‘Tis the season for holiday shopping. Last year, according to CBS News article, American consumers spent over $10 billion dollars on goods on the day after Thanksgiving sales—a day many know by the name of “Black Friday.”Check out our Rural Mom’s top ten tips for smarter holiday shopping and gifting to keep your holidays happy and your pocket book full:
Make a gift list and check it twice!
It’s easy to forget presents if you don’t have a list of gift recipients you are buying for. It’s equally easy to spend too much and/or purchase too much if you are not keeping track of what you are purchasing for each recipient.
Craft it.
The most memorable gifts are those that are handmade and often the handmade gifts are less expensive to prepare. If you don’t have any ideas for handmade gifts, look to websites such as marthastewart.com/ for ideas and inspiration.
Swap it.
A fun idea is to hold a “tag on” gift exchange. Invite your friends from work or get the neighborhood gals together to exchange items that they have never used. Chances are everyone has something in their closet that still has a tag on! Spread the items out on a table, give each person a turn to select one based on the number of items they bring to the party.
This can be a fun and persaonally rewarding experience and you may just find some fun items to gift to those on your holiday list . The only trick is to not offer up an item that you received as a prior gift from the party participants!
Visit daily deal websites.
A good practice during the holidays and throughout the year is to keep tabs on your favorite “deal” websites or blogs, such as FatWallet.com. You’ll find up-to-date information on the latest sales, bargains, and often amazing savings on popular items.
Take advantage of price policies.
After you purchase a gift, especially a high dollar gift, keep your eye out for price drops and sales. Many retailers will refund the difference in price for up to 30 days from purchase.
Comparison shop.
If you know what item you are looking for, complete your research ahead of time by checking out the current and expected sale prices using Internet resources such as pricescan.com or by scoping out popular retail shops individually.
Consider coupons.
When comparison shopping, be certain to check for coupons or special offers from retailers. If two retailers offer the product for the same price, a 10 percent off coupon for one of the retailers could make your decision for where to purchase a bit easier.
Trade time, not gifts.
It’s nice to swap gifts during the holidays, but it’s a far greater gift to spend time with those dear to you. Instead of spending time shopping and purchasing a gift, suggest to a friend that you set a movie date or meet for a leisurely breakfast during the holiday frenzy to serve as your mutual holiday treat. It’s a holiday gift you will both treasure!
Shop off-season.
Okay, so it’s a little too late to mention, but one of the smartest shopping practices is to shop throughout the year, taking advantage of seasonal sales and clearances.
Often, you will find deeper discounts and better deals throughout the year than are offered on Black Friday. This habit will also help you to stretch your budget dollars throughout the year instead of having to cough up holiday expenses in one lump sum.
Lastly, but certainly not least…
