Post-Bridal Show Recap: The Wedding Salon at the Montage, Beverly Hills

We have three words for Wedding Wednesday: Elegant, chic, and luxurious. The Wedding Salon recently had their annual wedding showcase at the stunning Montage Beverly Hills located in Beverly Hills, California with over 600 guests. What did these 600 guests enjoy that evening? Fabulous and amazing wedding trends, with a focus on destination and honeymoon details.  We were so happy to be part of this wonderful event and thats why today we are excited that we get to share some of the fantastic features from the event. See all the trends, wedding vendors, and gorgeous details from this exquisite wedding event.

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When we arrived before heading into the bridal event, we had to stop off and snap a photo in front of the The Wedding Salon backdrop. Of course, then we had to post it and hashtag #weddingsalon.  The fun began right there!

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Once we walked in, a fabulous display welcomed us! What a way to wow your guests! How amazing is this?

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Couples were able to enjoy bridal gown previews by bridal salons such as Lauren Elaine Bridal, Winnie Couture, and A One Night Affair with live models and mannequin displays.

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Beauty makeovers were provided by local Makeup artists like celebrity makeup artist, Kimberly Bosso who provided visuals to brides before their big day.

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Couples had the chance to meet with many of the Destination and Honeymoon venues such as The Four Seasons Resort, Montage Kapalua Bay, and Mauna Lani Bay.   We enjoyed stopping by and chatting about all the amazing features each of these venues offers for couples. It made us want to pack our bags and head to one of these fabulous locations!

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We enjoyed seeing all the talented designers who created gorgeous tablescapes and flowers. We could not stop swooning over all the pretty details. So much talent in one room!

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We had a wonderful time and thank you to The Wedding Salon for letting us be part of it.

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With Nahchey from Dash Entertainment

With Nahchey from Dash Entertainment

Dash Entertainment

Dash Entertainment

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Photography by Joan Fuller Photography

About The Wedding Salon

The Wedding Salon, the nation’s #1 premier luxury bridal showcase is the ultimate resource for wedding planning needs. Founded by celebrity wedding planner, Tatiana Byron, the Wedding Salon features luxury wedding vendors and award winning service providers showcasing the year’s must-have products and newest trends in the industry. The bridal showcase is a one-day event, designed to look and feel like a luxurious wedding catering to the affluent bride, engaged couples, celebrities and socialites. Since launching in 2004, The Wedding Salon has expanded its events to five markets across the country including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Miami.

Bridal Hot List Giveaway with The Wedding Salon

Bridal Hot List is pleased to announce that we’re hosting a giveaway featuring a free entrance to a fabulous wedding showcase, all courtesy of Wedding Salon. Its super easy to enter! All you have to do to enter is follow the instructions below. For this giveaway, one lucky winner will receive VIP entrance, admission for them and four members of their bridal party and a swag bag for everyone in the group . A winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, January 14th.

We love the bridal events hosted by Wedding Salon.  This wedding show is an event that all brides should attend. Brides will meet top wedding professionals and enjoy the many fantastic offerings such as cake tastings, cocktails, beauty makeovers, entertainment, and many more. It is an event where couples can be inspired when planning their dream wedding. Bridal Hot List attended last year and had a blast!

The wedding event will take place on January 19th at the Montage Beverly Hills, California from 4-8pm.

Enter the Giveaway

Once again we’d like to thank the folks from The Wedding Salon for offering up the prizing for this giveaway! Enter by doing the following:

1.  Liking Bridal Hot List on Instagram

2. Liking Bridal Hot List on Facebook

3. Following Bridal Hot List on Twitter

4. Liking Wedding Salon on Instagram

5. Liking Wedding Salon on Facebook

6. Following Wedding Salon on Twitter

For any other engaged reader that’s want to join in on the fun, you can register at www.weddingsalon.com

Email: Jesse@WeddingSalon.com

This event is for engaged couples and their guest only. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

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Wedding Salon the nation’s leading luxury bridal showcase where couples can discover the leading trends and best resources for their wedding. Tailored to the sophisticated couple, Wedding Salon partners with The Knot, BRIDES Magazine, California Wedding Day, Wedding Wire and Ceremony Magazine for a night of cake tastings, cocktails, beauty makeovers, entertainment, the ultimate swag bag and more.

