Five Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Tips

We’ve all been there before.

The holiday is just around the corner and you still have shopping left to do. Perhaps you just have one gift left to buy before a festive event or you haven’t even thought about what you’re going to get for anyone yet.

Sure, it’s not ideal, but the holidays can still be merry and bright. Here are a few tips for last-minute holiday shopping that will save you both time and money.

1. Look up store schedules

Putting off holiday shopping ’till the very last minute means you don’t have time to wait for deliveries. But there’s no reason to make life tougher on yourself by guessing which stores will be open at the eleventh hour.

Instead, take a few minutes to find out what store hours are on the day you plan to do your shopping. You may be surprised to find that many stores (beyond the crowded mall) have extended hours. On the flip side, some local businesses may have tighter hours as the holidays approach. Either way, double-checking is an easy way to save time and gas.

2. Order ahead

Shopping in-person can be hectic and stressful when it’s close to the holidays. Save yourself time and cut down on impulse buying by browsing online for gifts that you can pick up in person, at local stores. 

You can even go one further and look for retailers that offer free gift wrapping. A lot of stores offer this complimentary service, although some do it for a small price. Even for a low fee, it could be worth the expense to save you some time on wrapping and money on gift-wrapping supplies.

3. Give gift cards

A gift card is one of the easiest gifts to find, but that doesn’t make it any less valuable. With gift cards, you can get a lot of bang for your buck, and the recipients have the freedom to choose the gift they really want. It can also be the ideal choice for someone whose taste you don’t know very well. 

If you have several people to shop for, visit a location that sells a variety of gift cards from multiple stores. You can also save time by buying virtual gift cards and then printing them out or sending them via email. To make your money go further, try looking for promotions that give you additional free cards if you purchase a certain amount.

4. Look online for coupon codes

Cutting coupons can be time-consuming, but online discounts and coupon websites make it much faster to find real savings. Before heading out to complete your purchases, check to see what promotions you can find online. Sites like RetailMeNot or Slickdeals can provide you with plenty of opportunities to save your much-needed cash, and they might even inspire some gift ideas.

5. Make a list and stick to it

For efficiency’s sake (and the sake of your wallet) compile a shopping list before you head out the door or get online. Make sure to include all family members, friends and coworkers you need to buy for. Think ahead about people you’re likely to run into at holiday parties, too.

Then, see if you can come up with some specific gift ideas before you start browsing. If you don’t have time to come up with a thoughtful gift for each person, decide who you want or need to spend the most time on. For the others on your list, consider gifts that you can give to multiple people but add a little personal touch to each one. For example, you might give each friend a different printed and framed photo, or a book you think they’d enjoy.

You don’t have to break your budget

Waiting until the last minute to complete your holiday shopping is far from ideal. Aside from the stress, it can also tempt you to spend outside your budget. While it might feel good in the moment to haphazardly throw a bunch of pricey gifts into your cart, you don’t want to be stuck paying off debt well into the new year. 

Instead of making impulsive spending decisions around the holiday, use our list of tips to save yourself time and ensure your money goes towards more meaningful gifts for your loved ones.