by Boris Joaquin | shared from Inquirer Libre |
Malapit na ang Pasko at ramdam na natin ang holiday rush – nag-extend na ng shopping hours ang mga malls, ang dami nang sales at discount offers. At kung kasama kayo sa mga pinalad, nag-release na rin ang opisina ninyo ng early bonuses. Maaari na rin nating asahan na mas ma-traffic ang kamaynilaan. And as we are wrapping up the year at work and preparing for the holidays, ito na rin ang panahong nagmamadali ka going to and from places, finishing deadlines, attending events, preparing for the Christmas party — at pagsingit na rin ng kaunting shopping here and there.
With such a hectic schedule, is it still possible to make these last two months pleasant? Narito ang ilang tips para sa iyong nag-oopisina ngayong holiday rush:
Plan ahead. Isulat ang pangalan ng mga tao, family and friends who you wish to give gifts to. Para sa mga taong mahalaga sa buhay mo, I am sure na gusto mong pag-isipan ang ibibigay sa kanila. Ayaw mong mamadali at mapilitang bilhan sila ng isang bagay na maaaring hindi naman niya gusto, kahit na mahal pa ito. Mahahalata ng pinagbigyan mo ang hindi mo pinag-isipan ang ibibigay mo sa kanila.
By the way, thoughtful gifts need not be too expensive. Pag-isipan mo lang kung ano ang gusto ng mga mahal sa buhal o makakatulong sa kanila.
Schedule your shopping trips. Schedule mo na kung saan at kalian mamimili to avoid traffic. Bago umalis ng bahay, plan out your route to the places you are going to. Schedule your trips and find alternate routes to the places you’re going to. Sa ganitong paraan maiiwasan mo ang paikot-ikot sa Metro Manila at pabalik-balik sa mga shopping places na napuntahan mo na.
Sa mga malls naman, the best time to go is bago mag-closing time, o kaya early in the morning para madali ang parking at kakaunti ang taong nakikipag agawan ng attention ng mga store clerks. Mainam rin kung ang pinagbibilhan mo ay malapit lang kung saan ka nakatira para ang rush hour traffic will be a short and sweet experience for you.
Para sa iba, gamit na gamit ninyo siguro ang GPS at Waze. Pero iba pa rin talaga kung magiging “wais” sa pagbibiyahe. Kung pupunta ka sa isang major central business district tulad ng Makati o Ortigas, try to schedule this during off-peak hours parang madali kang makarating at makaalis mula dito, and parking will also be easy. Makakabawas din ito sa iyong stress level.
You might also want to consider shopping online as an alternative, to save you from taking the trips yourself. Even these have holiday sales. (Although you will want to think through this well, since you don’t get to examine the product before you purchase it. However, they do have return policies.)
Watch out for robbers. Christmas is the time for giving, but please huwag mong hayaang samantalahin ka ng mga masasamang loob. Maging mapagmasid at makinig sa paligid mo. This is especially crucial when coming up to an ATM at night. Similarly, before you even walk close to your car at night from a public place such as a mall car park, look around for any suspicious individuals. Dahil nga gabi at hindi ka nakakasigurado, it is better to withdraw from a well-lit ATM where there is a security guard keeping watch. Siguraduhin ding may kasama ka when you go to and leave the ATM. Be vigilant.
Pause and pray. On top of all these tips, I pray that you will make a firm decision not to let the holiday rush get to you. May mas mahalagang kahulugan ang Pasko, at hindi dapat masapawan ito ng sakit ng ulo dahil sa “hustle and bustle” of Christmas. Kung sa palagay mo ay nagiging stressful na ito, pause and pray and ask God to guide you and keep things simple, so that giving will continue to be a joy for you.
Keep these simple tips in mind, and you’ll be on your way to a stress-free and relaxing holiday season!
