Dec 12, 2011
It is that time of the year again which some of us love, and some of us love to hate. Christmas festivities can be stressful, particularly if it is left to the last minute! The Festive Season in New Zealand means endless days and nights of activities in both personal and professional circles; and this combined with Christmas dinners to prepare, gifts to buy, and cards to send to mention just a few can mean a stressful few weeks leading up to the big day. Here are a few tips to help make your lead up to Christmas a little less stressful:Tips to Avoid Christmas ShoppingStress
1. Be prepared and start shopping early
2. Set a budget and spread your spending
3. Make a list of who you need to buy for and what you want to buy.
4. Shop around online before you head out to for the best buy.
5. Stick to your Budget – if necessary take only what you can afford with you.
6. Keep receipts and put them in a safe place in case you need them later on.
7. Keep in mind your rights on exchanges and refunds or get gift voucher return cards.
8. If buying gift vouchers check the terms and conditions and expiry dates to ensure the recipient will be able to redeem them with ease and remember they are like cash so keep them safe.
9. Pay off bills as early in the New Year as you can.
10. Buy next year's cards and wrapping paper in New Year sales and be prepared for next year!
11. Attend the Student Christmas parties that are organised by Quantum Education Group and have some fun!!!!
And most of all remember it is the thought that counts … meaningful gifts are the best gifts.
Tip for Christmas Meals
1. Keep it simple – less is more at times like this
2. You don’t have to prepare everything yourself spread the load
3. Delegate tasks like table settings so you are not overwhelmed both preparation and the expense
4. If it is a casual event go for disposable plates etc to make the clean up as effortless as possible
5. Why not use the Kiwi tradition of ‘Bring a Plate’ – where each attendee brings a different food dish on a plate…not just the crockery.
And remember it is only one day you do not need to buy for a week.
Christmas is also a time to gather and be reunited with friends and family. The festive season comes more enjoyable and fun when you do it to highlight these more important things.
For those of you who need a little help here are the Top 10 Christmas searches on Trade Me: Past week
1. iPhones/iPods/iPads
2. Karen Walker/Trelise Cooper clothing
3. Scooters
4. Dogs/puppies
5. BBQs
6. Trampolines
7. Kayaks
8. Lego
9. Country Road
10. Jet boats
And for those of you who want to take a walk down memory lane check out the top gifts over the past 70 years
2011 – Lets Rock Elmo Toy
2010 – Apple iPad
2009 – Nook E-Reader
2008 – Elmo Live
2007 – iPod Touch
2006 – Play Station 3
2005 - X-Box 360
2004 – Robosapiens
2003-2002 – Beyblades
2001 – Bratz
2000 – Razor Scooters
1999 – Pokemon
1998 – Furby
1997 – Tamagotchi
1996 – Tickle Me Elco
1995 – Beanie Babies
1994 – 1993 – Mighty Power Rangers
1992 – Barney Talking Doll
1991 – POG
1990 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1989 – GameBoy
1985 – Care Bears
1984 – The Transformers
1983 – Cabbage Patch Kids
1982 – BMX Bikes
1981 – The Smurfs
1980 – Rubi’s Cubes
1978 – Hungry Hippo’s Game
1977 – Slime
1975 – The Pet Rock
1959 – Barbie
1952 – Mr Potato Head
1943 – The Slinky
1936 – Monopoly
1930 – Mickey and Minnie Mouse Handkerchiefs
1929 – Yoyo’s
Source: http://www.esquire.com/the-side/gifts/top-christmas-gifts#fbIndex1
From the team here at Quantum Education we would like to wish you a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.
