Is Christmas really worth the hassle?

The race to bag a bargain, grab a gift and panic buy presents is well and truly underway. With only a matter of weeks to go until Christmas, the nation’s high streets are fast becoming overcrowded with frantic shoppers.

With the car parks gridlocked and tales of endless queues and fisticuffs, you wouldn’t think that people would risk venturing out. You thought wrong! Total Christmas sales this year are expected to reach a staggering £72.2bn, an increase of more than 2% on last year, according to the Centre of Retail Research, with two thirds of that being spent in stores.

Shoppers clock up a whopping sum as they shop for loved ones this Festive Season

With people using their last pay cheque before the big day the shopping centres are crammed to the rafters with all sorts of shoppers, wanting to get that special something.

Even with consumers anxious about inflation prices, the average price households pay out on gifts is still estimated to be 60% of their total spending, the largest majority of their Christmas budget.

Chaotic scenes of Christmas Shoppers

With American traditions coming across the pond, Britons are increasingly seeing Thanksgiving's ‘BlackFriday’ and ‘Cyber Monday’ events as the start of the Christmas shopping season. Frenzied bargain hunters battled to try and get the best bargains in a bid to save more money this Christmas.

However, the images were far from the idyllic Christmas scenes of spreading joy and happiness.

Black Friday bargain-hunters caused chaos across Britain as stores led by American company Asda slashed prices on Christmas electronics and gifts.

It was reported that a woman was taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm after a shopping centre stampede in Northern Ireland. Also, in Liverpool, a woman was hospitalised after reportedly being punched in the face during the shopping frenzy. Amongst other reports spread on Twitter and Facebook, it begins to beg the question, Is Christmas really worth it?

Forbes reported that a record 226 million shoppers visited shopping websites over the Black Friday weekend, spending an estimated 52.4 billion.

Internet giants Amazon UK reported that on Cyber Monday the company had their busiest shopping day in its history as they made 4.1m sales on 2 December, beating the previous record of 4million set 76 hours earlier on Black Friday. Orders came in at a whopping 47 items a second, peaking at 9.22pm says the online retailer.

Black Friday's chaotic scenes were shared over social media

According to a recent survey, 75% of people asked, said that they found the Christmas Period to be the most stressful time of the year. Which is easy to imagine with some of the UK’s top retailers setting record sales day on day.

With an additional 44% of people adding that the single thing they find most stressful during the festive period is battling through the busy crowds. Followed in second place with 36% of people, who deem that finding the perfect gift for their loved ones is the most challenging thing to do. Leaving cooking the Christmas dinner, entertaining the children and visiting family at the bottom of the pile.

Infographics

Now a psychologist and founder of the independent research consultancy Mindlab International, claims that the experience of Christmas shopping is so painful that it sparks the primal ‘fight or flight’ mechanism.

In a recent interview with The Telegraph, psychologist Dr David Lewis says that “Festive cheer all too easily gives way to seasonal shopping stress”. Suggesting that people become aggressive while they are doing their shopping because the swarming crowds activate basic survival mechanisms.

Crowds, excessive queues at checkouts and parking difficulties can quickly lead to frustration, irritation, exhaustion and anxiety. Producing more of the stress hormone cortisol. With concerns over choosing the correct gift bringing on the feeling on inadequacy and guilt, especially in this unstable economic environment.

Sarah Souden, a busy mum of 3, finds Christmas really stressful. “With my husband being away a lot, it is left to me to do all the shopping. Juggling work, looking after the kids and then trying to find time to shop and wrap presents is a nightmare”.

“Half of the children’s presents are also in hiding at a neighbour’s house, just so they can’t be found by prying eyes,” continued Sarah.

listen to ‘What the public think about Christmas Shopping’ on Audioboo

To try and avoid some of the stress, an increasing number of Britons are choosing to shop online rather than in store. This week Ofcom announced on its twitter page that internet shopping was more popular in the UK than in the other 17 countries it surveyed, including the USA, Australia and Germany. The average Briton has increased their online annual outlay from £1,017 to £1,175 in 2012. Internet buying can often be seen to reduce the stress of shopping without having to battle the high-street.

Is online shopping easier than the highstreet?
Image courtesy of Ofcom

Birstall Retail Park in Leeds is chaos in the festive season, with some of the UK’s top retailers seeing their average daily takings doubling when compared to the rest of the year. Police and security are often needed to direct the traffic to try and avoid holdups getting in and out of the car park.

Sally Wortley, Senior Sales advisor at Evans clothing chain at Birstall said: “Over the festive period we really do see customer footfall increase, from October to the end of January when the Christmas sales are starting to filter out”. Sales increase by 50% on site over Christmas, with customers wanting the perfect presents and treating themselves to outfits for the big day.

