Surviving Christmas Shopping and staying within budget
eBay Christmas Gift Ideas
Follow these simple tips to make shopping quicker, easier and dare-I-say it, enjoyable?
- Make a list
- Check that list twice
- Set a budget. Put an estimated price next to each person's name.
- Put down any ideas you have for each person and keep an eye out for those at special prices while you're out shopping.
- Do your research at home/work. Don't spend hours wandering the shopping centres until well into the morning on Christmas Eve. Instead do your shopping online, or at least your Christmas gift shopping research online.
- Have a Plan A gift and a back-up Plan B gift idea. In a perfect world you will be able to find the suede black mens wallet with 5 card inserts and a zipper coin pocket. However if you're looking for it on December 23 then the chances of it being in the first, second or fifth shop you walk in to are low. Have an open mind a a few backup gift ideas to fall back on if you get stuck.
- Circle ideas from catalogues. If you're after an ipod, check the electrical and department store catalogues for sales and bonus packs on offer during Christmas.
- Stick to your budget. If you spot an "extra" little thing for someone buy it and put it aside for their birthday.
- Wrap presents when you buy them. if the store offers free gift wrapping take them up on this convenience. Remember to put cards on each gift to remember which is which.
- If you are ordering online keep a track on the delivery times, the delivery cut-off dates and the store Christmas operating hours. Track any items you purchase online to ensure they arrive in time for the 25th.
- Get creative . If you can't find the perfect black belt for your Mum then be prepared with a plan B or C depending on how much time you have before Christmas day. Maybe make a belt from a ribbon. Or look for an Obi belt. Or move on to the plan B gift idea.
Following these tips has ensured my Christmas gift shopping is finished in time for Christmas Eve carols every year.
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