Highlights:

  • Tastings by Chunk-n-Chip Cookies, cocktails and beauty makeovers
  • Couture gown previews and the latest men’s formalwear
  • Honeymoon giveaways and raffles including dinner for two at the Terra Restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe and a spa gift basket from Hotel Del Coronado
  • The hottest travel locations including Puerto Rico, Puerto Vallarta, Oahu, Park City and Aspen
  • The top spots for your destination wedding or honeymoon such as Secrets Resorts & Spa and Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, The Cove Atlantis Paradise Island, Montage Resort & Spa, Playa Largo Resort, Kaua’I Marriott Resort and more.
  • Venues options such as The Broadmoor, Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, InterContinetal The Clement Monterey and The Coeur d’Alene Resort
  • The opportunity to score a luxe goody bags featuring the latest bridal magazines and beauty products

 

Top Five Spooky Wedding Decor Ideas

We’ve just got a few days until Halloween, which is one of our all-time favorite holidays! The best part about Halloween is all the spooky fun, why not bring it into your wedding? If you’re having a Halloween wedding, a fall wedding, or just want to keep things a little different for your big day, we’ve got five awesome spooky tips for your wedding.

Black Lace

Want to add a dash of spooky romance? Throw in black lace into your decor. Use it in the linens, in your bridesmaid dresses, and if you’re edgy- in your veil. Black lace creates an edgy feel to the usual white lace and makes everything that much spookier and sexier. If you want to be more subtle, use it to tie your flower bouquets or incorporate it into your napkins. Little touches can go a long way.

Tall White Candles

Lately we’ve been seeing lots of tea candles or smaller candles, but if you want to make things a little spookier go for tall. Taller candles, especially with a little bit of wax drip already going, are reminiscent of haunted houses and mansions in scary stories. Candles are innately romantic, but old-vintage looking candles make it that much spookier.

Dark Red Wine

This is a subtle touch of spooky, but go for a blood-red wine. Find something deep like a cabernet or merlot and serve in goblet-shaped wine glasses. It’s sexy, it’s a little spooky, and who cares if your teeth get a little red? Our next spooky decor tip will take care of that.

Low Lighting

Keep the dimmer in business and try to rely on candlelight as much as possible. Give your photographers a heads up so they can plan the lighting for photos accordingly, but have dinner by candlelight. It’s so romantic and makes everyone look that much more mysterious. Use those tall vintage candles to light your night!

Vintage Plates and Stemware

Old school Hollywood horror stories have one big thing in common- big scary mansions where everything is vintage. Take a note and look for vintage or vintage inspired plates and stemware. We love goblet-shaped glasses for your red wine, but up the ante with some vintage plates and long elegant forks and knives. Tones like gold and more muted silvers look so pretty and still look spooky glam.

A Recap of the Bridal Showcase by Wedding Salon

Wedding Wednesday is about to get gorgeous and super pretty! The Wedding Salon recently had their annual bridal showcase at the SOFITEL Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, California with over 600 guests. What did these 600 guests enjoy that evening? Fabulous and amazing wedding trends, which we LOVE of course. It was a lovely event, and today we are excited that we get to share some of the fantastic features from the event. See all the trends, wedding vendors, and gorgeous details from this amazing wedding event.   So, now it is time to pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea, get real comfortable, and get ready to be inspired!

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Couples were able to enjoy couture gown previews by designers Nicole MillerWinnie Couture, and shop Mon Amie Bridal, with live models and mannequin displays.  

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Beauty makeovers were provided by local salons Assembly Salon and Juan Juan Salon to provide visuals to brides before their big day.

