With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and go over-budget during your holiday gift shopping trips. The key to saving money, time and aggravation is to stay organized and plan it out, using these tips!
It’s that time of year again! Holiday shopping season is here, and everyone knows the stress that comes along with it. It’s difficult to balance time, money and resources while shopping for gifts for everyone on your list. That’s why we put together this guide to a successful holiday shopping trip -- so you can get the best gifts for the best price, without spending your whole weekend running from store to store. Whether you started your shopping months ago (good for you!) or are planning your first trip to the stores (don’t forget your mask!), here are some tried-and-true tips for not only surviving holiday shopping season, but THRIVING!
HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIPS TO SAVE TIME & MONEY
HAVE A PLAN
One of the easiest ways to completely blow your budget for gifts is by not planning ahead. It is important to make sure you know where and when you plan on tackling that gift list. Start by grabbing a calendar and seeing which days you have free, and which stores you’d like to visit. Once you know exactly which stores you need to visit (based on the items on your list), make a schedule of which days and times you want to visit each one, depending on when the crowds are the smallest. Trying to achieve all of your holiday shopping in stores with large crowds can be very distracting, and many people tend to rush because of this. Rushing through your holiday shopping can lead to grabbing gifts you think will just get the job done, and not getting ones that are thoughtful and will make your recipients smile.
This leads right into the next step of planning. Before you head to any stores, you want to determine what gifts you are going to get each special person, and how much you are willing to spend -- whether it’s a total dollar amount or a specific amount you’d like to spend per person. It is so easy to get distracted while shopping, and to buy a bunch of gifts not knowing exactly who they are going to be for. This can easily lead to overspending, and that is the last thing you want to be doing around the holidays. Stores want to get you sucked into the flashy holiday sales and promotions on items you do not actually need, so sticking to your list is the key to success. If you are not sure what gifts to choose for your friends and family, check out our holiday gift guide for some gift suggestions based on every home decor style!
RESEARCH AND COMPARE PRICES
Who doesn't want to save some money around the holidays? Like they say, it’s the most wonderful time of the year -- but it can also be the most expensive, if you do not approach your gift shopping the right way! The best way to avoid going over-budget is by researching sales and promotions for each store before you go. Many stores will start posting coupons and promotions on their website well before the holiday season, so definitely keep your eye out for them. This may mean shopping a little earlier in advance to save money, but in the end it will be worth it. Even buying a few gifts at a time will trim your list of responsibilities to worry about as the holidays get closer, so you can spend more time celebrating with loved ones.
Another simple and easy tip to save money is signing up for email promotions! As it gets closer to the holidays, you want to make sure you do not miss out on any great deals, and signing up for emails will prevent that from happening. Stores typically increase their marketing email blasts throughout the holidays to make sure you are extra aware of all the savings and promotions.
Comparing prices is another vital part of researching before you shop. Make sure to take a little extra time to go through your gift list, and search for each gift at multiple stores to see where you can get the best deals. You may find that the same exact gift is available for much less money at a different store, compared to the one you were originally going to purchase it from.
And, if you start to notice that you are buying most of your gifts from the same store, consider signing up for the store's credit card or rewards membership. This is a great option if you are able to achieve most of your shopping at the same store, because you will receive special offers that normal customers don’t have access to. You can always cancel after the holidays if you do not wish to continue, but make sure to read the fine print before signing up! You do not want to accidentally sign up for one you have to keep up with for a certain amount of time if the only purpose of getting it was for the holidays.
SHOP SMALL AND DIY
Bigger is not always better. A big, expensive gift may be intriguing and look fancy, but it is the thought behind the gift that makes it so special. Not always the price tag. Thoughtful, unique and handmade gifts are some of the best ones you can give to those you love. These types of gifts show you focused more effort and thought into the decision of buying it for that special person.
If you choose to get crafty and make homemade DIY gifts, present them in a cute package by writing in a little card or on a gift tag that it was made with love. (Here are our favorite DIY projects that would make great gifts!) A handmade gift shows the recipient that you put a lot of time and effort into it, and that is more than anyone could ever ask for.
By purchasing items from small businesses to give as presents, you will have a positive impact on the owners and might even make their day! Around the holidays, supporting local and small businesses is a great way to spread some happiness and joy. Small businesses really focus on the presentation and packaging of their handcrafted items, offering a personal touch that you won’t find at a big department store or online. Some small businesses depend on the holiday season to make a living, so showing them some love by purchasing gifts from their stores is a win-win situation for everyone! Consider gift cards to local restaurants or businesses, or handcrafted items from Etsy as the perfect gifts for family and friends.
STAY ORGANIZED
Keeping track of your purchases and spending makes holiday shopping a million times easier, trust us! Lists are going to be your best friend throughout the holiday season. Having a list of all the gifts you need to buy will save you time and money. Being able to cross off items when you buy them will prevent you from buying double of something, and prevent you from having to deal with pesky returns. Nobody wants to make a trip back to the hectic stores during the holidays, just to return something they already bought!
A list can also help you accurately keep track of what you already have and what you still need to buy. It will not only keep you track, but help you stay focused and keep you away from those flashy unnecessary gifts that are tempting to buy. You see what you need to get, and cross it off once you have purchased it. Writing the price down next to each item on your list will also allow you to see how much you are spending, and where. This helps you stick to your budget and will save loads of time in the long run.
Make sure you also keep all of your receipts organized... you never know who may want to return something you bought them because it may not fit right, or be the wrong color. Having a folder or a receipt organizer is a smart way to keep your receipts organized in case you need to make a return. You can even bunch the receipts together by store, stapling or paper clipping all of the receipts you’ve accumulated from each store together. This way, you can bring all of your receipts along to the store with you, and all the gifts you may need to return so you can get it all done at once without the worry of forgetting a receipt! It may seem like you have endless receipts, but try your best to wait until at least February before throwing any away, just in case a family member or friend makes a late decision on returning a gift.
We created a tracking spreadsheet for all your gift organization needs! Click here to view it on your smartphone, tablet or computer. Then, click “File” in the top left, scroll down that menu and click “Make a Copy” to use it!
BONUS TIP: STAY ENERGIZED FOR A BUSY SHOPPING DAY
Shopping can be extremely stressful and tiring. Running from store to store can be physically and mentally draining, trying to keep track of all those gifts. It is important to prepare for a long day of driving, walking and shopping. With that being said, the best tip for a successful shopping day is to stay energized! Keeping your body hydrated will help you maintain energy throughout the day, and getting a good night's sleep will also provide you with a sufficient amount of energy.
We wrote about the importance of getting a good night’s sleep and four secrets to better sleep on our blog, and they definitely are worth the read. These tips will not only help you remain productive, energized and cheerful during the holidays, but will lead to a healthier lifestyle and better overall health. Make sure to stick to a healthy sleep routine even beyond the holiday season!
Better bedding leads to better sleep, and nothing is better than the gift of a great night’s sleep for those you love most. Pure, cotton sheets will keep you comfortable all night without sweating or overheating. Crisp and cool to the touch, Feather & Stitch New York bedding is inspired by the linens at luxury hotels, so your bed will look elegant and your body will thank you. And with high-end quality bed sheet sets starting at $46.49, what’s not to love?!