Christmas Shopping in the Time of COVID

Image: smallbizclub.com

Knowing myself, this will likely become my norm for Christmas shopping, if not shopping of any kind.

Because the pandemic is keeping me at home and away from the stores, I've actually come out ahead when it comes to shopping. I'm the type of consumer who usually leaves my Christmas shopping to the end, typically going to the stores on Christmas Eve and wrapping gifts after the kids go to bed, which meant I didn't get to bed, myself, until about three on Christmas morning.

I've been turning to Amazon for gifts that I can't find, online, at local shops. For in-town stores, I've shopped online, and either the business has offered free delivery or I've picked up the purchased item, curbside. One of my daughters wanted an old video game, and thanks to Kijiji, I was able to make a safe transaction.

Already, almost all of my shopping is done. Already, I've started wrapping gifts as they've arrived on my doorstep. Come Christmas Eve, I'll be free to help DW with some of her baking. We'll be able to sit down and watch our favourite Christmas movies, together.

This pandemic has made this year pretty miserable, but if I can find one silver lining, it is that it's made the misery of Christmas shopping more bearable.