People spend time and money choosing gifts for their loved ones on Christmas. In 2017, it was estimated that Americans spend an average of $967.13 on gifts, which means the spirit of gift giving remains strong, probably not just in the United States but all over the world.
The holidays are fast approaching, which means people will flock the malls with last minute shopping and the lines will undoubtedly be long. You know how hard gift giving can be when you do it last minute. So why not do this opposite? In this article are handy buying tips you could do so you can avoid the big rush.
The Big Rush: How to Get Your Christmas Shopping Going
Avoiding the big rush can be tricky, especially if you don’t have Christmas gift ideas yet for your family and loved ones. So how should you approach buying gifts for the holidays?
- Get your budget and lists ready weeks ahead: If you have a projected set of days for shopping before the holiday rush, make sure you sort the budget and gift lists a few weeks ahead. This ensures you avoid the pitfall of shopping during the rush because you forgot to make your lists and didn’t get to shop ahead of time. A lot of stores already set up sales and discounts weeks before Christmas, so prepare your lists and budget early.
- Buy in bulk, especially for groups of people: If a lot of people in your gifts list belong to the same group, such as from a hobby group or from work, you can actually just buy gifts in bulk and customize them later. For instance, you can buy specialty mugs or shirts in bulk and customize them according to each person’s personality or preference. This is convenient as you can buy many items in one go and you may even get discounts when buying in bulk. You’ll also have enough time to personalize your gifts when you shop early. Personalized gifts are more meaningful than generic ones.
- Make a wish list for your loved ones and friends: Asking people what they want isn’t exactly a bad move. Sometimes, it can be good that you ask people directly what they’re looking for so you can buy it for them. This allows you to give meaningful gifts that your recipient will surely appreciate and use. You can also ask them alternatives to the things they want in case of unavailability. This will save you a lot of time, effort, and money.
- Do your shopping from home: Another way you can avoid the big rush is to actually not participate in it. Online shopping platforms can be just as productive as physical shopping – minus the hassle. Plus, a lot of online shopping sites offer discounts when holidays are approaching. While shipping costs and other fees such as registration do entail cost, you can actually save in other areas. For instance, you’re saving gas and time. Think of these fees as paying for the convenience that going to the mall will not give you.
- Gift cards are practical and offer flexibility: Gift cards are slowly becoming popular, not just because they’re easy to give but also because this gives people the freedom to choose gifts for themselves. This significantly cuts down your time used for shopping and avoids the scenario of giving a gift that your recipient will not like. Gift cards are also convenient for busy people who don’t have the time to shop and those that just can’t make up their mind when choosing gifts.
The Early Bird Gives the Perfect Gift
The big rush during the holidays can be a scary thought. Imagine hundreds or even thousands of shoppers in long lines and heavy traffic and everybody’s tired and exhausted. Being early really helps. Keep the above tips in mind so you can enjoy your Christmas shopping and gift giving.