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Photography by Focus Photography

About The Wedding Salon

The Wedding Salon, the nation’s #1 premier luxury bridal showcase is the ultimate resource for wedding planning needs. Founded by celebrity wedding planner, Tatiana Byron, the Wedding Salon features luxury wedding vendors and award winning service providers showcasing the year’s must-have products and newest trends in the industry. The bridal showcase is a one-day event, designed to look and feel like a luxurious wedding catering to the affluent bride, engaged couples, celebrities and socialites. Since launching in 2004, The Wedding Salon has expanded its events to five markets across the country including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Miami.

Five Guilt-Free Bridal Shower Snacks

Bridal beauties and maids of honors- it’s time to start planning your bachelorette party events! If it’s time for you to start gathering your girls together, plan for some serious snacking. Since you all have this big event in common coming up, you may be looking for leaner options. Don’t worry, we have a bunch of tasty snacks in mind for your next bridal gathering that won’t leave you hungry.Hummus.jpg.jpg

Hummus & Pita

It’s the healthy version of chips and dip, if that’s your snacking style. You can pick up a few different tubs at any grocery store, but more specialty stores like Trader Joe’s may have more diverse flavors. We love sea salt pita chips and organic hummus any time- and so will your bridesmaids!

Dark Chocolate & Fruit

Dark chocolate has been proven to have antioxidants that are great for you- plus it’s chocolate! Who can resist? If you don’t have a taste for the bitter stuff, opt for a lower percentage (65%-72%) and pair it with fruit. We love orange rinds with dark chocolate or strawberries dipped in dark chocolate. It’s decadent and rich without weighing you down. Yogurt.jpg.jpg

Yogurt Bar

For something more fun, get a few tubs of a low fat plain yogurt and put them into a big bowl. Put out fresh chopped fruit like blueberries and strawberries for your girls to mix into their yogurt. To make it a heavier snack, put out granola or opt for a greek yogurt. It’s a great snack for a morning wedding meeting.

Fresh Sushi

You can get crafty and make your own sushi rolls with your girls, or you can go to a nearby sushi bar. Sushi is a great food that is light and offers a lot of necessary vitamins and healthy fishy fats for your body. Plus, sushi is an easier food to get made fresh without any deep-fried, over sugared, unnecessary fats.

Smoothie Stations

Bust out the ice tray and start making some smoothies with your girls! Dust off the blender and get yourself some fresh fruit, yogurts, ice, milk, and anything else you’d want in a smoothie. Instead of making one big batch for everyone, let people pick what they’d like. You can make it a game and vote on your favorite smoothie and have an official bachelorette party smoothie recipe!

 

Bridal Event by Wedding Salon

A fabulous and lovely week has flown by! I can not believe I can say, “Happy Friday!”. As much as I am happy the weekend is here, and can kick off my shoes, and enjoy a little fun, I can not wait until Monday. I know that sounds crazy right?  But I am being totally serious! It is all due to a gorgeous and amazing bridal event taking place in Beverly Hills, CA and hosted by Wedding Salon.  This is the bridal event that all brides must attend. You will meet the top wedding professionals and be inspired by what they offer for your big day.  I attended last year, and it was one of the most amazing experiences. Bridal Hot List will be at attendance again this year, and we can not wait to see all the beautiful wedding details. So, clear off your Monday afternoon, and make sure to get your ticket to a lovely bridal event. Oh, I almost forgot the best detail! Wedding Salon is treating all brides and couples to their event. All you have to do is enter the code found below. So, before clocking out for the weekend, make sure to visit Wedding Salon, and get your complimentary ticket. See you there!

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Top Five Red Carpet Ready Tricks for the Oscars (and for Brides!)

The Oscars are right around the corner, and here at Bridal Hot List we’re all about being red carpet ready! JLo may be strutting her stuff in a designer gown, but pretty soon you’ll be strutting your stuff in a wedding gown. From red carpets to wedding ceremonies, we’ve got the best kept secrets to staying stylish.Oscars3.jpg.jpg

Put on the Spritz

Before you go out, be sure your makeup isn’t going anywhere. Professionals use sealing sprays and powders to keep all color locked in and where it needs to be. One industry favorite is ‘Final Seal’ by Ben Nye. It’s hard to find if you’re not in the industry, but if you can hunt it down it will change your life. Spray over your makeup and you’ll be ready for the paparazzi, or the wedding photographers.

