Rules for Christmas Shopping

Every year I become more and more annoyed with holiday shoppers. It is amazing to me that a season that is supposed to be about appreciating the things we have brings out the worst in people. The fighting over parking spaces, outbursts at the store clerks, the complete disregard for anyone else in your path of getting that perfect Christmas present, etc.... No wonder so many people are turning to online shopping. It is seeming increasingly enticing with each stressful trip to the mall. Shopping had felt like such a treat being an hour and a half away from stores but I am reverting back to my disdain for those large box stores and their flashy red sale signs.
After all my adventures, I am starting a list of rules for Christmas shopping with some points being applicable year round.

1. Double strollers do not belong at the mall

2. A public restroom is not the appropriate place to carry on a phone conversation with your husband about whether or not he got the plasma screen television that was advertised as being on sale

3. Not everyone wants to go the same speed as you so spanning the whole walkway with your group of 5 is best left for family pictures or being spectators

4. Bringing your children to see Santa when they haven't had their naps not only makes a tearful picture but also irritated bystanders

5. Teenage girls should not be dropped off to roam the mall

6. Sales people that are stationed right by the entrance to greet shoppers and tell them about the sales are more of a deterrence than they are inviting

7. AGE APPROPRIATE SHOPPING!!!! Why does it seem like there are more women than ever in denial about their age and trying on extremely short dresses in the juniors section?

8. Stores were set up to cater to hundreds of people, not just you.

9. Buying some piece of junk just so you have something to wrap up is a waste of money for you and more of a hassle for the receiver

10. You don't need to wear your highest heels and your shortest skirt to go shopping. It is the mall, not a club.

11. Shop with a purpose, don't just meander through the store

12. Treat walkways like traffic lanes: a fast lane and a slow lane for walking

13. The best gifts can't be bought