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Shopping With Kids At Christmas
Once parenthood strikes, gone are the days of the last-minute, quick-and-easy, in-and-out Christmas shopping trip. Any shopping trip, but especially a Christmas shopping trip, is anything but quick-and-easy, when a little child is involved.
Once parenthood strikes, gone are the days of the last-minute, quick-and-easy, in-and-out Christmas shopping trip. Any shopping trip, but especially a Christmas shopping trip, is anything but quick-and-easy, when a little child is involved.
First of all, there’s no such thing as speedy shopping, anymore. Those late-night shopping trips, when the malls stay open for extended hours, and the stores are less crammed, are out. So, daytime and early evening, when stores are most crowded, are your only choices.
The idea of being stuck in a crowded store with young kids, at Christmastime, is fearful, to be sure. But a little preparation and strategy can help to make your Christmas season a little less stressful, when you’re out among the shopping hordes.
Let your children know ahead of time what he should expect from your shopping trip. Explain your shopping goals to them and your reasons for going to the stores you’re visiting. For instance, that sweater that Aunt Sally wants can only be found at one store, so you’ll be heading there as part of your trip.
Ask your children if there’s anything they need to shop for on this trip. Maybe it’s the perfect time to buy that gift for Grandpa. Involving your children as active participants will help to keep them interested the whole trip.
If the mall or store where you’re shopping has a Santa Claus, let your kids know, ahead of time, tell them to be prepared to ask Santa to bring them what they want for Christmas. This helps to keep them in an anticipatory mood, rather than being bored with the outing.
Be aware that your children will tire quickly, and get hungry and thirsty more often than you. And when they do, their attention spans will vanish. Be sure to take some healthy snacks on your shopping trip, to satisfy those needs.
Check with other parents and find out which shopping centers have the best childrens’ play areas. Many will have certified adult supervision, so that you can leave your kids to play, while you shop.
Plan ahead, with your kids, and promise them a prize for good behavior, when the shopping journey is over. But be sure to award such a prize, only if they’ve earned it. They’ll learn to associate misbehavior with adverse consequences, and hopefully, your next trip will be more pleasant.
Christmas shopping with young children isn’t easy. But, with a little planning, you can make it a bit saner, and involve them in this annual ritual.