Cramming for Christmas

Ten thousand and 80 minutes, 168 hours, or seven days — how do you measure a week? Perhaps this coming week should be measured in the length of lines, in money spent, or in the number of parties to be attended.

With the clock racing towards the most loved holiday of the year, there is little time left to buy gifts for friends and family.

Anyone going to malls, bazaars, and marketplaces on the weekend before Christmas is either really patient, really desperate, or a combination of the two.

Even on the days leading up to Dec. 25, shopping areas and groceries are full to bursting as folks frantically buy last-minute Christmas presents and Noche Buena groceries.

I’ve had lots of experience buying last-minute gifts. It’s no fun. The overpriced items being sold in stores are basically the dregs, the leftovers from weeks of Christmas sales.

Toys are often really cheap-looking or broken, and if not, they’re really expensive. The only clothes left are those in extreme sizes — either they’re size zero dresses or 42-inch-waisted pants. And a lot of clothes look like they escaped from someone’s dirty laundry basket.

Buying shoes is an easier ordeal, but the average sizes are rarely available by this time. What are left of the accessories are usually the plainer, more common, or more garish items.

Ideally, all gift-buying should be done at least two weeks before Christmas, so that there is time to wrap them nicely and organize them under the tree. But, if it can’t be helped, there are ways to get some decent stuff during the holiday rush (and have enough time and money left over to have gifts wrapped too).

For those who are willing to brave the heavy human and vehicular traffic of the shopping centers, the best thing to do is get there early. The early crammer gets the parking spot and the last pair of decent trousers.

It would also be very helpful to have a list of people you’re buying presents for. Having an idea what to buy for whom makes for easier shopping than using the shotgun method.

Don’t bring little kids along, unless you really don’t have a choice. Children can slow down serious shoppers and annoy strangers at the same time. So, if you don’t care about other people, at least keep in mind that kids tend to stray, get bored and tired quickly, and nag about being hungry.

Besides, do you really need junior around when you’re haggling at a bazaar? It’s not like the saleslady will give you a lower price because your son is cute.

Leave the stroller at home too. It might seem like a good substitute for a shopping cart, but in small, crowded places, just think about how your bulky stroller will inconvenience your fellow last-minute gift buyers!

Being late for Christmas doesn’t give anyone the right to be mean or uncaring.

There are some stores where you can get some quality gifts without much of a crowd. Bookstores are good places to go to. There are few people, and books make very good presents — it’s the gift of learning, after all. But, if books aren’t your thing, most bookstores also sell toys, art and office supplies, and knick-knacks.

If you’re already at the mall, but not sure what to buy, a good bet (and a quick one at that!) is the ever-useful and always-appreciated gift certificate. Sure, it may not scream “I know you so well, so I got you this gift,” but it’s something that would be much appreciated (way better than giving a generic towel or something similar).

Of course, another option would be to avoid the shopping centers altogether. Instead, opt for products or services of a family or friend’s business. There are many bakeshops and caterers and food manufacturers who don’t have established stalls, but are available for orders.

There’s no shame in giving something from the family business. After all, even the rich and famous do it. Lucio Tan gives liquor and tobacco to friends and acquaintances for Christmas. I wonder if he gives out lots of money, too.

Speaking of money, perhaps that is the easiest way out of this Christmas cramming problem. Little red envelopes with some green and blue bills inside can be the best gifts sometimes.

If that’s too much to give right now, well, there’s always making a handmade gift like a card or hand-painted T-shirt to spread the holiday cheer.

After all, when it comes right down to it, it doesn’t really matter how big the Christmas box is, or what’s inside it (okay, maybe it does matter, just a teeny bit). The more important thing is that in this hectic time, someone took the time, money and effort to give a little love in this great season.

Clichéd as it may sound; it really is the thought that counts. Never mind if the gift cost 20 bucks or if it looks like it was wrapped by a seven-year-old.

Christmas is not a competition for giving and receiving the best and most number of gifts. It’s a time to remember our loved ones and show how much we care.

A week can be measured in many ways, but Christmas can only be measured in the care that we show to others.