The holidays are stressful. Add in the time and money demands of holiday shopping, and you may be tempted to keep a therapist on speed dial. Traveling, surviving holiday office parties, and managing relatives can make the holidays stressful. But last minute shopping doesn’t have to be. Discover how to accomplish stress free holiday shopping below!
You have no idea where to start or what to buy: Whether it is toys, apparel or electronics, major retailers and brand-specific websites are publishing “hot holiday lists” and top picks for almost anything. There are plenty of top picks by Amazon, Toys R Us, and PC Magazine for electronics, plus there are even top pick lists for cosmetics and best buys for kitchen ware. Boutiques offer great gift-giving options as well! Since people really respond to unique gifts, think outside the box, anything from personalized yoga mats to craft jewelry could be just the gift to wow them this season. Check out your local small business boutique for last-minute novelty gifts that your friends and family would love.
Looking to save time and money: If you’re constantly on the go and prefer to rely on some preliminary shopping via your cellphone or mobile tablet, many apps can make shopping a bit more organized and convenient. There are apps for apparel such as Wanelo and Wish, and major retailers or brands also have their own apps such as Pink Nation for Victoria’s Secret. Need to keep track of all your online purchases? There’s an app for that! The larger shipping services like UPS and FedEx have their own apps, but you can also try the Slice app or the Posted app depending on your needs. Online and app shopping will save you the hassle and time, but you need to plan for shipping delays, some of your items could easily be coming from China and take a whole month to arrive.
Complete your shopping in one place or in one day: Pick and choose where you think you may spend the majority of your holiday budget, and join the loyalty programs for coupons and reductions. Be choosy and make sure you register with the loyalty programs that will really deliver savings and unique purchases as opposed to spam mail. The key to holiday shopping is to avoid impulse buying. Make a list, and start early. Go online or ask your loved ones and friends about their hobbies. Stress relief and savings are the result of doing the homework. If you don’t, the worst will happen – you’ll force yourself to buy out of desperation.
How do you avoid stress while getting your last minute shopping completed this holiday season? Share your tips below!
