When it’s time for holiday shopping, you are either a delayer or a prepper. Like many, holiday shopping always tends to slip my mind until the very last minute. Even though I low-key love the adrenaline rush that shopping on December 22nd gives me, it can be super stressful. This holiday season, I attempted to stay on top of my gift shopping game, and these are some of the tips and tricks that I found most helpful from one procrastinator to another.
Photo courtesy of Anna Dziubinska
I just discovered how useful the in-store pick up option that some stores offer, and it has truly rocked my world. Having that option is scarily dangerous, but makes shopping incredibly easy and cuts costs and saves time. Doing this prevented me from wandering from store to store and walking out unsuccessful. While the experience of going to the mall during the holidays can help put you in the spirit, it’s better to be in and out especially during crunch time. Besides, online shopping always has more options for you to pick from which is another benefit.
Photo courtesy of freestocks.org
I am always looking for cute and clever DIY gifts to give to my friends and family. Not only are they more meaningful than receiving something materialistic, they are also easier on your wallet. You could DIY almost anything you want for super cheap, and it’s guaranteed that whoever receives it will appreciate it. Even something as simple as baking someone their favorite dessert is nice! Similar to making gifts yourself, purchasing baskets or mini gift sets is a great way to cover all of your bases for what you’re looking for in a gift.
With last minute shopping comes a lot of unnecessary pressure. As hard as it can be, being organized can help you get your shopping done in a quick and efficient way. Making lists is one way that is absolutely crucial because if you’re like me, you’ll end up with way more than you needed and more than half of it will be for yourself. Put together a list that includes both what you need and who it’s for. Another way to help stay in order during holiday shopping is keeping track of expenses because we all know how fast they can add up. Keeping receipts or using the same card is a good way to keep track of spending. If you’re looking to significantly limit your spending, consider only bringing cash with you to stores.
At the end of the day, the holidays are about much more than shopping or finding that perfect gift. It’s super easy to get caught up in life prior to the holidays, and shopping can be the last thing that crosses your mind. It happens to everyone and there are ways around it. Hopefully this article gives you some ideas of how to shop smarter for those last-minute gifts or DIY gift projects!