Last Minute Shopping Hacks
I love giving gifts but sometimes obtaining the gifts is not my favorite. Do you ever feel that way? Every year I think, “I’m going to get my shopping done early so I don’t have to worry or think about it!” And every year that doesn’t seem to happen. I want it to! In my mind I REALLY want it to but when it comes down to it sometimes I just get overwhelmed and so I put it off. And now it’s December! Surely I’m not the only one that this happens to. Well, if you are like me, here are a few ways to keep your last-minute shopping as stress-free and inexpensive as possible…
Order online and pick up in-store
Don’t sweat over delayed shipping or the impossibly long lines in stores before the holidays. Instead, order what you need online and arrange to pick it up in the store. Most retailers offer this option now, and choosing it will give you the best of both worlds. You can browse from the comfort of your home, and pick up what you need (provided they still have it in stock) in no time at all, usually on the same day or within 24 hours. As an added bonus, many stores have designated parking spaces for shoppers who are picking up these types of orders. I used this option once already this year. My boys wanted some headphones that Target had on sale so I bought them on my phone, then drove to the store and picked up. Simple and Painless!
Get stocking stuffers at the dollar store
The dollar store is your best friend when it comes to last-minute stocking stuffers for your family. Browse carefully for fun finds, from activity books and sticker packs for the little ones, to scented candles and funky-colored nail polish for your tweens and teens, to fuzzy slippers and socks for your better half. Best of all, no one has to know they came from the dollar store!
Send a gift card through Giftly
Gift cards are the best cheat for the overwhelmed shopper, but they can also be a tad impersonal when you want to show you really care. Take the easy way out and keep the personal touch in your gift-giving by purchasing a gift card through Giftly. Here’s how it works: You suggest a gift item for your recipient, like “spa day” or “new electronic gadget” and then select a place where they can choose the gift. Or, you can leave it open for your friend to decide. You can send your “gift” via email, text message or even deliver it in person. Add a customized message, and the recipient can use the electronic gift card at your chosen place, or, if you’ve left it open, wherever Visa gift cards are accepted. Gift-giving, done! I know I love getting gift cards (or cash). Sometimes it is hard to spend money on ourselves so when I get gift cards it gives me the freedom to get something I want and not have to pay for it.
Shop small businesses
Avoid the heavy crowds and empty shelves by shopping at smaller, independently owned stores. They’re likely to be better stocked, even this late in the season, and you can enjoy more personalized service, too. Shopping at local mom-and-pop stores will be helping an independent business stay afloat during a time of year when kindness counts most. I know in Abilene, Tx, we have some of the best local businesses to shop. From boutiques to restaurants to sporting goods and breweries, you are sure to find something for everyone on your list.
Shop during non-peak hours
Another way to avoid the big crowds and bare shelves is to shop during slower business hours. In retail-speak, this means hitting the shops as soon as they open in the morning. The shelves in most stores are restocked overnight, and if you get there before the crowds, you’ll get first picks at the best gifts. Aside from a bigger selection, shopping in an emptier store will make it easier to make responsible, budget-conscious decisions.
Leaving some or all of your holiday gift-shopping for the last minute doesn’t mean you need to blow your budget, fight big crowds, or try to make your list work when you’re facing empty shelves. Use the tips outlined above for last-minute shopping that’s easy on the wallet, light on the stress, and makes it possible to find the perfect gifts.