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Pluck it

Stick a pair of tweezers in your purse before you head out- just in case. You might catch an unwanted stray gray and need it gone pronto. Tweezers are great to have on hand for more than that too- you can fix any faux lashes and use it as a general tool you may need over the course of the night. We love these cute tweezerman Betsey Johnson tweezers. The red carpet is all about designers- and Betsey Johnson is one of our faves!Oscars1.jpg.jpg

The Ultimate Compact

You’ll need one mirror with you- might as well make it one that works for you. It’s good to grab a compact that also has a powder for touch ups and enough room within for a puff or tiny brush. Look out for a matte powder meant for high definition- it’ll photograph well and not tint your tone at all.

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Flame On

Even if you’re not a smoker, a lighter is a great multi-tool for any night out. Use it to burn off loose strings to keep them from pulling or tearing more. You can also use it to open bottles, light any needed candles, or to light up the sky while swaying to your favorite tune.

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Mini-Makeup Remover

If you happen to be sitting through a tear-jerker, whether it’s a best drama nominee or a heartfelt best man’s speech, you run the risk of any smudged or smeared makeup. Sometimes, even the best makeup spray can’t protect you from the elements. We’re obsessed with makeup removing q-tips, and they’re popping up everywhere. Get a tiny case and stick them in your stash. Trust us, they’ll save you from disaster and keep you looking glamorous.

 

Sneak Peek of TLC’s “Something Borrowed, Something New” Season 2 Episode 4

Weekends are the best right? They are even better when they kick off with a new episode of TLC’s SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING NEW.  What a fabulous way to celebrate the weekend! Brides and their bridal gown findings? Yes please! We love this show, and can not wait to grab our favorite snack and enjoy this amazing show!

If you are a SBSN (SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING NEW) newbie, then let us tell you a little bit about this amazing show. This show follows a bride’s journey to find the perfect wedding dress for her big day. However there is a twist!  The bride will have to choose a new designer bridal gown, or a fashionably redesigned family heirloom. Who will help the bride find something new and something borrowed for her special day? Each episode is hosted by designer Kelly Nishimoto and stylist Sam Saboura, who will work with the bride to help choose between two dress options. Kelly will turn a special, previously worn gown into a gown which is for the time, venue, and personality of the bride. The bride will also have a chance to work with Sam in shopping at a bridal salon to find a brand new stylish dress. What happens next? The bride will have to make a very important decision and choose between a one-of-a kind dress and a newly fashionable piece. Will the bride choose her mother’s wedding gown, or find something new and unique to her? Which one will the bride choose?

Tonight’s first episode features a curvy bride to be, Audrey who has been very self-conscious to try any wedding dresses on. She is having a Candy-land style wedding and is looking for a dress that has a crazy styled skirt.  She does not have much confidence with her mother’s 80’s wedding gown. So will Audrey find the wedding gown that reflects who she is ? Will it be something new that Sam finds her, or will she walk down the aisle with mom’s 80’s re-designed gown that Kelly creates?

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The second episode features bride, Krystal who wants to find a fabulous bridal gown to compliment her 007 styled wedding.The venue is on a yacht!  Krystal’s mom who was married in 2003, offers her conservative dress, but she is not sure it works well for her themed wedding. Will she find the wedding gown of her dreams?

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Borrowed Dress Front

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TLC’s Something Borrowed, Something New airs Fridays at 10/9c. So set your DVR’s, or watch it live on Fridays!

Here is a clip from tonight’s episode:

2014 Kick Off: Ask the Chief Editor Anything

Another year is in the books and 2013 will be looked back as an incredible year at Bridal Hot List. We celebrated our first year, and each and every day we are growing in our followers and readers. We are so thankful for what the year brought, and look forward to 2014! To kick off the year, the writers of Bridal Hot List were encouraged to write in and ask the Chief Editor of the site anything at all. Here is the Q&A…

Q. How did you get into wedding business?

A.  I took a class at a local college about the “Business of Weddings” where I learned about weddings and the wedding planning industry. It was one my favorite classes, and was so much fun to attend! I quickly became more interested and was an assistant to the top two wedding planners in Orange County. I was an assistant for a year, and learned the ropes until I felt that was ready to go out on my own.  It has been a great time so far, and look forward to 2014 weddings!

