Even though Costco has had Christmas items on display since before Halloween, holiday ads have been playing on TV for almost as long, and seasonal music is being heard throughout the land, the official start of the Christmas shopping season doesn’t take place until Black Friday, the day after American Thanksgiving, which this year will be on Friday, Nov. 29.
How prepared are you (and your bank account) for holiday shopping? Take this handy quiz and find out!
1) Holiday gift-giving can get expensive. How do you cope? 1) I have a strict spending limit which I faithfully adhere to. 2) I try to budget, but sometimes I get a bit carried away. 3) If I time it right, items won’t hit my credit card statement until January, and I’ll worry about it then. 4) As long as the point-of-sale terminal keeps accepting my card, I’m good.
2) Where do you do most of your holiday shopping? 1) Local markets and craft fairs are great places to get unique items, and I’m supporting area artisans. 2) Local stores have most of what I need, and I’m supporting the community. 3) Big box stores are great, and I’m supporting multinational corporations. 4) Amazon all the way, and I’m supporting one of the world’s richest men.
3) How do you decide on what gifts to give? 1) I carefully consider each person on my list, taking into account any hobbies or special interests they have so the gift is personalized. 2) I pick things I think they’ll like based on what I know of them. 3) I pick things I think they’ll like based on guesses. 4) I pick whatever Amazon suggests is popular, because the algorithm never lies.
4) What sorts of gifts do you like to give? 1) Experiences, like concert tickets or spa days, because most people don’t need more “stuff”. 2) Gift cards at a store they like to shop at; it’s a bit impersonal but people can get what they want. 3) Items I think they’ll like, because who doesn’t like getting stuff? 4) You can’t go wrong with a good novelty gift.
5) Small children can be difficult to buy for. What do you do? 1) Small children don’t handle disappointment well, so I ask them directly what they want, for a happy Christmas Day. 2) I buy them more of things they already have and like. 3) I buy whatever seems to be selling well at Costco. 4) No one ever went wrong buying a small child a drum kit or ant farm.
6) When do you do your Christmas shopping? 1) I’ve been picking up special items as I see them throughout the year. 2) I usually get started around Black Friday. 3) Mid-December is soon enough (if I’m lucky, some stores have started their sales by then). 4) Christmas Eve is made for shopping!
7) If you shop on Black Friday, how do you make sure you’re really getting a deal? 1) I’ve been carefully researching items I have my eye on, to make sure I get the best price. 2) I shop at a big name store that I think I can trust. 3) If it’s the right colour/size/model I just get it without checking. 4) I totally trust the people advertising deals on dubious online sites.
8) How do you wrap your gifts? 1) I use items like handmade tea towels, that are decorative and useful. 2) I use (mostly) recyclable Christmas wrap. 3) I use whatever wrapping paper I have on hand. 4) The bags and boxes things came in are fine; people are more interested in what’s inside, amirite?
How did you do? If you picked mostly 1, you’re at the top of everyone’s “nice” list. If you scored mostly 2, you might get a job as Santa’s helper. If you scored mostly 3, Mrs. Claus would like a word with you. If you scored mostly 4, expect a lump of coal in your stocking.
