Christmas shopping evokes different emotions in all of us...some relish it while others dread it. Some people are very organised with a plan, a gift idea list and a schedule, while others wing it - even leaving it up until Christmas Eve to shop, wrap and place under the tree. Four of our North Shore friends share how they are going about this task this year.
Maria Temnyuk, Diamond Property Group.
1. Have you started your Christmas shopping yet, and how do you prefer to do it?
Absolutely not! I will be doing my Christmas shopping around the 20th of December. I think I perform better under pressure.
2. What’s your gift-buying pattern?
I generally allocate 2-3 days for my Christmas shopping and I basically treat it as a full-time job for those three days. I have my favourite shops that I go to each year to find the right gift.
3. Who will be your most challenging person to buy for this year…and why?
It is always my mum. The woman has everything and plus she is so modest that if I ask her about her preferences, she just says that she wants good behaviour. Old joke!
4. What kinds of gifts do you generally buy, and are you looking at purchasing different things this year?
Normally I buy special things that people always struggle justifying when buying it themselves. For example, crystal champagne flutes or really nice cuff links.
5. How does your family give at Christmas (eg individual gifts, a set budget, ‘Secret Santa’ etc)?
My family is generous when it comes to presents so everyone gets lots of presents and gets spoiled rotten.
6. In your opinion, what’s the best gift you’ve ever given?
Little Gucci onesie to my son Louis for his first Christmas. I don’t think he cared much. I still keep it though.
7. What are you hoping to see in your Christmas stocking this year?
I would love to get a really nice watch to finish the year on a high note.
Steve Mouldey, Principal of Age School, Takapuna
1. Have you started your Christmas shopping yet, and how do you prefer to do it?
We have a few things put aside for our kids already. I prefer not to think about Christmas until December, but my partner likes it all planned out a bit better than that. This year we need to be organised as we are having Christmas overseas.
2. What’s your gift-buying pattern?
I prefer to just go for it over a few days, but my partner is very proactive over the year, buying children’s toys and clothes when they are on sale. Over the last few years we have developed a bit of a strategy involving a shared Google doc so we can make sure we don’t miss anyone out.
3. Who will be your most challenging person to buy for this year…and why?
It will be challenging to keep the present for my partner, Theresa, a surprise as we are travelling the week before Christmas. This means I either need to hide her gifts well when we pack the bags or somehow buy it in the last few days while we are away.
4. What kinds of gifts do you generally buy, and are you looking at purchasing different things this year?
Our gifts for our daughter are starting to change as she turns 10 at the end of November. With her being older, we are looking at getting her some different experiences as part of her Christmas, rather than just things.
5. How does your family give at Christmas?
We give individual gifts and normally have a maximum amount to spend on each person. The kids always get more spent on them than the “maximum” though as they are really the magic of the day.
Our children also always give to another child the same age as them, either through the Hospice or City Mission. They really enjoy shopping for someone else and it helps them to be more grateful for what they have in their lives.
6. In your opinion, what’s the best gift you’ve ever given?
The trampoline we gave the kids four years ago. The trials of putting it together on Christmas Eve in the rain are now worth it with how much the kids and their friends have enjoyed it. It's become a big part of how our family plays together.
7. What are you hoping to see in your Christmas stocking this year?
We normally have a massive extended family Christmas at our house. With going away this year, I’m just hoping that it is still an occasion full of excitement and happiness. So, a Christmas stocking full of joy and laughter would be perfect please Santa!
João Duarte, Romana’s Pilates Certified Instructor at Pilates Unlimited
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet, and how do you prefer to do it?
For me I haven’t really focused on that yet! I tend to be more of a last minute December shopper.
What’s your gift-buying pattern?
All on one day is always my aim: get it over with quickly. Luckily, I don’t have too many presents to buy for. My favourite gift is Pilates Unlimited Gift Certificates as a treat for people who have been extra good to me.
Who will be your most challenging person to buy for this year…and why?
My dear friend Sandra is the most challenging, in a good way, as she has such special qualities!! When I first moved from Hamilton I stayed with her and I now live with her. She has been most welcoming and now her home is my home, and Sandra has become the most amazing flatmate friend. She was so helpful to me and supported me throughout my Romana’s Pilates training here at Pilates Unlimited. Additionally, Sandra is also one of my clients at Pilates Unlimited. So for me, buying a present for Sandra is much more than a Christmas present; it’s a huge thank you for making things work so well for me here on the North Shore since I moved here in 2017.
What kinds of gifts do you generally buy, and are you looking at purchasing different things this year?
I like to buy items from The Source in Milford as there is there is something for everyone - food or handy items (great drink bottles and lunch boxes).
How does your family give at Christmas?
We give individual gifts. As I am from Brazil, we celebrate on Christmas Eve in the evening with a special dinner.
In your opinion, what’s the best gift you’ve ever given?
My family in Brazil love the Whittakers Chocolate so when I visit Brazil at Christmas this is a big part of my presents that my family love to receive.
What are you hoping to see in your Christmas stocking this year?
A massage would be a nice treat or a day retreat to revive after a busy year!!
Louise Willmer, Birkenhead Point
1. Have you started your Christmas shopping yet, and how do you prefer to do it?
No I haven’t started yet, but plan to very soon. I like a list and go from there, but if I see something when I am out, I will buy it.
2. What’s your gift-buying pattern?
Over several weeks, especially if buying overseas on-line.
3. Who will be your most challenging person to buy for this year…and why?
My husband ……… he is so tricky to buy for and never wants anything arrgghhh!!
4. What kinds of gifts do you generally buy, and are you looking at purchasing different things this year?
I will try and find some different things for my daughter and that tricky husband, but my sons are generally easy to buy for. They have keen interests in their work and hobbies. Normally I shop in malls / boutique shops, or on-line stores cover what I need.
5. How does your family give at Christmas?
Individual gifts within a budget.
6. In your opinion, what’s the best gift you’ve ever given?
One Direction tickets when they played in Sydney, when our daughter was much younger. We copied and enlarged the ticket and inserted it into a One Direction book we got her for Christmas so she didn’t see it until she went through the book much later on Christmas Day. The screams and her face – will never forget it!!
7. What are you hoping to see in your Christmas stocking this year?
Being sensible, some new runners or being extravagant, anything from Jo Malone or Tiffany would be very nice.
