One week until Christmas Eve and I’m sure everyone has been scurrying around trying to get their last minute preparations in order.
I hope that you are sitting somewhere comfortable while reading this article and that you are squeezing in a few moments for yourself before you re-enter the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
Every moment we can spend in our homes is a moment of refreshment and a reason to stop and be thankful for every blessing we have received.
If you haven’t discovered the miracle of online shopping I encourage you to give it a try as it has revolutionized my shopping experience.
With some sites you can order to your door or order for in-store pick up. This is the way to go! To shop in your bathrobe and let the retailers come to you, it is a breeze to compare store to store pricing either by jumping from web site to web site or by keeping local flyers beside you as you shop.
Even if you pre shop online and choose to go into the store to purchase the item, you are further ahead and will be far less stressed when you go to purchase your item.
You can choose a convenient time to travel to the store and even take advantage of early morning small crowds. The web will usually tell you if an item is in stock or has been sold out and how long it is on sale for. This gives you more time to relax in front of your beautifully decorated tree as you sip your favorite beverage out of your beloved Santa mug.
I understand that some people are nervous about using credit cards online but with the invention of PayPal and Visa debit cards you can safely use web sites of major retail chains. You can even apply for a low limit credit card that is used exclusively for online purchases which isn’t linked to your personal bank accounts.
Any of these options will help you shop securely and give you more peace of mind about using credit online.
If this is the season of comfort and joy, why not shop in the comfort of your home?
Plan for a leisurely Sunday morning and brew some aromatic coffee. Open your blinds and let the luminous sun pour into your bedroom. Bring your coffee, flyers and your tablet or laptop back to your bedroom and snuggle into some soft pillows as you enjoy the decor in your master bedroom and don’t you DARE get out of your jammies!
Use a few hours on a quiet morning to either place orders for Christmas or round up your favorite items so that when you do venture out the shopping list is on paper and you know exactly where to stop.
After the presents are unwrapped and the last person has gone to bed I hope your tradition of sitting on the couch and admiring the twinkling tree isn’t fraught with ‘I sure wish I had spent more time at home this year’.
If you have taken advantage of online shopping your desire for time in your home will have been fulfilled and you can enter the New Year refreshed and rejuvenated.
Kim Meckler is an interior designer in Red Deer with Carpet Colour Centre.