If you’re feeling stressed at the thought of all the things you have to buy before December 25th, don’t be.

Christmas shopping can be a wonderful experience if you just look around you and savour the sights and sounds around you!

Here are seven of our favourite things about shopping in December:

1. The Christmassy atmosphere

The lights, the decorations, the music, people laughing, giving to charity, kids faces filled with joy as they meet Santa…

There’s nowhere quite like a high street shopping centre in the month of December for that joyful Christmas atmosphere!

2. The beautiful window displays

Shop windows have gotten more and more impressive over the years and even though they’re also getting earlier every year, they’re so spectacular that we forgive them!

(Not before Halloween though….!)

3. The amazing food that we only eat at this time of year!

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It’s the only time of year where you can put four tubs of Roses, Quality Street, Heroes and Celebrations in your trolley and not have anyone judge you.

And don’t get us started on the mince pies, brandy butter, mulled wine and other foods that only get an airing at this time of year! They’re so good – why don’t we have them all year round?

4. The fun of picking out something for someone we love

While trying to figure out what to buy someone can sometimes be a hassle, when you’ve found the perfect gift, it’s the best feeling in the world.

You’ll spend the next two weeks imagining their face when they open it!

5. The sales

Once Black Friday hits at the end of November, the Christmas sales kind of continue throughout the month of December.

If you’re really smart, you’ll wait until the last few days when several stores do major discounts to make sure all their stock goes before the end of the month!

And if you pick up a few bits and bobs for yourself while you’re at it, how bad?

6. The carol-singers

Christmas music is so lovely and it’s always a pleasure to see choirs in various shopping centres and streets, filling the air with gorgeous music for a good cause.

They really add to the shopping experience and deserve all the credit they get!

7. The feeling of satisfaction when it’s all done

While the shopping experience itself can be a great one, the feeling of satisfaction you get when you’ve everything ticked off your list is soooo good!!

Now, all you have to do is wrap everything and you’re done.