Christmas is days away, but that doesn’t mean that you have to stress about shopping. If you’ve still got a few presents left to put under the tree, here’s a guide to help you stay sane.
Embrace online shopping
If the thought of trudging around malls and standing in line for hours on end is making you feel anxious, move with the times and embrace online shopping. Today, you can order just about any item online and have it delivered to your home or work address within a few days. Many companies also offer next-day delivery, which is ideal for those last-minute buys. If you know exactly what you want, use a search engine to locate that product, and compare prices. All you have to do is enter the name or product code, and you’ll be presented with a host of links to different websites. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, take a little time to browse websites, check out gift guides, and always compare prices from different retailers before you buy. It’s worth noting that many stores have a final order date for gifts that are required for Christmas, so check this before you order and consider paying more for a 24-hour service.Image from https://kaboompics.com/photo/4908/young-woman-sitting-on-the-sofa-and-working-on-her-laptop
Use hobbies and interests to give you inspiration
Are you struggling to conjure up original ideas for your partner, your teenage kids, or your dad? If so, use their interests and passions as a source of inspiration. What do they like to do in their spare time, and how do they spend their money? If you’ve got teenagers who are mad about Lego, but you don’t know which set to buy, look for ideas on the LEGO Ways website. If you’ve got a partner who loves sports, buy tickets to a match, order the latest jersey and add their name, or look into options like a gym membership or wearable technology. If your dad loves to cook, you could order some recipe books, personalize a cheese board or arrange some professional classes. Put your own interests aside when you’re shopping for others, and think about what will make their face light up when they tear back the paper.
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Vouchers and gift cards
You might think that vouchers and gift cards are a cop out, but they can actually be a really thoughtful gift idea. You can buy all kinds of different gift cards these days, including those that offer your loved ones the chance to enjoy a day out or a bit of pampering. You could buy vouchers for clothing stores and arrange a shopping spree, purchase a gift card for a restaurant or the movies or even buy an experience like a track day, ice skating, a night at a spa hotel or a helicopter ride. The world is your oyster.
Are you on a mission to complete your Christmas shopping with minimal stress? If so, hopefully, you’ll find this guide useful. Search online, think about what your loved ones like, and be prepared to swap material gifts for experiences and adventures.