How to survive the last-minute Christmas shopping frenzy

Get ready for queues, heavy bags, the impossible quest of finding a spot to park the car and whatever you do – make sure you come prepared. SEE HANDY SHOPPING TIPS >>

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GET ready for queues, heavy bags, the impossible quest of finding a spot to park the car and whatever you do – make sure you come prepared.

‘Tis the season for joy, holidays, decorations and CBD chaos.

Staff members from Francesca, Georgia Saunders and Elissa Coventry Helmers ahead of the last week before Christmas. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Francesca Jewellery co-founder Hannah Vasicek said Tasmanians had taken the Support Local movement to heart and were swarming into the Cat & Fiddle to bag bracelets and other special pieces for loved ones this Christmas.

From the online department to production where products are hand-beaded, Ms Vasicek said the Christmas period had been “flat out”.

“Every single department has onboarded people during December,” she said.

HANDY TIPS FOR YOUR LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING

• Go digital – online orders are wrapping up for the Christmas deadline, but picking up reserved or specially ordered items in store means you don’t have to browse for long periods to find the perfect gift.
• As per Francesca co-founder Hanna Vasicek’s tried and tested recommendation, see if any stores have an online product list and take a screenshot or write a note of the gifts that caught your eye. That way when you turn up in store you can be in and out in a flash.
• Head in earlier rather than later – traffic, parking and store queues all build later in the day, especially towards midday. If you head to the shops earlier in the morning you might not have to queue up outside your favourite shop, or at the counter. Remember, COVID-19 policies can limit the amount of customers allowed in each store at a time – plan ahead for this.
• Map out your trip – if you know you have to visit seven specific stores, find the best walking route to visit them all without making too many unnecessary detours.
• At Eastlands, the best parking spots for lugging your shopping bags are at the top of the Big W ramp which can be entered and exited via Bligh St.
• For those doing a quick dash to grab last minute wrapping paper or collect pre-ordered gifts, 15 minute spots are available at Bligh St and on level one of the multistorey car park.
• Customers wanting a “virtual Santa experience” can follow instructions and directions while visiting Northgate and Eastlands.
• Cat & Fiddle will be open 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-4pm Sundays, with sale information, store maps and more available at catandfiddlearcade.com while Centrepoint store trading hours are 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm Saturday and varied hours on Sunday. More information is available at centrepointhobart.com.au
• If you might be tempted to duck into a store an hour before Christmas lunch, don’t bother – shopping centres are shut on Christmas Day.

“We closed our Melbourne store for pretty much the whole year and being able to open up is great for business, but it’s also been amazing for the morale of our team.”

Ms Vasicek said the staff’s return to one-on-one customer service was “heartwarming” but warned people to prepare for some queues and crowds in the busy CBD.

“It’s handy to look at our collection online, screenshot what you like or add it to your personal wishlist and come in so the team can help you find everything,” she said.

Francesca Mascia, who co-ordinates marketing for Francesca, said gift packs were also available and said staff were ready to take on the busy week of last-minute shoppers.

Staff members from Francesca, Georgia Saunders and Elissa Coventry Helmers ahead of the last week before Christmas. Picture: Zak Simmonds

In Greater Hobart, Eastlands and Northgate centre manager Luke Jamieson recommended booking online when it came to getting a photo taken with Santa at the East Pole.

“We’re already seeing a good uplift in foot traffic at Eastlands and Northgate as people go about their shopping in the last few days heading into Christmas.”

Mr Jamieson assured visitors traffic flow into the Eastlands car park was being managed by staff to reduce congestion, with a few other tips up his sleeve.

“We’re encouraging customers to plan their visit to help avoid those peak weekend and last minute times where possible,” he said.

“We’ve extended our opening hours in the evenings giving people a chance to shop after work.

“Our supermarkets and stores such as Big W and Kmart are also opening earlier and closing later this week as well as some of our specialty stores.”