Mum wrapped up her Christmas shopping in JUNE as she fears second coronavirus lockdown is ‘inevitable’
A MOTHER has revealed how she has already completed her Christmas shopping due to her fears of a second coronavirus lockdown ruining the festive season.
Jackie Luke, 36, from Detroit in the USA, said she purchased the majority of her Christmas shopping between April and June as her concerns about the global pandemic increased.
The non-profits grants and phD student admitted that she usually prepares for Christmas early – by shopping in September – but has taken her preparations to the next level due to covid.
The mother, who has a four-year-old daughter, said a second wave of the virus is ‘inevitable’ but she is determined not to let it ruin her little girl’s Christmas.
She said she started shopping as she wanted to ensure Christmas was ‘normal’ for her toddler regardless of covid-19.
She said: ‘I would have been really upset for my daughter if I didn’t plan in advance and another shutdown happened.
‘I know I would have figured something out, sewing and crafting extra stuff, but I wanted to be sure her birthday – also in December – and Christmas would be very nice still.
‘It’s going to be a hot mess when the cold and flu season arrives. A second wave is inevitable.
‘But when we mix in colds and flus? Shutdowns and stay-at-home orders will be back!’
Jackie said it is usually around this time of year when she starts thinking about Christmas but she has practically finished shopping already.
The mother said her family really enjoys Christmas and the festivities surrounding it – especially since having her daughter – so felt it would be a shame to miss out on the occasion.
Jackie has organised a hiding spot in the cupboard for all of the pre-bought Christmas presents – which includes American girl dolls, Barbies and a walkie-talkie.
She said she might still purchase some smaller gifts for her stocking fillers but also has second-hand Barbies which she is making handmade clothes for.
She said: ‘I’m usually prepping early, but not nearly as early as I have this year.
‘Usually I’m starting more around now unless I would have seen something really cool and bought it early.
‘But I’ve purchased my little girl’s Christmas and birthday presents so worst case if the pandemic hits again – I’m still good for her.
‘I have a few things for family and friends left to buy but at least my daughter is covered, which is my biggest concern!
‘Especially since it’s unlikely we will be able to see a lot of our family and friends.’
Jackie said she purchased most of her daughter’s birthday and Christmas gifts between April and June as she was concerned about ‘inevitable’ shutdowns and product shortages.
She said she is fearful supply chain shortages could happen again as they did in recent months – so she is glad she is organised and has purchased lots of gifts.
The mother said she still has some gift wrapping to do but knows that can be done when she is at home as the festive season gets closer.
She added: ‘I’m still wrapping up relatives’ gifts and looking for a few bits, but if I can’t get any extra bits for them it’s fine.
‘I just wanted to make sure that Christmas was going to be normal for my daughter no matter what.’
Despite being super-organised for Christmas 2020 – Jackie said unfortunately their festive season won’t be ‘fully’ normal.
She said: ‘‘Our Christmas will be the same for our immediate family, but not the same as every other year because we won’t get to see the extended family like we usually do.
‘My in-laws are in a nursing home so we are still not allowed to see them.
‘And some of my family is out of state so with Covid that’s really rough as we can’t easily see them and haven’t since February before Covid hit.’
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