Here we are…two days away from Christmas. Black Friday and Cyber Monday have passed, but that does not insinuate that you have to miss out on savings and gift giving! For all of those last minute shoppers looking for great holiday gifts, we have come up with a list of tips for saving money on last minute gifts and ideas for gift gifting.
List, List, List
Now is the perfect time to jot down a list of the people you are shopping for and any ideas you may have for them and the amount you plan on spending on each person.
This list will be extremely efficient and valuable for you when it comes to minimizing the amount you spend holiday shopping. Budgeting for the holiday season will allow you to monitor your total spend and will help you stay organized.
Alternatives to in-person mall shopping
Online shopping is a saviour during this time of year! The malls are packed, products may be sold out and line ups are out of control! Online shopping is quick, easy and allows for comparable pricing. Say for example, you want to get your mother a spa gift certificate. Online shopping provides an opportunity to shop around for the best price. Checkout GroupOn for deals, savings and ideas. You may even be able to source a deal, free shipping or coupons. Research your item and idea to make sure that you are getting the best bang for your buck!
Gift Cards and Coupons
Gift cards and coupons are great for money-saving. There are sites that specifically sell gift cards. For example, visit a site like www.giftcertificates.ca which provides opportunities to purchase gift cards from Gap, HMV, Indigo, Cineplex, etc. Coupon codes allow you to take advantage of consumer loyalty perks, cash back incentives and great deals. Check out www.ebates.ca which provides a cashback incentive for purchasing your product online.
Apps
Nowadays, you can even purchase a gift from your very own mobile phone. There are gift apps like Giftagram which allow you to choose a gift from a directory of gift ideas and even goes as far as setting a delivery method. Giftagram curates best-in-class products from local and international retailers; your gift receiver is notified via text or email and they set the address of preferred pick up. Apps allow you to shop within a budget and provides ultimate convenience for both the gift giver and receiver!
Get creative
Personal and creative gifts are usually the most meaningful. Since time is of the essence in these circumstances, and clearly the time has passed for ordering photo gifts or personalized printed presents, consider other personal options. Is your brother a sports fan? Perhaps a subscription to a sports magazine is a good idea. Does your aunt love wine? Print out a certificate that says “a day with me in Niagara wine country in 2016”. Does your niece love princesses? Print out photos of Disney princesses and make a collage for her to hang up in her room! Get creative and personal… those are usually the gifts that mean the most and are cherished!
Holiday shopping does not have to be stressful or expensive, even if it is just a few days before you plan on spoiling the ones you love with gifts!
