We’ve all heard the adage, “work smart, not hard,” and this is never more true than when planning out your holiday shopping. The less planning you do, the more overwhelming holiday tasks will seem. But with a well thought-out plan, you can save money, time and your emotional well-being, letting you focus on fun with the family over the holiday season.
Plan ahead
First, make a list of those you hope to buy gifts for – and edit! Think of the time and money it will take to ship holiday gifts, and come up with creative gift ideas for those at a distance. Decide what gift you’d like to find for each recipient, and plan out the best way to track down the gift. Will you be online shopping, or shopping locally? Listing everything out will make it easier for you to prioritize gifts and tasks that are more time-sensitive, and eliminate those that may not arrive on time, or are unavailable.
Track price changes for expensive items
Getting started early means you can track any price changes for expensive items on your gift list. Prices can fluctuate wildly over the holiday season, and with supply chain and manufacturing disruptions, you will want to be flexible. If you see a price shooting up on a particular brand, this gives you the time to find a more cost-effective brand in time for the holiday.
Value quality over quantity
Arm-loads of gifts are a headache to buy, wrap, transport and clean up. This year, consider mapping out one high-quality gift per loved-one on your list, and forget about the piles of small, cheaply made gifts that break before the new year. Many companies who offer high-quality goods and customer service, also offer free gift wrapping and receipts for easy returns. By limiting yourself to quality gifts over quantity, you can vastly simplify your shopping tasks and save money on shipping and even wrapping.
Map out your shopping beforehand and group your shopping trips
There will certainly be a few things you will want to buy locally, and this used to mean driving to the store. Consider making use of one of the new, convenient drive-thru or pick-up shopping options, or even opt for at-home delivery from local stores. If you do need to visit stores in person, carefully plan out your route to make it logical, and avoid retracing your steps. This means less money spent on gas, and less time spent in holiday traffic!
Make sure to check shipping and delivery times
Online shopping is easy and fast, but if you forget to check the shipping and delivery times, you may find yourself without any gifts this holiday season. Look for domestic sellers with a Shipping warehouse in your area. This will ensure that your shipping is both fast, and eco-friendly, without the need to ship goods over long distances.
When shopping online, check the different payment options
With so many new Digital payment trends available, it’s important to choose the most cost-effective one for you. Carefully read any small print, and look at reviews to ensure other customers are loving their experience. Many online stores are making payment easier by offering a range of options including the usual suspects like debit and credit, and newer methods like Apple Pay or even a direct bank transfer. Be careful with long-term payment options, and be sure to look at any interest charges that might sneak up and surprise you during the holiday.
Try to shop alone and avoid the weekends
Only 29% of shoppers say they spend more when they shop alone – so go shopping alone! Weekends are the busiest time for holiday shopping, and also come with traffic, lines and crowds. Solo shoppers are much more likely to get in and out of stores quickly, without any impulse purchases. Space out your shopping trips over the week, and keep them as short and sweet as possible.
Considering buying experiences–not just stuff
This holiday season, consider giving loved ones the one thing they couldn’t get over the last year – a fun and exciting experience. Book a night away with friends, or send your nieces and nephews ziplining for a day! Even a simple hike and surprise picnic will be a gift to remember for those in your life – and you’ll get the time you need to catch up and relax with those you love at the same time!
Don’t let the excitement of the holidays get in the way of your budgeting and your peace of mind. Start planning now, to ensure you get everything you need in a timely manner. Reduce your holiday stress this year, by shopping smart, not hard, and don’t forget to spoil yourself a little this year – you deserve it!
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