Boost your holiday shopping cheer by heading to… Neighborhood shops and craft stores
Estrogen and testosterone are at low levels, and that has you preferring to stick close to home and familiar surroundings. This means you’ll be happiest doing your holiday shopping at neighborhood boutiques and your favorite mom-and-pop shops. Low estrogen also has you feeling creative, so it’s a perfect time to pick out craft supplies for homemade presents as well as artsy gifts, such as jewelry, stationery and home décor.
Save money on these days by… Resisting the pull of small impulse items—such as toys, candy or gadgets—that aren’t on your holiday shopping list. Rising testosterone is making you more susceptible to impulsive purchases on these days.
Boost your holiday shopping cheer by heading to… The mall
Estrogen and testosterone rise to levels that give you lots of energy, endurance and optimism and put you in an upbeat mood—all traits that will help you brave the mega-crowds, extra-long lines and overworked salespeople at the mall with patience and high holiday spirits.
Save money on these days by… Looking for bargains and comparison shopping, which you’re a whiz at now that rising hormones are highlighting your logical left brain.
Boost your holiday shopping cheer by heading for… Stores that are new or far away.
Estrogen and testosterone peak and that’s got you feeling curious, adventurous, energetic and in the mood to travel. So you’re happiest when exploring a store you’ve never visited before or hitting the highway for a shop that’s a long distance from home.
Save money on these days by… Checking your bank balance before purchasing big-ticket items. Peaking hormones make you feel over-confident about your finances, which could make you feel like you’ve got more money to spend than you really do.
Boost your holiday shopping cheer by heading for… One-stop shops.
Sedating progesterone rises and that’s sapping you of energy and endurance, which makes you tire out more quickly than in previous days. So you’re happiest doing your holiday shopping at department stores, like Sears or JC Penny, or mass merchandisers, like Target and Costco, which have many different types of items all under one roof, enabling you to get more gift-buying done in less time.
Save money on these days by… Not getting suckered by a cute face. Progesterone makes you more susceptible to buying anything that uses adorable images of babies, puppies and other cuddly creatures to entice you.
Day 23 to the end of your cycle Boost your holiday shopping cheer by heading for… The Internet, catalogues and home shopping channels
During these premenstrual days, estrogen, testosterone and progesterone plunge and they’re taking your patience with jostling crowds, congested traffic and pushy salespeople down with them. This makes you happiest shopping from the comfort of your own home.
Save money on these days by… Sticking to a budget for gifts for yourself. Descending hormones are likely making you achy and blue and that’s giving you the urge to do more “medicinal shopping” for yourself than holiday shopping for the loved ones on your list.
What is Hormonology?
Hormonology is a daily horoscope based on the ups and downs of your hormone cycle. The brainchild of Manhattan-based veteran health journalist Gabrielle Lichterman, Hormonology is based on scientific research and is the newest, most accurate way to predict your day and plan your life.
28 DAYS, which is available in bookstores everywhere, is the first in a series of Hormonology books. Future Hormonology books will include hormone horoscopes for men, pregnant women, teens and menopausal women as well as The Hormonology Diet, which enabled Lichterman lose to 37 pounds in just 24 weeks.
Gabrielle Lichterman has been featured from coast to coast on radio, TV and in dozens of major publications including Glamour, Redbook, Family Circle, Women’s Health and Teen. 28 DAYS is currently being translated for publication in Japan and Italy.
Reprinted by permission of Gabrielle Lichterman, founder of Hormonology, the hormone horoscope, and author of 28 Days: What Your Cycle Reveals About Your Love Life, Moods, and Potential
Published on About.com 12/09/05 Updated 12/10/05
