What are your best Christmas shopping tips?

1. 95

   ThePracticalMommyposted 12 years ago

   What are your best Christmas shopping tips?

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2. 79

   LisaKoskiposted 12 years ago

   The best tip I can think of is just to start early. I usually start around October just because I'd rather not do it all in one go while people are crowding out the stores. Plus it's a little easier to manage my budget that way.

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3. 75

   Author Cherylposted 12 years ago

   Shop  on line when they are offering free shipping, have it delivered to the persons house then there is no issues.  I love amazon that is my favorite place to shop.  If you love to wrap then still order online when free shipping is offered.

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4. 61

   melbelleposted 12 years ago

   For the following Christmas, buy all your decorations and cards the day after Christmas when everything goes down drastically.  If you can plan a year ahead, buy some of your gifts for people the day after Christmas.  If you have birthdays coming up after Christmas, buy those too.   If you are crafty, make presents - people always seem to appreciate a quilted or crochet blanket, but for these items you need to start like now to have them done by Christmas.

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5. 61

   JP993posted 12 years ago

   I would say do it the day after. I know thats no good if you've got young kids but for the older people you got to buy for, I'd say hold out till boxing day.
   
   Competition is far greater these days due to the internet so there is a massive slump in sales for businesses after christmas hence why they have to put on great deals and sales post christmas.

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6. 86

   JayeWisdomposted 12 years ago

   Avoid crowds and shop from the comfort of your home.  I do ALL my Christmas shopping online. (Amazon, Overstock and Daedulous Books are some of my favorite sites.) I have limited mobility, so online shopping is really a "must" for me, but I think I'd do it at this stage of my life anyway. I remember how much I disliked the crush of holiday shopping in the days before I took it online.  Even when I began shopping early, it seemed that EVERYONE was shopping early--same crowds, same problems finding a parking space, same frustrations when I had to go from store to store looking for one particular item....Now all it takes is a mouse click!

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7. 60

   B. A. Williamsposted 12 years ago

   Try to make more gifts than buy them since they mean so much more to people. Online seems always cheaper than the stores and saves gas in shopping.

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8. 61

   jeffrinposted 12 years ago

   Christmas shopping is always been tricky task even if you have plenty of time & money. Avoid crowds. Shop online at your convenience with Ebay, Amazon or Overstock. Look for gift vouchers and coupons (I like couponsnapshot.com, christmascoupons.com, etc) Dont forget to look for Free shipping & Discounts.
   
   I would also suggest off-line shopping but that to in off-peak hours like in noon time.
   
   Plan in advance so that you dont forget anything.
   
   Finally, indulge in sooper dinner and await for big day!

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9. 0

   Casimiroposted 12 years ago

   Being in Costa Rica makes my usual Christmas shopping habits difficult. Online shopping is becoming harder due to Customs stopping nearly all packages, especially if they are obviously coming from a business. It means for online to work we have to plan months ahead.
   
   If you're in the States or some other modern country, online is great. I'm not a big fan of shopping in the malls or other shops at Christmas time, but I think if you don't do that at least once you are really missing out on the Christmas spirit (or maybe it's a fever). And there really is no online substitute for being able to handle the merchandise up close and personal.
   
   So, I'd plan on a four-fold approach:
   1. Mostly online
   2. One or two trips at least to the shops
   3. Hit the after-season sales big-time, just hope you can remember where you put that stuff next year!
   4. Make at least one gift per family member yourself, these can make lifelong memories.
   
   Gad, is it really almost that time of year again....

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   1. 0

      Casimiroposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, and for handmade online things don't forget about Etsy.com

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   2. 63

      StandingJaguarposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, Etsy is a great site! Even if you just want cute or custom cards. Good catch!

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10. 63

    StandingJaguarposted 12 years ago

    I sometimes pick up little things through out the year if I see something I know a family member or friend will like. You just have to remember that you did!
    
