Shop Last Minute for the Holidays?

Posted in: Celebration / Holidays,FYI Articles,Fashion & Beauty,Shopping / Moneysavers | December 20th, 2009

Shop Last Minute for the Holidays?

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Are you a procrastinator when it comes to holiday shopping? You’re not alone. You’re actually in good company with those who are still looking for that perfect deal, can’t decide what to buy or maybe just simply don’t have the time.

If you still need to pick up a few more stocking stuffers , you’ll join many Americans who have the same idea. And many choose to live dangerously, leaving their entire list till the last minute.

For those who wait until after December 15th to shop, it might be time to get the gift for that hard-to-shop-for person or that relative who has it all. What’s hot and available when time is down to the wire? Here are some ideas for holiday crunch-time shopping success.

Here’s some ideas you may find helpful for last minute shopping:

Give a financial gift. Money, CDs and savings bonds are all good ideas that keep on giving, especially for kids and young adults who are establishing themselves in the world. Plus, there are clever holders and cards to package your gift and make it fun. Sure, these gifts are a bit redolent of your grandparents’ generation, but this gift category has remained popular for a reason.
Get an assortment of herb and spice plants and box them creatively to give someone a personal fresh herb garden. Home Depot always has herb plants in bloom; the local supermarket may also sell them in the horticulture section. They are easy to maintain and perfect for the chefs among your loved ones.
Purchase theater tickets for a hot event. You can make the purchase for a date several months in the future, saving everyone involved from having to schedule-crunch. If you do this for a child, though, be ready to make some speedy explanations. They just might wonder how Santa knew a specific was going to take place & where.
Go to your nearest art store and purchase something that’s truly special and rare. These stores often stock one-of-a-kind gifts that will bring a smile to your recipient’s face. These shops are terrific for scarves, hats, jewelry and housewares. Plus, you’re helping to keep a small business kicking during a rough economy. If going to a boutique isn’t a possibly, drop by Etsy and take advantage of the large number of sellers that offer expedited shipping. This is also a great way to get an expensive-looking gift for a small amount of cash.
Sign the person up for a subscription gift service. For foodies, there’s Bacon of the Month; shoe lovers can find nirvana at Kim Kardashian’s ShoeDazzle or J. Crew’s Shoe of the Month Club. For men, J. Crew also offers a Tie of the Month club. Although these seem like pricey options, they truly aren’t; many include options for three, six or 12 months, not just the whole year.
Assemble items with a common theme in a bag and throw a bow on it. These could be an assortment of mp3 accessories (headphones, speakers, slipcovers and a gift card for music), childhood toys (travel-sized board games and Mad Libs books), or retro-style jewelry and hair clips. Many of these gifts can be pulled together on the cheap in one store location. The larger quantity of gifts will look pleasing to the eye, and you’ll save lots of time.
Appeal to their tastebuds if you’re truly stuck at the zero hour. Chocolate, liquor and cigars usually go over well, as does a gooey dessert or bottle of perfume. For this, remember that packaging is everything; even Hersey bars seem more delicious if wrapped in a cool bag or box.

Tips:

Try to do as much as possible in one central location. As time grows shorter, so does the amount of space you’re able to cover. Sal Ciolfi of AskMen.com advocates narrowing down from the mall to one superstore (Wal-Mart, Target, Macy’s) if time is dear.
Ship smart, ship (quasi) early by following these guidelines for the best possibility of Christmas delivery: ship with UPS and USPS by Dec. 21st to beat the worst of the expedited shipping rush, and for guaranteed shipment of Priority packages. Most major carriers are able to deliver up to the 23rd. For overnight packages arriving Christmas Eve? Have your wallet ready, because you’ll be paying dearly.
Avoid lost packages by using the correct ZIP code (no guessing; it’s better to leave it blank), writing address information clearly and shipping in a box with no wrapping paper. Clumsy preparation results in lost or delayed packages.