It’s the Most Wonderful time of the Year…Christmas Shopping: Ways to have a fast and efficient shopping trip!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Stay tuned for carolling, cookies, treats, holiday dinners and yes, christmas shopping. Don’t panic! There are eight days until Christmas and that leaves plenty of time to get those presents under the tree. Here are some fast and efficient ways to get your holiday shopping done in a matter of hours (or minutes, depending on your time restraint)! Don’t be Ebenezer Scrooge! Instead, be the Santa of your family and friends!

1. Making a list, and checking it twice

The planning process is possibly the most time consuming, therefore, the key element to getting things done efficiently and orderly is having a list. This list includes the names of those you need to buy for, with potential gift ideas for each person. It is important to narrow down your ideas to two. That way, you wouldn’t be standing in a store for half an hour trying to figure out whether or not they’d like it. Double check that you have everyone accounted for.

2. Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?

Once you have potential gift ideas for everyone, choosing the location is next. Jumping from place to place won’t help with the limited amount of time, so you need one-stop-shop. Malls are great since there are about 100+ stores to choose form. A great location is Downtown, Vancouver. If you’ve selected a mall, make sure all the items on your list are available there. Once you’ve reached your location, grab a mall directory and plan your route!

3. Walking in a winter wonderland

The mall is a great place for distractions with all of its festive decorations, cheerful music and mobs shoppers getting in your way. Don’t be distracted with your surroundings. Rather, hone in on your target and go!

4. You better watch out, you better not cry!

Time is not on your side, so don’t waste time searching for what you need in a store if you can’t find it. Retail staff were hired on for a reason, to help people like you! Upon entering a store, the first thing you should find is a sales associate, and they should be able to grab what you need right away! Don’t walk around like a headless chicken, just ASK. Wasting time could lead to someone else grabbing those last pair of socks you needed for Jimmy!

5. Jingle bells, Jingle bells

Ok, maybe not bells, but that would be the sound of jingling change in your pocket from all your purchases. Use your extra change and donate to get your gifts wrapped! The mall gift wrapping stations usually donate their earnings to charity, so, you are ideally killing two birds with one stone, getting all your gifts wrapped AND donating towards a good cause.

6. Jolly Ol’ St. Nick

You’ll feel just like Santa after completing your Christmas shopping! Hopefully, these few steps and tasks will help in reducing your stress throughout the gift purchasing process. Now you can start on those Christmas goodies!

Spread the Christmas cheer and happy holidays!

About the Author: Heather Lam

Heather is one of the newest members to join the Y57 team! If she isn't busting out her swag or dancing in them stiletto heel pumps for two of Vancouver's dance crews, she is studying on the lone mountain of SFU finishing her third year as a Communications major. Heather is constantly inspired by her surroundings to reach for the stars as she strives for only the best to come. Her interests include hip hop dancing, snowboarding and basketball. Having to travel the distance thus so far in life, nothing is impossible for this upbeat and outgoing girl. FUN FACT: Heather has played the clarinet for seven years!

Random

Name: Tamara Spotted: Burnaby Heights School: Port Moody Secondary . Style Inspiration: Tamara said she didn't really have one, if that really is the case, watch out future fashionistas, this girl's got one up on us all! 3 Favourite Stores: 1. Urban Planet 2. Guess 3. Aldo . What's the one fashion item you couldn't live without? "Definitely a good pair ofLook of the Week - Tamara

The recent Rio Theatre vs. B.C. Liquor Control debacle has caused widespread discontent among locals and the remaining supporters of single-screen movie theatres. According to new liquor laws, theatres with liquor licenses are now able to both screen movies and serve alcohol--just not at the same time. Furthermore, showtimes would haveHow Outdated Are the Liquor Laws?

April 16th, 2011 was the 4th annual Record Store Day, and for many record stores local to Vancouver, it translated to live bands and superb sales. Throughout the day, many of Vancouver's most popular record shops played host to a magnificent celebration of the Vancouver independent music scene. Shops like Neptoon Records on MainRecord Store Day 2011

Closing Date: Sept. 19, 2011 Teck Resources Limited is Canada’s largest diversified resource company. Teck is committed to responsible mining and mineral development with major business units focused on focused on copper, steelmaking coal, zinc and energy. The company has an exciting opportunity for a communications professional to join Teck’s Corporate AffairsTECK Communications Coordinator

The concept of Online Education is undeniably attractive. Schooling from home, in theory, allows for people to complete courses on their own time, from accredited universities, while balancing other obligations that prevent commutes and in-person lectures from being practical. But is it time for Online Education to transcend this niche andAn Objective Look at Online Education

Skateboarding is something that I’ve tried a few times. Unfortunately, I have yet to successfully accomplish staying on the board for more than a couple of seconds. It is something I find to be extremely difficult, and thought “how could anyone have the patience for this?” Josh “Skreech” Sandoval sure asVIFF: 'Dragonslayer' Tristan Patterson