Q.  What is your favorite thrifty wedding trick?A. One of my favorite and easiest budget saving tricks is simple – Create your very own wedding invitations. This is a great place to save money!  If you are on a really tight budget, then skip the “Save the Date” cards and instead you can email your guests and include a link to your personal wedding website, which are free! If you have good handwriting and the skill of arts & crafts, making invitations will be a perfect way for you to save money.  A stack of embellished cardstock at JoAnn’s Fabric cost $19.99 and can make about 35 invitations. Or if you are  not the crafty type, you can customize and design the invitations at VistaPrint.com for as low as $3.99 for 10.

Q. What event would you like to see Bridal Hot List be a part of in 2014? A. There are so many amazing events, but I would have to say the one that I would love BHL to be a part of would be New York’s Bridal Fashion Week. I am in love with all things wedding, but bridal gown trends are my favorite and it would be so great to have first look into all the bridal gown trends. I would LOVE to be part of this!

Q. What is the biggest mistake you’ve ever seen at a wedding? Was there any way someone could have prevented it?A.  I have to say the biggest mistake I have seen is when a bride insisted to have her ceremony outside when it was a 95% chance of rain on that day. She insisted that she have it outside because they wanted an ocean-view. Even though a tent was going to be up, and the ocean-view will not be seen with the rain and all, they went on with an outside ceremony.  When the day came, it poured hard, and it was very cold inside. Heaters were not allowed inside the tent due to Fire Marshall standards. So it was a beautiful ceremony… but cold, wet, and with no ocean view. It could have been totally prevented by going with Plan B, and moving the ceremony inside where it was warm and cozy for the couple and their guests. But at the end of the day, it is the bride’s decision, and no matter what, you have to support that. (even it may not be the right one)
Q. What new features on the site are you hoping to implement in 2014 that readers can get excited about?

A. We are hoping to add a more mobile friendly feature, making our articles even easier to view for our readers. We are also going to add interviews and live seminars where readers can ask us anything about weddings! We want to make it even more personal for our readers out there.

Q. Can I get away with not wearing a white wedding dress?

A. Totally!! If you are a traditional bride and want to rock out in something non-white, then go for it! These days, brides are wearing colors of blush, red, and even black. Yes, black, the total opposite of white. A wedding gown is reflective of a bride’s personality, and as long as it doesn’t clash with the venue, then wearing a non-white gown is fine.

Q. Do you have any flower suggestions for people with allergies?

A. We asked our friend and florist Sussanna Davidson from French Buckets  to help us with this one! Here is what she told us: I would say any floral with no scent.  Calla lilies and roses that have been in a green house and not scented.  Succulents are also a perfect choice.  Flowers that definitely needed to be avoided are: Stargazers, garden roses and flowers with lots pollen.  

Q. I’m bad in heels, how do I work around that for my wedding?

A.  You can opt to go with a shorter heel, and just make sure when you go to your alteration appointment, that you take those shoes with you, so they can make sure the dress is the right height. You would really not want to have your dress dragging all day. Actually, when I got married, I had to get shorter heel shoes, and they were not the prettiest shoes, but my dress was long and no one saw those shoes anyways! The key is to be comfortable. This is your wedding day, and you want it to be an incredible day!

Q. Is it tacky to register for more high priced gifts?

A. I think the best way to register gifts is to choose items from all price points. This will allow for your guests to have the option to choose a gift which best fits their budget. You do not want to force your guests to buy highly priced gifts if they can not afford it. So, yes you can totally register high priced gifts, because family members or those close to you will want to buy you something super nice to enjoy as a couple in your new home. Just think balance!

