Let’s face it, gift cards are awesome gifts! But if you’re looking for a gift that’s going to create a room full of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs,’ a gift card is not the way to go. Sure, they’re convenient and allow you to cross everyone off of your holiday list in mere minutes…but a thoughtful gift tops a gift card any year. Luckily, with my help and a little scouring for deals, you’ll be hearing ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ more than you’ll be hearing ‘ho ho ho’ this holiday season!
Know what you’re looking for: Take the time to think about what the perfect gift would be for whomever you’re shopping for. Whether it’s something big or small, cheap or expensive, the receiver of the gift will love it if the gift shows that you put time and effort into picking it out. I got my mom her favorite cookies from Trader Joe’s last year; they only cost about $4, but she loved them because she rarely ever gets them since Trader Joe’s isn’t near my hometown. It was small and economical, but, to her, it meant so much since it was personal! Plus, once you know what you’re looking for, going shopping for it becomes a breeze and you can spend more time shopping for yourself!
Subscribe to your favorite stores’ e-mail newsletters: Almost all retail establishments have a newsletter that you can sign up for on their website. The e-mails can get a little annoying if you subscribe to a lot of stores, so only sign up for your favorites and the favorites of people on your list. They’ll send you any deals they’re having on their websites or in store so that when you head out to the mall, you already have a game plan of what deals to hit first!
Use websites such as retailmenot.com: If you’re deciding to try virtual shopping this year, don’t just assume the coupons and sales on the store’s website are the cheapest you can get your gifts. There are so many popular websites now that provide coupons for any and every retail website you can think of. They’re easy to find (just Google ‘coupon for [store you’re interested in]’) and even easier to navigate. The last time I used retailmenot.com, I saved $50 off my purchase and got free shipping! Plus, websites like amazon.com sell a variety of items, brand new, for cheaper than any store!
Image Credit via Pinterest