The holiday season is officially upon us, now that our turkey and stuffing buzz has worn off, and we awake ready to shop our little hearts out. I have never been one for Black Friday shopping, the thought of it makes me anxious. I’ve heard stories of people getting trampled, people camping out for XBox 360s, or whichever other hot item must-have. Not me, I’ve never done it. I was tempted though this year.
I am one of those people who hates the fact Christmas is so commercial. I resist the pressure to buy, buy, buy, especially where there's hype. I’m generally looking at my list on December 20th still trying to figure out a game plan, including who I should be getting presents for, and a budget so the credit card doesn't get used too much. I know it has to be done though. I'm not about to go on strike from presents (find shopping tips links at the end of this article). This year, I have already started to pack-rat away some little finds I know I can use as part of a gift for someone, I bought beads to make a necklace for someone, I have some other ideas to make as gifts, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten.
My oldest sister, came to Thanksgiving dinner with her own game plan. She wanted me to come with her, probably for the teaming-up aspect, and I considered it for the sake of being able to experience what it was all about. She and her 11yr old daughter, and 17 yr. old son were all getting up at 3 a.m. to get to Starbucks by 3:30 for a buy-one-get-one-free deal. Then they would head off to Wal-Mart to get in line for the items they had in their sights. They planned on getting MP3 players, digital picture frames, and a list of other things. Then it would be off to a couple other stores (Target, Khol’s, Best Buy, etc.) to get things they had planned to pick up against competition from all the other passionate early morning Christmas shoppers. They would sleep most of the rest of the day. I've noticed some Black Friday shoppers are a little like addicts.
I love Starbucks, so a buy-one-get-one deal would get me excited, but only if it wasn’t at 3am. I think I can bounce for $4 in lieu of forfeiting sleep. My sister claims she saved close to $600 in her shopping, which is impressive, but it still wouldn't get me out of bed at 3 a.m. I think I’m more of a Cyber Monday kind of girl. Throughout the year, but especially this time of year, I avoid malls and over-crowded stores at all costs unless I have a couple stores at which I have killer-coupons or gift cards to use. As I type this, I have been perusing the online deals, and trying to think of what I need to purchase this year. I’m not blown away by any deals yet.
I’m not very good at pulling the trigger on purchases. I am a big window shopper when I’m physically at a store, so online is my game. It’s easier for me to fill a shopping cart, compare the deal against other sites, and abandon the cart virtually unless I am super driven to get a good deal or a special freebie. Free shipping is nice, but it’s not a huge driver. A screaming deal and $5 shipping is better. I don’t burn any gas, I don’t buy any needless other things I saw while carting around the store, I get what I need, and get out. Mind you, it does take time, but at least I can do it in my jammies. Then I get the added bonus of having it shipped directly to my door, so it’s like Christmas morning opening the box to see the items I picked out.
What’s your big Holiday gift plan? Are you done? Have you started? What are your thoughts on Holiday shopping?
Resources:
Online Shopping Tips - http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/ConsumerNews/cyber-monday-2009-deals-shopping-tips/story?id=9202386
Holiday Shopping Tips - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt082.shtm
Christine Jeffries is a writer/editor for work and at heart, and lives in a home of testosterone with her husband and two sons. She started a women’s group, The Wo-Hoo! Society, in the interests of friendship, networking, and philanthropy. The group meets separately on a monthly basis in the Phoenix and Kansas City areas. Christine is interested in women’s health and promoting strong women.