Last minute gifts can really wreak havoc on your holiday spending. When you had plenty of time to do your shopping, you could comparison shop and take your time finding a good price for the item you want. In the eleventh hour of holiday shopping, though, time is a luxury you don’t have. How will you look after these last minute gifts without blowing your holiday budget?
Buy holiday-themed items. If you are shopping at the last minute, you know that holiday items will be on sale. Gifts of holiday décor items or Christmas ornaments will always be cheaper at the last minute than they are in November. You can also get holiday craft projects for kids.
Collect those coupons. In the weeks before Christmas arrives, you will probably face a deluge of coupons from various retailers. Be sure to hold onto them in case you find yourself shopping for gifts at the last minute. I stuff them all into my purse. Then, whenever I shop, I go through them to see if I have any for the store I’m in.
Buy in multiples. Look for multiple item deals that allow you to quickly finish your last minute shopping inexpensively. A game pack that features two different board games can quickly become gifts for two children. A discounted set of children’s books can be split to give a book to several children. Just because the retailer displayed these items in one package doesn’t mean that you have to give the item in that package.
Bake a gift from your stocked pantry. Baked gifts often cost a fraction of the price that purchased gifts cost. Create a plate of cookies (you can buy a decorative plate if you like) or dessert bars that will please your loved one’s taste buds.
Don’t pay for overnight shipping. If you’ve found a great deal online for that gift you need in two or three days (and you can’t get a comparable deal someplace local), don’t pay that premium shipping cost to get it to you. Instead, print a picture of the item from the internet and gift wrap it. You can have the gift delivered directly to your recipient after the holiday. Your recipient will understand; we’ve all fallen victim to shipping delays.
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Mr first response would be to not let this happen. To just get organized. But I know that it is a reality.
Soo, I think its a great post. Most holiday coupons run thru the end of the month, so the ones you get at the beginning of December–save them even though you might think you won’t need them.
The last mention I think is the best. The online retailers probably make billions off of last-minute shipping costs at Christmas time.
Great post