Beat the Rush: 10 Ways to Find the Best Holiday Deals Now

Holiday-shoppingEvery year, the holiday shopping season feels shorter. Before you know it, you’re out of shopping days before Christmas and wind up making costly last-minute gift buys. This year, Lakeside has you covered with these suggestions to help you avoid the rush, get the best holiday deals and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list!

1. Speaking of lists, make one if you haven’t already
Even Santa makes a list – and checks it twice – to make sure he has something for everyone. By writing out your holiday shopping list well in advance, you give yourself a chance to find inspiration for the ideal gift. You’ll also save because you have time to comparison-shop and find the best prices.

2. Have you ever known someone who seems to come up with the perfect present for any birthday or holiday?
They don’t have any special magic; they just watch and listen closely. People won’t always tell you in words what they hope to find under the tree, but when you see a pair of slippers that have worn out their welcome or important passwords written on scraps of paper instead of in a password organizer, you’ll know what they need.

3. Order early to beat the Cyber Monday rush
The Monday after Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for online retailers, and just like their brick-and-mortar counterparts, they need time to process orders. By ordering before the peak of the shopping season, you ensure that everything arrives with plenty of time for you to wrap and tag gifts at your own pace.

4. Set a budget and stick to it
This suggestion may be the toughest one to follow, but budgeting your holiday gift-giving helps you shop wisely instead of reaching for impulse buys.

5. Know how to spot the best holiday deals
Compare prices and read product reviews to find out if that brand-name item is truly worth its high cost or if alternatives with lower prices are the better bargains.

6. Choose a trusted online retailer
The greatest price in the world isn’t a good deal if the Christmas gifts you buy don’t ship until February or arrive in poor condition. Look for companies that have an “A” rating with the Better Business Bureau. Companies that have been pleasing customers for years will also take good care of you during the holidays, so buy from well-established online shops.

7. Be a night owl
Many online shops offer the best holiday deals as soon as the clock strikes midnight on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Stores want your business and will try to outdo one another with early sales, so looking a few hours before a major retailer’s big sale is set to start can pay off with major bargains.

8. Combine a homemade gift with one you buy for a thoughtful and economical present
Bake a loaf of cranberry bread in a festive holiday loaf pan or deliver home-baked cookies in a reusable cookie jar. They’ll think of you every time they use their gift.

9. Pick up some small gifts, wrap them and leave them unlabeled for any surprise visitors who knock on your door with a present
Find a moment to slip away and write your generous friend’s or neighbor’s name on a gift tag, and then reciprocate the thoughtful gesture by giving a gift of your own.

10. Don’t worry
Panic-mode buying leads to over-spending, so shop at your leisure instead of rushing the week before Christmas. Ordering early also lets you pay less for shipping because you won’t need a quicker delivery time.

You’ll be the life of the party when you can focus on being with family and friends instead of fretting over your shopping list. Give yourself the gift of taking care of holiday shopping early, so you can better enjoy the Christmas season.

Image Credit: antiochpoa.com

2 Responses

  1. November 28, 2013

    […] Beat the Rush: 10 Ways to Find the Best Holiday Deals Now […]

  2. November 20, 2015

    […] Beat the Rush: 10 Ways to Find the Best Holiday Deals Now […]

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