With high-street chains having continuous promotions throughout the season, these stores are seeing their profit margins increase, as people are wanting to save money wherever possible.

Birstall Retail Park isn’t the only place that struggles with the crowds of Christmas shoppers, as many of Yorkshire’s top shopping destinations are becoming busier and busier in the build-up to the big day. Details of some of the Counties best shopping locations to bag a bargain can be found in the map.

View Top Christmas shopping destinations in Yorkshire in a larger map

Working in the beauty industry, Jessica Naylor, Boots No7 Manager in Huddersfield, can clearly see where the majority of people’s money is being spent. “Christmas is most definitely our busiest time of the year. The store is mobbed and there are always customers wanting advice on presents and also something to treat themselves to”.

Customers become more demanding, which isn’t necessarily their fault, as they are so stressed and anxious about what to buy says Jessica. Many store workers are noting an influx of shoppers needing assistance, amidst the chaotic scenes.

Friday 13^th December is predicted to be the busiest shopping day of the year, nick naming it ‘Meltdown Friday’. Shoppers are expected to spend £1.3 billion in order to get those final presents for under the tree. So high streets and shopping malls will be crammed with manic shoppers trying to buy the perfect gifts for their loved ones.

To help beat the stressful battle to find the perfect gift or fighting through the crowds, we’ve created some simple Christmas gift ideas with the help of Jessica Naylor, for all those last minute present purchases that everyone will love!

1.       Bathing products. Whether it be bubble bath, body butters or relaxation oils, these are perfect to help someone de-stress after the festivities are over. Even perfect to treat yourself to in the run up to Christmas, as everyone needs a little break! But bath and relaxation products are nearly always a failsafe, from aunties to colleagues, they make a great gift.

2.       Buying something for the man in your life is always difficult. Skincare is something they are nearly always interested in but never want to admit to. Instead of noticing your moisturiser diminishing rapidly, a male skincare gift set will work wonders. I know my partner loves the novelty of the eye roll-on.

3.       Nail varnishes, eye palettes and lipsticks are great for the women in your life. From teenagers to great grandmas, there is always something to suit. It could be a tinted lip balm to keep their lips hydrated in the cold winter period or a dramatic eye palette for those Christmas and New Year parties.

4.       Anti-aging skincare. A difficult issue to buy for if it’s your works secret Santa, but can be perfect for your mum or close family member to help them maintain and perfect their youthful look. I know my mum really appreciates gift sets like these.

5.       Skincare for teenagers is often a great buy. They can try something new, find out what they like, or aren't keep on. It's also something that they don’t normally like to buy for themselves, as they see it as more of a chore.

Hopefully these little hints and tips will help to make those last few presents less of a mindboggling task, allowing you to de-stress during this festive season!

Is Twitter Changing how Journalists work?

Social media is having a large impact on the way the journalism industry works and shares its content.

Twitter and other social media sites are now seen as the way the majority of people consume the news, due to it being accessible anytime, anywhere, through smartphones and tablets. This huge development in the way news is shared, means the traditional methods of journalism are being challenged to fit with the audience’s needs.

A change in the consumption of news leads to a change in how news is gathered and researched.

Could Twitter be the death of the newspaper?

Twitter is now seen as a very valuable tool for journalist to research stories on either a local or an international scale through specific key word searches, trends and hash tags. Allowing journalists a much larger platform to gather information from, and also a place to share their work. Meaning  social media acts as both a feeder and a producer of information.

Karen Pickering

Karen Pickering, Chief-sub-editor of the Telegraph & Argus in Bradford believes that social media has made a positive impact on the development of journalism. “Social media, in particularly Twitter, has played an increasing role in how journalists find stories at the Telegraph & Argus, as information on an event can be shared in seconds” said Karen Pickering.

With information being provided to reporters fast allows them to gather information and opinions and produce an article rapidly.  

Social media allows sections of a report to be published as and when the information comes to light, through Tweeting a short caption of news rather than waiting to provide a full feature article.

Georgina Morris, Deputy News editor for the Dewsbury Reporter and Morley Observer said: “We’re encouraged to break stories online rather than hold the story for the print edition as we might have done in the past.”

Social media is able to act as a publisher; as soon as information is there it can be uploaded to the internet and accessible to the world. “There is a real potential to increase online audience and social media is a key part of that” said Georgina Morris. Journalists are encouraged to share information immediately rather than wait for the newspapers next publication.

Linking stories in their tweets to the website allows for increased footfall by people who wouldn’t normally access the website, as they are clicking on the hyperlink to find out more.

The Dewsbury reporter and Morley Observer both have Facebook and Twitter pages to share articles and local events to their audience. “All editorial staff are expected to have Twitter accounts for work use” said Georgina Morris. Allowing them to share content, be it articles, news updates, photos and links to other sources.

