This post was sponsored by Red Mango
Every year, as soon as Fall comes around, I start thinking about Christmas. Each year, I endeavor to have all of my holiday shopping done before December 1st rolls around. Even if you
I’ve found that this helps me when I’m budgeting for the holidays, and also diminishes stress in the weeks leading up to the holidays so I can focus on fun things like baking cookies with the kids or doing other fun holiday things with them!
How to get your holiday shopping done in one day
It all comes down to having a game plan. In my opinion you need three basic things.
- An exhaustive list of gifts/recipients
- An epic smoothie to get through the FULL day of shopping
- A babysitter who will keep your kids for a full day (and night)
It all comes down to these three things. And this is how you can get your shopping done in one day, even if you didn’t get it done before December 1st.
Start with an awesome list
I begin by putting all the names of everyone who will be receiving a gift from us that year on a piece of paper. It’s so easy to forget people when you are out and about so starting with this list is essential, or you’ll end up having to go out a second day to get something for some one that you forgot.
Then, you can go down your list and write out specific items you want to purchase for your list. Write the item and the store where you will find the item, next to their names.
If you aren’t sure what you want to get for some one, but know which store you’ll be looking for their gift in, just write the store name or website next to their name.
From there, pull all the stores from your list and make a shopping plan based on where the stores are in your town. This will help you stay focused as you shop because you will always know where you are going next.
Don’t lose this list!!! It will be your lifeline during a huge day of shopping.
An epic smoothie
I’ve found refueling to be a critical part of this process. If you don’t fuel your body properly you’ll give up before your huge shopping day is done. As you plan out your shopping day, use this map to see where the closest Red Mango is to you, and add it to your list!
Red Mango has three new smoothies for Fall, and they are so rich with Fall flavors, you are sure to love them. Pumpkin Spice, Roasted Peanut Butter, and Banana Chai. Try one, or if you are shopping with friends, you can each get a different flavor so you can try them all!
I was amazed at the depth of Fall flavor they put in my Roasted Peanut Butter Smoothie, it had a little kick of Fall spice to it that made it the perfect companion for a busy day.
As you stop at Red Mango in the middle of your shopping day, you can use the time to take a breather in their fun and inviting atmosphere, or you could hop on your phone and do some of your online shopping from the comfort of the Red Mango store, and with a tasty smoothie in hand.
You can be confident as you sip that you are enjoying something that is not only delicious, but also SO GOOD for you! The smoothies are all natural, gluten free and made with coconut milk. The perfect fuel for a busy day, any time of the year!
Also good to know, the same awesome people (BRIX Holdings) that own Red Mango, also owns other health-conscious locations like: Soothie Factory, Souper Salad and Red Brick Pizza. Perfect stops for lunch or dinner along your way, when you are done with your smoothie and almost ready to end your day of shopping.
The last thing you’ll need to make this epic shopping day work is…
A good babysitter
If you have kids, you know this is a MUST. Taking kids shopping is never a fun option, but for holiday shopping it’s basically impossible.
Trade shopping days with a friend, or enlist the help of Grandma. Do whatever you have to do, but get them taken care of for the full day, and overnight if you can!
If you are able to drop them off somewhere to stay the night, then you can come home, and kick your feet up and relax after a huge day OR keep going into the night by wrapping all the gifts before your kids get home.
It may take a lot to get through a huge day like this, BUT it’s so much better than stressing about gifts for a whole month!
Be sure you swing by a Red Mango location near you to try one of their new, delicious Fall smoothies! Which will you try first? Banana Chai, Roasted Peanut Butter or Pumpkin Spice? Let us know in the comments and then tell me how many holiday gifts you’ve already purchased! We can make our plans together!
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