The Boxing Week Survival Guide

Here we are. One shopping season is over with, and another commences with the arrival of Boxing Week. It's that glorious time of year where deals overwhelm pocketbooks, and jolt our brains into thinking that we don't just want something, but we absolutely need it.

When it comes to this occasion, I can't be one to judge someone on how to about this Boxing Week business. Sure, I think it's a little ridiculous to wait for hours in line for anything, and I don't think it's cool how aggressive people can become in malls or parking lots. But if someone wants to throw a huge amount of dough into the registers of retailers, who am I to say anything?

However, I have been a member of many Boxing Week shopping mobs, and have decided to offer you some tips on how to survive the last week of the year.

1. Don't be a Maniac

It's plain and simple. Don't be one of those individuals that pushes or bumps people out of the way to get a product, and don't yell at the cashier if something goes wrong during the transaction. It's not necessary. I don't care how much of an adrenaline rush you get from the sight of an extraordinary deal, or how much stress is remaining in your system from the holiday rush. Being a jerk to fellow shoppers or store employees is inexcusable, whether they push your buttons ornot. Be the better person, and move on.

2. Set a Budget

It's certainly easy to spend until you're broke (or even worse, deep in debt), but don't do it. If you do, chances are that a few days after the Boxing Week rush is over for you, you'll look at your latest acquisitions and realize that at least half of them were knee-jerk purchases. From experience, it's way better to sit there and say, "Man, I should've bought x and y," and be able to afford groceries, than to look at the bags and receipts and wonder,"Hmm, maybe I should attempt an all water diet this week."

3. Have a Plan

Too many times I have found myself circling stores, malls, and cities for the greatest deals. By lunch my legs are cramped, my head is throbbing, and I begin despising my fellow shoppers because, like me, they have fallen victim to the temptation of taking advantage of as many deals as possible, as opposed to determining ahead of time which deals to pursue. By figuring out what you truly want/need during Boxing Week, you will save yourself some energy, money, and from having to pose in the fetal until all feels right with the world again.

4. Eat

Food courts suck on Boxing Week, and restaurants (to the enthusiastic shopper) take too much time out of the shopping day to truly be enjoyed. Nevertheless, one must eat. I don't care if it's energy bars in the pockets, a picnic basket in the backseat, or setting up a mini grill on a patch of grass by the mall to cook some frankfurters can on the fly. Eating is a must. The nutrients will keep you functional and stop you from becoming that person that faints straight into the display model of the must-have big=screen TV.

5. Have Fun

Boxing Week can be overwhelming, but it should be fun as well. It's exciting to be able to get something you or your household truly need, for a bargain basement price. Sure, the crowds, traffic, and cash outlay can lead to an absolute freak out; but try to resist. It's only shopping, and there are far more things in life to get stressed about. Not being first in line, or not coming away with a certain product shouldn't be some of those things.

Now, saddle up and ride!

Photo by: Graur Razvan Ionut
www.freedigitalphotos.net