Holiday Shopping Tips

Holiday Shopping Tips to Help Tackle Your List

The holidays are fast approaching and that means it’s time to get out your list and start checking it twice.  Holiday shopping can be a stressful process. Having to choose a thoughtful present for each person on your list can be time-consuming and frustrating. We have come up with a few tips to make the experience stress free and maybe even enjoyable. 

Set your budget before you start holiday shopping

Even if there is no limit to your holiday spending, it’s a good idea to have a set holiday shopping budget in mind. Make sure to include the cost of any Secret Santa gifts, and charitable donations. 

Make your holiday shopping list ahead of time

Know exactly who you need gifts for before heading to the store or browsing online. Not only will it save you time — it’ll preserve your sanity (and your bank account). Divide your holiday shopping list into categories: immediate family, relatives, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, teachers/service providers (babysitter, mailman, the Amazon delivery driver who comes to your house daily) and check off each name once you purchase their gift.

Know the best time to shop during the holidays

A gift-buying schedule is a great way to avoid feeling overwhelmed during the holiday season. You’ll need to consider when you’re starting your holiday shopping obviously, the fewer weeks (or days) you have left, the more gifts you’ll need to purchase at a time.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to prioritize time-sensitive gifts: think teachers, colleagues, friends, service providers — anyone you’ll need to gift before the actual holiday.

Find ways to save on holiday shopping
Is the best deal available online or in store? Is now the best time to buy? Take advantage of sale pricing and price match if possible.

Consider DIY gifts

Not only could homemade gifts save you money during the holidays, but they’ll feel much more personal to the recipient than the same item bought in a store.

Avoid last-minute holiday shopping

Holiday shopping can be stressful enough on its own. But compounding that stress by waiting until the last minute to purchase gifts is probably not your best move. The closer you get to the actual holiday, the greater the chance that availability and selection will be limited (or nonexistent), especially for “hot” items. Give yourself every opportunity to enjoy the holiday season by starting your shopping as early as possible.