Christmas Shopping Tips

From Tip Sense

See also: Christmas Shopping Tips, Getting Things For Less, Tips_On_Buying_Clothes_For_Your_Kids.,Tips on Mail Order Buying

Start

Note: When you add a new tip, please make sure that they go to correct section by looking at existing sections.

1 About
2 Introduction
3 Tips
4 Christmas Shopping Do’s
5 Christmas Shopping Don’ts
6 Check List
7 Sources/Reference
8 Authors

[edit]

About

Christmas Shopping Tips: This Tip Article contains various sections, which are about <Here are the hot tips for Christmas Shopping.>.

Related Tips are pulled into common sections. Please check before you insert your Tips to make sure that it goes in where it make more sense.
Circulate this link among friends so they can join the party and refine your Tips. HAPPY TIPPING!!

[edit]

Introduction

Christmas is definitely a time for joy and lots of shopping! The malls are decorated with trees and streamers fill the air. But before you get the cash registers to ring, read these tips so you can come home as a happy customer.

[edit]

Tips

[edit]

Make Lists

Lots and lots of lists.
Spend an evening with notepad and pen, or in front of your computer (with no distractions) and write down who you're buying gifts for, what meals you will be preparing during the holidays, any extra baking or cooking you'll be doing, and a miscellaneous list for things like gift wrap, tape.

251-5222%20la

[edit]

Plan Your Route

If you're planning on doing a major shopping trip, decide on your primary shopping destination and then consider the places you'll be passing on your way.
For instance, if you'll be braving the mall, there might be several specialty shops on the way to the mall where you can stop in and pick up gifts, wine, stocking stuffers, or gift certificates for those hard-to-shop-for people.

[edit]

Make A Rough Outline Of Your Budget

Decide before you head out how much money you want to spend on each person on your list, as well as for food and drink.

This is just a guideline of course, but the better prepared you are, the less likely you will be to overspend.

[edit]

Check Out Weekly Flyers

Not only will you inform yourself of sales or discounts on items that will make perfect gifts, but you may also find inspiration in regards to gift ideas.

[edit]

Get online

Check out the selection and prices at online stores before you step foot in a mall.
Oftentimes you'll find great deals! Remember to include the price of shipping and any taxes you'll have to pay when calculating your total cost.
Another advantage of online shopping is that many stores will gift wrap your order for you for a small fee.

[edit]

Use your computer

Use your computer to save money at offline merchants too.
Your local mall may have a website where you can search for sales or printable coupons to take to the store with you.
Individual stores also have websites, and these are handy to find store locations and also sales and coupons.
If you really want to dig deeper, do an online search for "shopping coupons" and have a look through some of the sites dedicated to finding great deals, discounts, and coupons.

[edit]

Generic Gifts

Pick up a few 'generic' gifts, like bottles of wine, boxes of chocolates, or seasonal decorations, and stock up on gift bags and tissue paper.
Put these away in a closet, ready to pull out when you need a quick hostess gift, or when you have unexpected guests bearing gifts for you and your family.

[edit]

Take Advantage Of Seasonal Sales

Purchase next year's wrapping paper, bows, and cards at half price after Christmas. Check out the Back to School items for stocking stuffer in September.

[edit]

Educate Yourself

Educate yourself before making a purchase. Check out the store's refund and exchange policy, just in case.

[edit]

Receipts

Keep your receipts. On the back of each one, record exactly what you purchased and who will be receiving it.
Also make notes on the refund and exchange policy of the store.
File these away and keep them for several months – longer if you've made a significant investment with your purchase.
If anyone needs to return or exchange a gift, you'll be ready and the receipt will be easy to find.

[edit]

Christmas Shopping Do’s

Brand matters - Shop at good quality stores. Christmas is a time to buy gifts for others, so you don’t want to buy cheap goods that will last only a few months.
Look for durable items that will remind your recipient of your love throughout the coming year.
Stay safe - If you’re buying online; be sure that the website has SSL technology.
You definitely want your credit card information to stay secure. Further, if you don’t receive your purchased item, you can contest the charge.
Make a list - One way to save money this Christmas would be to prepare a list well in advance.
Don’t head out to the store only with your credit card in hand. Impulse shopping can keep you up at night worrying about bills!
Special wrapping - Christmas gifts are more than just gifts. They reflect the sentiments of the giver.
So save a little money to wrap up your gift in a special way. You can even add a customized note to each family member.
Discounts - They can be found at almost every store. Make best use of them! Keep your eyes open for a good bargain.
However, don’t compromise on quality!

[edit]

Christmas Shopping Don’ts

Avoid weekends - If you want to avoid bumping shoulders with every other shopper then go shopping on a weekday- preferably in the morning.
Salespeople are a lot friendlier when they don’t have a crowd to handle.
Don’t limit your choice - So you’ve made a list of items to be bought, but you can’t find one or two. What do you do?
Plan for this in advance by writing a back up gift option on your list. This will save you a lot of time especially if you’re shopping for a large number of people.
Don’t lose receipts - Save all the receipts from your Christmas shopping expedition. You may need it later, when your gift turns out to be faulty or has a missing part.
Your gift recipient will be glad you can get a replacement.
Don’t wrap right away - Check your item thoroughly before you thrown on the fancy wrapping paper. Also remember to remove the price tag and other purchase particulars.
Don’t wait - Christmas shopping doesn’t need to be restricted to December. Shop when something catches your fancy. You can store it away for Christmas day!

[edit]