merry Christmas this year.
Call me a cliché, sports-minded male, but I believe most challenges in life are best approached with a competitive game mentality.
So here we go. First, it's all about small victories when shopping. Forget big glories because they can lead to large failures.
First step: find a parking space – this can be nearly impossible on a weekend at a London mall. So remember to aim small. Go to the outer edge of the parking lot near the least used exits, or beside a shopping cart corral, you're sure to find a spot at these pieces of undesirable parking lot real estate.
Don't drive up to the entrance near a department store hoping to get lucky – you'll only end up disappointed. And never try the stalker method (slowly following a pedestrian as they exit the store) because the shopper is probably running back to their car to deposit some bags, and more importantly, it's weird and annoying.
It's all about strong starts, so spending 20 minutes looking for parking is going to break your confidence. And confidence is essential to efficient and successful shopping.
Once in the mall have some sort of game plan – don't just wander around aimlessly hoping to stumble into great gifts. Come equipped with a list – either paper or digital – of everyone you need to buy for and potential gift ideas for each person.
A piece of advice I live by when playing basketball, is always go for an easy first shot. This, too, can be applied to Christmas shopping. Begin with someone who's going to love anything you give them, whether it's a box of chocolates or a spatula. I like to start my shopping by buying a present for my cats; they never complain about anything I get them.
Once you got that easy-to-buy-for person checked off your list, move up the hierarchy towards the more difficult friends and family members. Remember, if you get stuck on someone's gift don't spend too much time searching for it – just move on to the next person on your list. With each check mark you put beside a name your list, your confidence will build.
And don't make the amateur mistake of taking a break from shopping for a bite to eat in the food court, or you'll lose your momentum. Instead, use food as a reward for when you're done shopping. Always keep your eye on the prize: getting out of the mall with a gift for everyone on your list.
Once you get into a present-buying grove then it's time to tackle the hardest person on your list, which is usually a significant other. Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions for a gift that is sure to please your spouse or loved one, but if you follow my shopping advice, by the time you get to that special person, you'll have no problem finding them the perfect present.
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