Holiday Shopping Tips for Busy Moms
The rising inflation rates and potential Christmas tree shortage has many families already thinking ahead for the holidays. Planning for the busiest time of year is already stressful, but it could be downright exhausting if you are fighting the crowds only to find empty shelves and waiting on no-show deliveries. Want to savor the season instead of stressing over gifts? Here’s how to beat the holiday shopping hustle and actually have fun during the process.
Ask for Lists a Month in Advance
Santa is a busy man, and he’ll want to know early what kids are dying to see under the tree. Especially if the wishes are specific and trendy, like best-selling children’s books or the latest ‘it’ toy of the moment. Have your children kickstart the festivities in early November by writing letters to Santa Claus asking for their most wanted gifts. Rather than encouraging a long list, ask them to narrow down their choices to two or three items. This will make it easier for you to make sure you get the big-ticket toys before they fly off shelves.
Having several options to choose from also allows for you to make up a plan B if a much-wanted product is nowhere to be found. Kids aren’t the only ones you should be shopping for early, though. Ask your partner, family member and friends for any wish lists they have as well. Let them know you’re thinking of them early this year and want to make the holidays special.
Order Online Before December
Delivery person shortages and supply chain disruptions will likely cause serious delays during the holidays in 2021. Something that was supposed to take 10 days to arrive could be pushed out by 20 or even a full month. If you do order anything last minute, make sure it isn’t an essential gift. Opt to buy those in person whenever possible. If you are shopping for some presents online, make sure you are comfortable with a potential week added onto the estimated delivery date.
Reassess Your Budget
Shopping early can help you save money, but the holiday budget can still run tight as you try to fulfill everyone’s holiday wishes. Do some budgeting and find where you could save more. Negotiating bills, deferring payments and refinancing student loans can help you consolidate balances into smaller payments. You may also want to consider what you really need to spend money on this year. A lot of things we deem essential for the holidays go to waste. When in doubt, try to invest in your money more in experiences than material goods.
Ask Relatives to Help Out
Fill in grandparents, aunts and uncles and other family members what everyone is buying. This prevents anyone from purchasing duplicates. Collaborating schedules and budgets can also help you divvy up the kids’ wish lists and ensure they get what they really want the most. If someone is shopping online, they can even arrange for local in-store pickup so you can swing by and grab some gifts on your way home from work. Another reason to work together is the reduced pressure to impress one another. It sounds silly, but some families become more competitive with gift buying than necessary. Treat it like a team effort and enjoy the process of making holiday memories. The goal, after all, is to make the season special.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
