With the last few days before Christmas quickly approaching, everyone is in a rush to finish their last minute shopping. Whether it be big important gifts or small details it can get stressful. It's bad enough that you are doing last minute shopping but add one of the most populated cities with one of the most visited times of the year and you're bound to want to walk yourself right into a wall or scream! Traffic, crowds, tourists are what most New Yorkers always try to avoid but it gets difficult around this time of year. But don't worry, I am here to help you get through it with some of the best tips to survive shopping during the holiday season in NYC. Timing is the most important.
1. Shop during the weekdays: I CANNOT stress this enough. AVOID the weekends!!!! I know it's difficult when you have work or more important obligations to take care of but if it is important last minute shopping you have to do! You might have to take half of the day off of work or take an earlier lunch break. But seriously you DO NOT want to be stuck in holiday shopping traffic, in the parking lot at the mall, standing on long lines or rushing through crowds. It's just not worth it.
2. Shop really early, really late, or when everyone is eating: When I say this, I assume you have followed tip #1. If you are shopping on the last weekend before Christmas it will be crowded all day so don't expect this to work. However, if you are shopping during the week while the kids are still at school and most people are at work you will appreciate this. Malls open early and stay open a little later. So get there when the mall opens or a few hours before it closes. The lines are smaller, the traffic is lighter and you will feel a lot better. I prefer mornings over afternoons because some high school students get out early and hang out at the mall/stores. Rush hour in the afternoon begins between 2:00-2:30 so if you plan to go out around that time your screwed! So be prepared for the wrath!
3. Know what you are getting: Last minute shopping is NOT about wandering off and looking for things for yourself so stay focused! Timing is everything and the last thing you want to do is get lost looking for something you like. (I'm guilty of this! LOL) Time flies in NYC so before you know it, it will be rush hour and you will be stuck in a line you could of avoided. Come with a list of what you need to get and where they sell it. If you don't know where they sell it search online before you go! Thank goodness for the internet, we can save some time shopping for the best deals online.
4. Eat before you leave, when you are done, or bring snacks: Shopping works your appetite and with the food court and fast food restaurants available everywhere, you are bound to want to stop for a snacks or something big to eat. All this does is slow you down!!! If you stop to eat you lose an hour of shopping. Ordering, finding a seat, and then that heavy full feeling you get after you eat is not going to help your flow. Eat something before you go or pack light snacks to munch on while you wait on lines.
5. Set an appointment for a haircut, mani/pedi, a glass of wine or whatever relaxes you afterward: Once you are in rush mode it can take a toll on your body both mentally and physically. If you wind up in the traffic or the crowds you are going to hate it. If you haven't yelled at anyone you might when you get home. So get some pampering afterward to wind down after all that shopping. After accomplishing so much in so little time you should definitely be rewarded!
Happy Holidays!
Love,
Miss_NYCity
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