It’s that time of year where I start buying Christmas gifts for my friends and family. From what I can tell, people seem to split into two camps when it comes to this topic. They either love doing it, or they don’t because they find it stress. I have to say, I’m one of those who really enjoys it.

I like being able to choose things to give to my nearest and dearest. I like the challenge of trying to pick something I think they’ll really like, and, well it’s just nice to do something nice. Especially when the people I buy for spend a lot of time helping me out all year long and don’t ask for anything in return.

That said, Christmas shopping also comes with its own list of things that I might have to ask various people to help me with. For example, I have to use both of my hands to pull my walking frame Martha along behind me, so I can only carry as much as I can hang on the sides of  her without it getting to heavy to lift the frame up and down kurbs.

Getting stuck in doorways is also an issue that I have to be on the lookout for. Sometimes when it happens it can be quite funny, but it can be quite stressful too because Martha doesn’t go backwards so getting myself out of said doorway can be…interesting. Yes, that is defiantly the word.

So, a relative or a friend will often come with me to help me carry things. This takes careful planning to make sure that I take someone different when I want to get that particular person’s gift because I like to surprise people. This can sometimes take more planning than you might think.

Then again, I tend to find that planning is the key because I like to try and get everything done early in case any snow hits, at which point I start to find it hard to leave the house. I start early and make lots of little trips. Getting everything ready in time takes a couple of months, but it’s worth it. It’s always handy to have someone with me who can help me make my way through the crowds without getting bumped into or accidently tripping someone up with my wheels.

I know that I always have the option to shop online, but I actually quite like to wonder around the shops and picking things out because it makes it feel more personal and like I said earlier, i find it quite fun. Well, as long as it’s not too busy that is. When the town in packed, that just makes it harder.

After all that, then comes the process of wrapping them all. That’s a post for another time.

What are your tips for Christmas Shopping?