Up to the minute news provides a closer link between the content publisher and their audience. Regular updates keep followers interested and maintain a sense of trust as they are provided with information they want.

Is Social Media taking over how people consume the news?

The recent addition of Instagram pages allows for the papers to share and gather content via images instead of text.

140 character limitations of twitter does mean information has to be reduced but can provide the followers with a very brief overview so they are aware of what is happening. A concept that is more appealing to people constantly on the move.

listen to ‘Karen Pickering - How social media affects journalism’ on Audioboo

Social networking allows an opportunity to gain an audience who wouldn’t necessarily read the paper. Being able to use smartphones and other devices “Social media helps us to reach new audiences who don’t traditionally buy papers, and is another way for us to build a link with the community” Said Karen Pickering.

Twitter also now allows for feedback on local issues, to whether a certain topic is of interest to people, through the use of comments, likes and retweets readers have left. Allowing the papers to report on issues that they are interested and what to know about. Allowing the journalists to provide the wants of the community and inreturn gain the interest of the audience.

Social media can remove the wall between journalists and their audience, as they are able to communicate with each other and provide for each other.

Georgina Morris said: “Some people post items of interest directly to our Facebook page, tweet us or send direct messages to us. It is quick and convenient, and might seem less daunting than ringing us up to pursue a story”. Comments left on tweets and the amount of favourite also provides reporters with a sense of what their readership wants from them, be it online or in the paper.

listen to ‘What do the public think of twitter as a news form?’ on Audioboo

The future of journalism is unpredictable, and the rise of social media is affecting how journalists work. This doesn’t necessarily mean that traditional journalism methods are being removed, but altering the ways journalists need to work in order to keep up to date with society and technology. 

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are Engaged!

Kanye West gave his girlfriend of 18 months Kim Kardashian a birthday to remember with an elaborate marriage proposal.

The 36 year old rapper popped the question to the mother of his child on her 33^rd birthday on Monday with a whopping 15 carat diamond ring, estimated to be worth at least $1.6 million. Believed to be one of the most expensive celebrity engagemnet rings.

The elaborate setting for Kanye West's proposal

West had the entire event planned out, hiring out the AT&T baseball park in San Francisco and had the giant scoreboard flash up with ‘PLEASEEE MARRY MEEE!!!’. The Rapper proposed with a full 50 piece orchestra playing Lana Del Rey’s ‘Young and Beautiful’ and then his own hit ‘Knock me down’.

After she said yes fireworks exploded across San Francisco bay and her family and friends poured out of the dug outs to congratulate the newly engaged couple.

The next day Kim Kardashian took to Twitter and Instagram to share her joy of her new engagement, with the simple caption ‘YES!!!’.

Kardashian took to twitter the next more to share her news

In an interview on Saturday Kanye West told his fans that he planned to marry her ‘one day’. The rapper took time off from his world tour to spend the day with the mother of his child, on her special day.

The entire proposal was recorded for the US reality tv series ‘The Kardashians’ , to be aired later in the year.

Kardashian’s mum Kris Jenner described the couple as ‘a match made in heaven. I am so happy for both of my kids, Kim and Kanye’.

This will be the third marriage for the reality tv star, after her second infamous marriage collapsed after just 72 days of marriage to Kris Humphries. 

Wired UK

Wired UK makes use of a variety of different platforms to present their company on to their readers in different styles according to social media format and how they are used.

Depending on the social media site, Wired UK makes use of adapting a certain article or concept to best suit the audience who consumes the information.

Wired UK has active accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Tumblr, Audible, Linkedin, and Apps for both apple and android and more.

WiredUK homepage

Facebook and Tumblr rely mainly on a significant image related to the story to present their article, for the reader to then click on the link and read further. On Twitter they make use of a single sentence caption and then include a link to their main news article on the website. They also make use of video and audio clips by inserting them into the main feed on the website, such as interviews or explanatory videos from sources such as YouTube.

The way in which the company presents their information on different social media networks shows that they understand what works well for each social platform and what the audience what.

Wired.co.uk website

A bit about me

Hi, I'm Becky, and I'm a third year English Language and journalism student at the University of Central Lancashire. I've always wanted to work in the magazine industry, particularly fashion magazines, even since I saw the first episode of Ugly Betty way back when I was 12. For some reason it instantly hit me that that was what I wanted to do with my life when I was older, not necessarily be Ugly Betty, but work at the fictional ‘Mode’ magazine.

I've always had an interest in fashion, with some of my earliest memories being walking round my nearest shopping centre with my mum and my auntie, all laden with bags.

As well as loving fashion I also love beauty and skincare. For some reason makeup fascinates me, it’s like art. I could spend hours watching makeup tutorials and swatching cosmetic items at beauty counters. I someday dream of being the beauty editor for a top woman’s glossy magazine and want to try and do anything that will help me succeed with my dream!