Christmas is a time to celebrate and make merry. It’s a time to exchange gifts with loved ones and friends. As a result, the festivities is also a time to shop for gifts and holiday essentials.
However, with the holiday packed with lots of things to do, it’s easy to forget Christmas shopping until the last minute. This makes shopping more stressful than fun.
You need to plan and do your shopping faster to save time for other important Christmas-related activities. Here’re a few tips to help you do your shopping faster and spend more time enjoying your festivities:
- Begin shopping early
Start shopping before Black Friday to help you save time for other fun events during the holidays. At this time, you’ll navigate stores and parking lots easily due to fewer crowds.
Shopping early will also ensure that you get all your popular Christmas gifts, which sell out faster during last-minute shopping. At this time, everyone scrambles for the last few items remaining in physical and online stores. You’ll also benefit from expedited shipping.
If you have a large family with kids, shop early before schools break for holidays to ensure that you don’t have to bring them with you. This will make your shopping easier and faster.
- Create a List of Christmas Gifts to Buy
A shopping list ensures that you buy everything you need for Christmas while preventing impulse buying. You also need one to shop faster.
Create a list of everyone you want to buy for a gift this holiday season, including gift exchanges you intend to make. Include at least 3 “emergency gifts” in your list for persons you may forget. They also come in handy if you receive surprise gifts and want to reciprocate the show of love.
Write down the gift you want to buy against each name on your list. You may also set price limits for each Christmas gift. Some categories to include in your shopping list include:
- Cooking – Christmas meals for your events or parties
- Decorations – outdoor and indoor decor
- Family traditions – what do you need to buy for the family gathering? The activities you share will determine the things to buy. Consider crafts, baking essentials, an advent calendar, picture books, Christmas pyjamas, candles, etc.
- Friend and family gatherings – kitchen essentials, including food and plates, napkins, outdoor games, picnic blankets, and much more.
- Giving – gift wrappers, donations, Christmas cards, community service, etc.
- Gifts – write down gifts for friends, family, activity leaders, teachers, other community members, hostess events, etc.
- Organize Coupons, Gift Cards, and Ads
Use a leather organizer binder to hold all your coupons, gift cards, sales ads, and discount cards from your favorite stores. Do this before you set out for your shopping trip. Cut on your budget with the balances on your gift cards.
Collect all your ads and coupons from stores you intend to visit for the best deals on items on your shopping list. Don’t forget to bring your discount cards and club cards for more savings on your shopping budget.
- Shop Online First
Before you visit physical stores, shop online first to reduce your shopping time. Search the items you need on your favorite online stores or retailers. Buy as many gifts as you can online to reduce your costs.
Check off each item you order online off your Christmas shopping list. Depending on your list, you may buy almost everything you need from the comfort of your home. This is a great way to save on money and time, making it possible to do your shopping faster.
- Buy Several Popular Christmas Gifts
Consider buying several popular Christmas gifts for your friends and family if you don’t have time to get each person something unique. Apart from the need to save time, you can also opt for multiple popular gifts if you want to appreciate your kids’ teachers.
The same gifts can also work for your neighbors. Choose different variations, colors, and styles of same gifts to save you time. For example, you may get your nephews hoodies, wearable blankets, or craft kits in different colors based on each individual’s color preference.
Opt for a popular gift item for different categories of people in your shopping list. Simply vary the styles and colors of items for some uniqueness.
- Shop Under One Roof
Buy all the items you need for Christmas under one roof to expedite your shopping trip. Choose a comprehensive department store or shopping mall that’s family-friendly and offers diverse items for sale.
The stores stock up all brands of books, toys, homewares, DVDs, and electronics for the whole family. They also retail clothes, shoes, tools, food, and everything else on your Christmas shopping list. It’s a great way to save time and money.
Conclusion
Whether you intend to celebrate Christmas abroad on a holiday or at home with your family, you need to prepare early with the right shopping. These tips can help you expedite your shopping to save time for other fun activities during the festivities.
