Holiday Shopping Tips
We have hit the time of the year where everyone starts to think about Holiday gifts. Whether you are buying for a coworker, friend, family member, or employee, it is easy to go over budget and buy the wrong item. Below are some basic tips for getting the most bang for your buck this holiday season.
Making a List
Most people already do this; however, spending the time to write down a list and not go off memory can help save you time, money, and effort. This list should also be more detailed than just a list of names. A best practice for making a quality list starts with knowing who you need to buy gifts for but should include a few different possible gift ideas for that person. Knowing the type of product or service that the gift recipient would enjoy receiving is crucial to relieving holiday shopping stress and helps save money. In addition, starting a detailed list early allows you to shop online and time to peruse printed advertisements to find out where and when to purchase the gift to ensure you receive the best value.
Knowing When to Buy
Researching stores and product offerings can help you save big during the holiday shopping season. Many people assume they must shop door buster deals on black Friday to get the best price and this cannot be further from the truth. Yes, occasionally there will be a must get deal that morning; however, many retailers offer the same prices for the sale products the week prior and the week after black Friday. Many companies have their advertisements posted online several weeks before they get mailed out. Spending the time to look can help save money and time. Finally, it never hurts to ask store employees. Sometimes they will know of an upcoming sale and they can possibly advise you as to when to buy a certain item to get the best price without having to deal with the crowds.
Using the Internet
The Monday following Black Friday is now known as Cyber Monday. It is a great time to shop online to get great deals; however, the internet can be used to help you shop local stores too. A growing trend for brick and mortar retailers is allowing customers to buy products online and pick up in the store. There are several benefits to doing this. First, you can get great sale prices and not have to wait in long lines. Many companies also allow you to purchase black Friday deal items online for pick up later allowing you to get the deal without the headache. Secondly, purchasing online for in store pick up allows you to keep the feeling of instant satisfaction. You no longer will have to wait for a package to arrive at the house or office. You can make a simple trip to the store and pick up the item at your convenience. Finally, you will not waste time traveling to stores only to learn they are sold out of an item. Knowing the items are waiting for you for pick up alleviates the worry of running all around the city looking for one item.
Setting a Budget
It would be nice to be fortunate enough to be able to buy whatever you want for whomever you want but, most of us don’t have that kind of money. Setting a budget is key to ensuring everyone on your list gets a gift that you can be proud of. Knowing how much money you have to spend allows you to use tools, such as online and paper advertisements, to pick out the right gift for the right person at the right price. Setting an early budget ensures you have enough time to get the gifts you need and helps you ensure you have enough money to pay the bills after all the gift shopping is complete.
Working in Teams
Holiday time means busy stores and long lines everywhere. A best practice to avoid wasting a large amount of time is to ensure you get everything you need at one store in one trip and to work with family and friends to set up a shopping plan. Creating a holiday shopping team with assigned tasks can ensure that people are not continually waiting in long lines at the same store. Each team member can have an assigned list from a few stores. This allows you to get everything that everyone needs while being efficient. So don’t hesitate to compare lists with a family member and friend and to share some of the shopping duties with them.
Shopping for the holidays can be both fun and stressful. Ensuring you have a budget, a plan of attack, and people to help you out can ensure you get done quickly and efficiently without the headaches of stressful last minute shopping. It is never too early to start planning and remember to enjoy the season of giving.
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