Christmas countdown begins one month before the festive day. Probably, you have not completed your shopping list yet and may do your shopping at the last minute.
Maybe you do not know where to shop or what to buy during these times. Before you get frantic, take a look at the following tips to guide you in your last-minute Christmas shopping:
- Sit and think before you shop
Sit down and think about your loved ones who you want to send gifts to. Think of appropriate gifts for each one of them. List them on paper. Bring this note when you do your shopping so you will know exactly what you are going to buy. This very simple technique will save you a lot of time and effort roaming around in the store looking for the right gift.
- Stick to your budget
You must set a budget for each gift that you are going to buy and stick to it. This will help you narrow down your gift options because of your imposed budget limit. It also saves you time as you can shopping finish quickly.
- Do not shop during peak hours
Never buy during peak hours because you will be stuck in long queues. Because of the chaotic environment and the need to finish everything before the store closes, you may haphazardly choose any gift just so you have something to give or you will have no more time to shop for other items. You will end up exhausted in your last-minute shopping. It is thus advisable that you buy when the store is just about to open and only a few customers are around. Indeed, you will finish right away and get out quickly.
- Go online
If you are too busy to go out and shop in a mall and Christmas is already fast approaching, then go online. The Internet is a good source of Christmas gift ideas. Choose credible online stores and shop the gifts you want to buy. You may order the products and pick them up at the store before Christmas or have them delivered right at your doorstep. It is better if you purchase all of your gifts from one online store only to avoid going from one place to another to pick up your items, which is both energy and time-consuming, or paying for shipping fees from different online stores, which can be very costly.
- Opt for gift cards
If you do not know what to give to your loved ones or you don’t have the time to shop anymore, opt for a gift card. It is easy to get, and you will know for sure that the recipient could buy what he or she wants.
- Ready-made gift wraps
Wrapping gifts is fun, but when you have a dozen or more to wrap, it is a different story. Save yourself from the hassle by buying ready-made Christmas paper bags and boxes with tags. They are convenient to carry, they can be reused, and they come in different designs! You may also try the free wrapping service of the store, which is common during Christmas season – that is, if you’re willing to wait for hours as there can be twenty of you who have the same idea.
- Re-gift
Maybe you received a gift before that did not fit you or was a duplicate of what you already have. You may re-gift this to a person whom you think will appreciate it. By doing this, you save money and energy, you put that item into good use, and you will make someone happy! However, be sure that you will not send it to the person who gave the gift to you – that would be a disaster!
Off you go now and do your last-minute shopping. Most importantly, don’t forget to give from the heart. Have a merry and joyous Christmas with your family, friends, and relatives!