The final countdown to Christmas is on. Your tree is well lit. The cookies bake in the oven. The stockings are hung. But you might still have some shopping to do. If you need to pick a few last minute things, don’t miss these smart strategies to keep money in your pockets and those receiving your gifts merry and bright.
DO: Take Advantage of Gift Card Deals
Nearly every restaurant out there is offering incentives for you to purchase your last minute gifts there. Many of them offer an additional “bonus” for purchasing either from their website or the nearest location. Skip picking up these items at the big box retailer and buy on site instead to snag the best deal.
DON’T: Buy Seasonal Items
Christmas is near. That means even if you find a decent deal on an ugly sweater, you have mere days left to wear it before it’s out of season. Avoid the urge to snag holiday leggings, stuffed animals wearing Santa hats, and any more Christmas decor. If you really want those items for next year, WAIT. In a week, the price will be sliced in half (or more).
DO: Look for Bath and Body Kits
A day or two before Christmas, retailers hope to capture last minute hurried shoppers and place bath and body kits in the center aisles. Think: bubble bath, toothpaste, lotion, etc. The closer the holiday draws, the further the prices fall. Even if you don’t need these items as gifts for Christmas, their practical nature allows them to be used all year long. Put them back for your household or stash them aside to break apart into gifts (as long as they’re not seasonally themed). Many of these items are at their lowest price of the year. Keep your eyes peeled.
DON’T: Buy Gifts for Yourself
Last minute holiday shopping weakens the resolve of even the most stalwart shopper. But buckle up and resist the temptation to buy items for yourself in these final hours of holiday hustle and bustle. More than likely your family will bless you with an abundance of items in the coming days. Don’t purchase a bunch of things you might not even need just because you find yourself immersed in commerce.
DO: Look for Practical Winter Items
No one probably loves receiving long underwear on Christmas morning; however, colder days are coming. If you need to fill in the gaps of last minute gifts, look for items to keep your friends and family warm in the long winter ahead. Pick up hats, gloves, boots, sleds, shovels, emergency kits for the car, ice melt, and more. Sure, you may not hear shrieks of joy when they’re unwrapped but these items come in so handy for those who receive them.
DON’T: Buy “Just One More” Gift
Buying gifts and feeling like you’re keeping the total gift tally and amount spent “even” can lead to a maddening cycle of buying “just one more” gift over and over again. Fight the temptation to pick up just one more thing. Spoiler: there’s always one more thing, no matter how many things you buy. When we find ourselves in this conundrum, we often purchase items the recipient doesn’t need or even like. Sometimes, you just need to shut it down.
Stay strong, shoppers. Keep the big picture in mind and put stops in place to keep from going overboard. Don’t lose sight of the season or fall into shopping traps during the last few busy moments of the season.
Check out my ebook Keep the Happy in Your Holidays: 21 Ways to Save Time, Money, and Your Sanity This Christmas for more money saving tips!
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission.
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