How to Survive the Holiday Shopping Season — and Save Money
As much as we wish it would, shopping for presents during the holidays doesn’t usually resemble a montage scene in a movie. Instead of strolling through the mall, happily holding a dozen shopping bags while the whole thing is soundtracked by some energetic pop song, it typically means crowded parking lots, empty shelves, and checkout lines long enough to make you regret ever leaving the house. Even worse, you might even get hit with a bout of “shopper’s block,” which is when you have absolutely no idea what to buy someone.
For a season that’s supposed to be all about holiday cheer, a stressful shopping experience can turn the most spirited shopper into a first-rate Ebenezer Scrooge. The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way. As long as you have a well-conceived plan, you’ll be able to avoid the annoyances that go hand-in-hand with holiday shopping — and save money — all in the comforts of your home.
Ahead, seven tips that just might help get you through the treacherous holiday shopping season unscathed.
First things first, it’s important to set a budget for your holiday shopping. Little purchases here and there can add up very quickly, and by holiday season’s end you could end up shocked at how barren your bank account looks. After all, according to the National Retail Federation, shoppers are looking to spend an average of $1,047.83 this holiday season alone. Make a realistic spending budget and stick to it. That way, you won’t feel tempted to spend your hard-earned moola on outrageously costly items or find yourself burning up your credit cards. You can also get some help with your budgeting by using apps like Mint or Pocketguard. This is especially important if you have other holiday-related expenses to tend to, like traveling, hosting guests at your home, or throwing a dinner or White Elephant party.
Black Friday might be over, but that doesn’t mean you’ve lost your chance at snagging a good deal for your gifts. Plus, many retailers have extended their Cyber Monday sales into the week of Green Monday (the second Monday of December). Want to gift best-sellers from stores like Amazon, Sephora, and Anthropologie...but not pay premium prices? Use Honey’s Droplist to track price changes. We send you an alert once your chosen item dips below your preferred cost. You can also score savings even if there isn’t a discount available — members collect free Honey Gold (redeemable for gift cards) while shopping with participating retailers, so you can earn back some of that cash you’re spending during the season. Yep, you’re buying a gift that keeps on giving.
It’s time to channel your inner Santa (or your choice of allegorical or sacred gift-giving figure) and make a detailed list of everyone you plan on shopping for. This should include both the who and the how much, meaning you should apply your budget to each person on your list. Figure out how much you want to spend on each person. It’s important to be realistic — unless you’re balling on a Kardashian-level budget, you probably won’t be able to afford a present for every single person in your life. (Don’t feel guilty about it, either.) If you feel comfortable having a conversation about present-buying beforehand with your partner, close friend, or family member, that could be a big help as you sort out your shopping plans.
It’s good to have an idea of exactly what you’ll be buying each person on your list before you set out to shop. Sure, you can walk into the mall or pull up a retail website and improvise your purchases, but you probably don’t want to go into this whole shopping thing blind if you don’t have to. You’ve already got enough on your plate as it is! Spend a little bit of time brainstorming your giftees’ interests, including everything from their most-loved fashion designers to their favorite authors. If you don’t want to ask them for a wishlist straight-out, do a little bit of social media recon. They might have posted an Insta Story of an item they have their eye on. Finally, include different options for gifts in case your first choice is sold out or doesn’t meet your budget.
If you do find yourself suffering from a case of the aforementioned shopper’s block, don’t be afraid to think outside of the gift-giving box. You can get them something that might not be an actual product, but an experiential gift instead. Do they have every single type of quartz crystal under the sun? An aura photography session could be a good gift. Do they like to cook? A pasta-making class just might be on their bucket list, and you can easily find one on Groupon. The gift of rest and relaxation is unmatched. Book a staycation for your loved one through a travel website like Orbitz or Travelocity. You’ll win brownie points alone for the creativity and thoughtfulness (and you might even be able to tag along!).
You might feel pressure to buy individualized gifts for every person on your list, but you can save time and money by doubling or tripling up on the same gift for different people. For example, if you have a couple budding mixologists on your list, nab a few cocktail or wine-themed sets. For beauty-obsessed cousins, curate a few gift baskets containing on-sale skin care sets from Kohl’s, makeup goodies from Target, and some hair accessories from Urban Outfitters.
While the easiest advice to give is to avoid all brick-and-mortar stores and do all of your holiday shopping online, that isn’t always possible. If you do have to brave the mall, be mindful of the times you go (and wear comfortable shoes). Weekdays are always going to be better than the weekends when more people are off of work, and try going first thing when the stores open or even late at night. You can also optimize your shopping experience by making your purchase online and choosing store pickup. Not only will you avoid shipping fees, you’ll also save time skipping the line since most of the time retailers have a specific counter where you pick up the goods. As for the crowded lots, you’ll have to make an offer to the parking gods for that one.
Happy holiday shopping!