 

Q. Should I send thank you notes to everyone that attended my wedding, or just those who brought gifts?

A.  Saying ” Thank you ” at the wedding reception to all your guests that attended the wedding is good enough. Unless you have a destination wedding, where they had to travel long ways to attend, then a thank you card would be appropriate then. If you sent a thank you card to those that did not bring a gift, it may seem like you are fishing for a gift. You do not want to make anyone feel bad or guilty. Make sure to make your rounds during the reception to thank your guests for coming to your wedding.

 

Q.  What advice would you give someone who is planning their wedding on a tight budget?A. Hire a wedding planner! Wedding planners can help save couples money as they can help with setting a budget, and making sure they keep with in their budget. Most couples will set a budget, however they do tend to always go above that budget because things come up which they had not thought about. I always sit down with my couples and we go through a checklist of all possible items that  is needed for the wedding day, and then we priotorize each one based on whats important to the couple. When couples work with me from the beginining of their wedding day planning process, and we have set a budget together, we are always under that budget. The couple is happy and so are the parents… or whoever is paying for the wedding!

Q.  What is the most romantic honeymoon destination you have seen?

A. I know this may be obvious and not so surprising, but I have to say Kaui, Hawaii. This island is perfect for newlyweds. The island is small, with nothing but paradise bliss. What I love about this island is that is it simple, lovely, and very romantic. It may not have a whole lot of city life, but there is plenty of gorgeous surroundings to enjoy. Waterfalls, gorgeous mountain views, delicious foods, stunning beaches, Waimea Canyon, and lovely weather. After all the hustle and bustle of wedding day, this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy your loved one. If you want to have a little bit of city life, you can take a quick airplane ride into Oahu, Hawaii.

Five Holiday Shopping Tips

Hey there bridal beauties, tis the season of giving! The mall may be intimidating this time of year, so we have some survival tips for holiday shopping.

1.       Bring back up

Do you have that one friend that hates shopping or is short on time? Bring them. Have someone who can keep you focused on the task at hand. Remember- time wasted is time stuck in a crowded mall during the holiday season. It can get easy to get sucked in by all the holiday deals, so have someone who can keep you in check.

2.       Have a Plan

Take a note from the big guy in red and make a list (be sure to check it twice!). Have a clear goal in mind (all work presents, all family presents, etc.) before you hit the stores. If you know what someone likes, make a note next to their name (example: Andrea- chocolate) so if you see something fun, you can match it to the person. If you’re on a time crunch, make it a goal to complete as much shopping as possible. If you have certain stores you know you need to hit, park accordingly and work effectively. If you know you have to pick up some big things (like sheets or pillows- anything large you’d have to carry) park near that store first. You can either do that store and drop off things to your car, or do the rest of the mall and end in your big purchase store. If you have a set budget, keep that in mind by writing it on your list. Allotting yourself a set amount to spend on each person can help narrow down choices as well as keep you (financially) on track.

3.       Get it Done Early

You may have missed the window for Cyber Monday, but stores are still pushing deals. If you’re able to, go to a mall first thing on a weekday. Malls are going to be incredibly packed on Saturday and Sunday from weekend shoppers. Weekdays after about 5:30PM can get a little more crowded with the after-work shoppers. If you go shopping on say, a Tuesday at 11:30AM there shouldn’t be a crowd. Shopping is much less stressful when the lines are short and the aisles are easy to manage.

4.       Have a Plan B

If it’s getting towards the end of the day and you’re not seeing anything you love for that special someone, no worries. Grocery stores and general stores have gift cards for all sorts of vendors like movie theaters, online stores, and restaurants. Gift cards aren’t tacky, they’re practical. If you get frustrated with the mall, it’s okay. There are other options out there. Everyone can use a gas gift card or a target gift card, and will be able to use it. It may be handy to pick up a few as back up gifts for anyone who gets (accidentally) forgotten.

5.       BYOB

Don’t fall victim to the bag rip. Plastic bags that many stores have could rip and you know that will only happen at the most inopportune time. Some cities require retailers to charge for a plastic bag or takeaway bag for merchandise, and that’s money you shouldn’t have to spend. Keep a few reusable bags tucked away for your Christmas shopping and be free of the stress of shopping bags.