How to Have the Perfect Christmas Shopping Experience

Ever thought about finishing that Christmas list in a single day? Now that we are faced with our second weak economy Christmas, working on a budget shouldn't be new for most people. Here are a few ways to get through that list without resorting to the bottle...of eggnog, of course.


6 steps to the perfect Christmas shopping experience:

1. Make your list, check it twice, then print out a copy!

2. Look at that list and think about who is on it. The best way to shop is with a clear idea of each individual's interests.

3. Set a budget. Determine how much you can spend in total, then how much for each person. Be realistic based on gifts you had in mind.

4. Start online. Most sites offer special discount codes, free shipping and reduced prices. Check out different websites - you never know where you'll find a deal. This can save you a lot of stress and time.

5. Use catalogues. They may seem old fashioned, but they are a quick and easy way to shop. Most come with size charts too!

6. Head to the mall. Avoid peak times such as weekends, they're rarely productive. If you want to capitalize on deals, try Friday night instead.

Don't forget it's never too early to start shopping. Many sales in January and the spring are better than those you find around Christmas. Take advantage of deals and store gifts until Christmas. It's always a treat to pull out that box and find you're almost done your shopping!

Another Reason New York City does Christmas Better than you!

I love New York. Just like guest blogger Olivia Horbasz. To reinforce the very true fact that New York does Christmas better than you do, here is another reason why:

Enjoy some holiday shopping at the famous Saks Fifth Avenue department store

4. Shopping

There is no greater variety, no better deal, no prettier landscape to shop against than the great city of New York. Try it, I guarantee that you'll agree.

Christmas time in New York is like no place else. If you ever have a hard time catching that Christmas spirit, just give the city a visit!

3 Reasons why New York City does Christmas better than you!

I love New York. No really. I love, love, love New York.

Someone recently asked me when my favourite time to visit the great city was.

At first I said Spring. I like walking around and seeing all the trees and flowers beginning to bloom. Plus it’s Tony season.

Then I corrected myself. Autumn. I like walking through Central Park as the leaves are changing colours.

But then I remembered Christmas.

New York at Christmas time is absolutely my favourite time of year to visit the city.

New York does Christmas better than any other city in the world. And there are three reasons for this.

1. Store Window Displays

The most famous windows are the Macy's windows. This year Macy’s did Miracle on 34^th Street windows and did some letters to Santa windows.

Also fantastic though are the windows on Fifth Avenue. Cartier makes its storefront look like a present. Bergdorf Goodman has a music theme this year.

2. Lights

Time Warner Center. Absolutely the most beautiful display of lights ever. The stars hang from the ceiling and change colour. Starting at 5pm they change colours to music.

3. Rockefeller Christmas Tree

This glorious tree is the focal point for New York’s Christmas. The lighting ceremony is televised every year. People line up to take a picture with the tree. Vendors try to sell pictures of the tree. There isn’t a New Yorker in the world who is jaded enough to skip out on this holiday tradition.

So there you have it. New York does Christmas better than you do. But hey, try to prove me wrong. I dare you.

Guest blog by Olivia

It's Never Been Like That... By: Amanda Burcul

Saturday night's Phoenix concert at the Sound Academy ranked #2 on my list of best concerts ever attended. Believe me, that's saying something. Between the lights, the staging, the showmanship and the energy shown by all band members, Phoenix put on a phenomenal show that all music lovers could appreciate.


Hailing from Paris, France, the band consists of four guys: Thomas Mars, Christian Mazzalai, Laurent 'Branco' Brancowitz and Deck D'Arcy. With their first album 'United' being release in 2000, the band has since evolved with a new sound - shown in their last two albums - that has earned them greater fame and popularity. Their recent release 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' has even produced several songs that have been used for commercial purposes and has earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album.

All of this change and excitement reverberated through their show last night as they took the stage to a packed house and screaming crowd. Leading their set with the second single off their latest album, they jumped into 'Lisztomania' with all the enthusiasm of an indie Toronto band opening their first show at the Big Bop. Crowd favourties such as 'Consolation Prize', 'Napoleon Says' and 'Fences' followed.

Always a favourite, I made sure to take ample video of 'Rally': http://bit.ly/6eNR5p

The entire show was like a reunion, with everyone singing along, people bonding like they'd known each other for years and many dancing in the very small amount of space they had. This all culminated with one of the most inclusive and exciting endings to a concert I had ever seen. When the band returned for their encore, they didn't wrap it up with a quick song, instead choosing to perform three songs and an interlide. They then broke up their last song of the night - the radio friendly '1901' - with a surprise body surfing expedition by singer Thomas Mars and a crowd dance party on the stage. It was an experience. I managed to get a portion on video. But I had to put down my camera for the rest - I was too busy dancing up a storm... http://bit.ly/8JCZMr