It happens to the best of us: Just when you think all your gifts are wrapped up and nestled neatly under the tree for Christmas, you realise you’ve forgotten to pick up those musical Rudolph slippers for Grandpa. Oh dear!
Bus services are running as normal during December and right up to Christmas Eve, so it’s easy to connect to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Aberdeen to pick up those last-minute presents.
Here are some tips and tricks for stress-free last minute Christmas shopping:
- Click & Collect: Many high street shops now have a reservation service where you can select your gifts online and pick them up in store. You can even make reservations on the go using the free WiFi on the bus – what a time-saver!
- Bags for Life: Remember to pack your bags for life and always take one more than you think you’ll need. There’s plenty of room in the luggage hold on Express coaches, even for larger gifts.
- Check ahead: If you’re travelling on Christmas Eve, take a look at the Stagecoach East Scotland festive timetable as some services will be finishing early in the evening.
-  Snack attack: Shopping is no fun when you’re hungry and a quick dash round the shops can quite easily turn into a marathon. Cereal bars are a good shout for a quick pick-me-up. And remember, you can grab a celebratory gingerbread latte for your journey home by bus – it’s okay to take a hot drink on board as long as there’s a lid on the cup.
- Me time: When your bags are full to the brim and the shops are starting to empty, it’s time to go home. You’ve done it! Well done you. Now it’s time to relax and rest those tired feet – at least until you get home and have to wrap everything. Thank goodness for that coffee!
For full details of all changes to services through the festive period, head across to the Stagecoach website.