    I have always gotten raves when sending "artisan" or "handmade" edible items too. Last year I picked up local jams and hot sauces, focusing on recipes that weren't common in stores, and my family loved them. For my friends I sent them artisan chocolates and candies, based on their preference (as you can imagine, this went over well!). Two years ago I sent out different chile and corn wreaths from Santa Fe (where I lived at the time) and those were a huge hit! They last for years, and my family loves the southwest. My family has also done Omaha steaks and burgers, cheeses, chocolates, hot chocolate mixes, etc... I say go for the food!!!
    
    (p.s. I guess I'm one of the few who doesn't mind holiday crowds. I think it's kind of fun and festive to be out with lots of people doing the same thing! Plus there's pretty lights and music!)

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11. 38

    miyagi714posted 12 years ago

    Buy presents early! You never want to go last minute and have the item you want be sold out! That would be a horrible way to spend Christmas!

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12. 70

    teaches12345posted 12 years ago

    Lots of practical advice already listed and I don't know what else could be added to it.  I do like to shop early and to do it online because it is much easier, saves time and shipping costs.  Also, meaningful gifts can also be gifts of service and time.

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13. 63

    cat on a soapboxposted 12 years ago

    There are so many great suggestions here! I always buy things throughout the year and put them away. The remaining shopping I do on line through the Cyber-Monday specials after Thanksgiving.

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14. 80

    Mitch Alanposted 12 years ago

    Set your budget and THEN shop. It's so easy to start looking first and then fall in love with those "perfect" gifts and go way over budget. Make a budget and then stick to it and you will find creative ways the get just the right gift for your friends and famiy...and you'll be able to enjoy Christmas more without the stress factor of over spending. And, from personal experience, that is not always as easy as I just made it sound.
    p.s. If you are buy something for me...disregard what I just said...the sky's the limit.

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15. 52

    tigerthanaposted 12 years ago

    There are so many great suggestions here! I always buy things throughout the year and put them away. The remaining shopping I do on line through the Cyber-Monday specials after Thanksgiving.

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16. 60

    iefox5posted 12 years ago

    Buying the stuff you really need and want to buy. Buying online seems much more convenient than offline nowadays.

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17. 74

    moonfairyposted 12 years ago

    My best tip would be to take the time and actually shop for the person that the gift is for, not for what YOU like. I can't tell you how many gifts I've received that were NOT me at all....but the giver thought that it was "so cute!". Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the thought very, very much but please don't buy me a doll that sings...I'm not going to know what to do with it, even if it's cute.lol!! I think that a gift is well received if it's something that's appropriate for them and their lifestyle.

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18. 58

    ElleBeeposted 12 years ago

    Budget, start early, and don't go crazy!! In a few years we'll remember the memories of Christmas more than the presents anyway

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19. 67

    Cardiaposted 12 years ago

    Start shopping from early!
    My mom actually had a great idea a few years ago - she has a large cardboard box, and throughout the year if she sees something that she thinks would be a good Christmas/birthday present for someone, she puts it in there. She also keeps a list (somewhere in the box) saying "x item for Christine, x item for Kathy" etc.
    So sometimes by the time November/December rolls around, my mom has practically finished, and would only need to look for gift wrap and bows or last minute presents

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20. 81

    Efficient Adminposted 12 years ago

    We can all save a lot of money by shopping right after Christmas at the sales, and also look for bargains throughout the entire year.  Not paying full price we all can save a ton of money.  Pay with cash only.  Save up cash first if necessary so there will be no stressful credit card bills arriving in January.
     
    Right after Christmas all the wrapping paper and bows and ribbon goes on sale and you can stock up for real cheap.  Also when online shopping throughout the year there are stores that offer sales and discounts as well, so you will save money there too. 
    
    That way when it's 2 weeks before Christmas you won't have to fight for a parking spot or fight the crowds.  Just sit at home in your warm slippers and sip some cocoa.

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