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Holiday Shopping Tips
I confess that holiday shopping once felt like an enormous, energy-draining
chore, and it was one that I dreaded all year. Now I have found a way to really
enjoy it. Here are some tips to help you take pleasure in it, too.
1. Make it fun. Do whatever you need to do to make the prospect of holiday
shopping more enjoyable. Some people get energized by the mall, but, for me, the
mall is a big energy drain. Instead, I love to sit curled up in a big fleece
blanket with a cup of cocoa and a stack of catalogs. For weeks now, I've been
tearing out pages and circling gift ideas for my favorite people. It's fun to
get inspired in this way. Then, I'll make my list and search for
online coupons for the stores I've selected (since I hardly every make an
online purchase without a coupon code.)
Whichever method of shopping is most fun for you, do it. Maybe you'll go on a
special lunch date with your spouse and power shop for the kids. Maybe you'll
make a daytrip to the most festive outdoor mall with some girlfriends.
Shopping can be one of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday season. Just
make sure you are doing it in such a way that it doesn't feel like just one more
thing you have to do this time of year. The key is planning ahead and asking
yourself what you really enjoy about the process of finding gifts.
2. Start with a budget. What is the dollar range that you wish to spend for
each person? Make sure you stay in a range you can afford. Nothing takes the fun
out of holiday shopping more than knowing you will still be paying off the bills
next Christmas.
3. Plan ahead. I know that many people have all of their holiday shopping
completed in July, but I never have – and probably never will. However, I can
get myself to jot down notes throughout the year (in the back of my Daytimer)
about things that my family members have mentioned they like or would like to
have. Make notes of each of your loved ones' favorite things to do, favorite
places to go, favorite brands of clothes, favorite games, favorite possessions.
Sit for a minute and brainstorm the possibilities. You might be surprised at the
good ideas that pop up.
4. Shop online as much as you can. You can save significantly at the online
discount stores, such as
Overstock and
SmartBargains. Some sites will save you sales tax; others will have items
you wouldn't find in your local mall. And you can generally find a coupon code
this time of year to save even more.
After you've been shopping online for some time, you may find (like me) that
most of your gifts come from the same two or three websites each year – and that
can save you money on shipping, too.
5. Save for the holidays throughout the year so you're not crunched come
December. It's easier for me to stay in the Christmas spirit if I don't have to
feel like I'm searching for the best bargain on every single item. I would
rather find the exact perfect gift and then use a coupon code when purchasing it
online, rather than running all over town (or all over the world wide web) to
find it cheaper. That probably costs me a little more in the end, but it saves
me a ton of time.
6. Look for quality and personality, not quantity. Nothing squashes my
Christmas spirit more than focusing too much on the price tag…Have I spent
enough on this person, have I bought her enough gifts? Will I give their family
as many presents as she will give my family? When shopping takes on the air of
competition, it's no good. Look for things that are beautiful, lasting,
heartfelt, and sentimental.
Sometimes it helps to supplement something store bought with something
handmade. Buy or create a gift while trying to imagine the look on their faces
when they open the gift.
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Great Gift Ideas
Here, a collection of our best gift picks for all kinds of different occasions. Plus links to coupons and special offers from our favorite gift merchants.
The Very Best Gift Cards
Gift cards aren't created equal. Check out our favorite card options, which we plan to give this holiday season (and hope to get!) Plus, ideas on making gift cards more personal.
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