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Christmas shopping tips

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Powered by Mom shares a few Christmas shopping tips with you!

I should really publish this article at the beginning of the new year because believe it or not that is when I often start my Christmas shopping. Oh I know some of you don’t want to hear about Christmas shopping yet but it’s coming soon people and if you want to avoid the crowds the majority of the time and get some great deals then you need to think early. However for you who shop at the last minute there’s even a few tips for you too!

Had to share our slightly goofy Christmas picture 🙂

 PBM Christmas pic framed

As I said I’ve already started my Christmas shopping, in fact I’ve been doing it all year long. I make a list of who I know I need to buy gifts for Christmas, including business associates and I keep an eye out on sales and items that I think might be a good fit for someone on my list. If an item is on for a great sale then I snag it and put it away for the holidays. Obviously this can’t apply to food items but you’d be amazed at how many gifts you can get at better prices when you’re not tied to just getting it during the holiday season.

I hate waiting until the last minute in fact one year my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I were actually shopping on Christmas Eve, it was nuts! After that crazy experience I was determined never to be Christmas shopping that late again. I’m happy to say I never have done it that late again and in fact I’m usually done by late November or early December at the absolute latest. Now shipping off the parcels that’s another story 🙂

I scope out websites that sell any specific items I’m looking for and to give me ideas for those hard to buy for people like my mother-in-law! I like Amazon of course as it’s good for a huge variety of products, price comparison and for you last minute shoppers quick shipping!

Here are is a summary of the tips I’ve mentioned so far and some other tips for Christmas shopping to help make it easier for you and hopefully save you some dollars.

  • Shop early, I mean early like all year long, summer at the latest. There are great deals ALL YEAR LONG!
  • Make a list of who you need to buy gifts for and brainstorm some general ideas of gifts for them
  • Bookmark websites where you like to shop to watch out for sales
  • Check out dollar stores for stocking stuffers, they don’t need to be expensive but people still enjoy getting them and it’s fun!
  • Browse online and do search for discounts and coupons for specific products or stores you’re hoping to shop at
  • Some stores you can buy the same item in multiples cheaper, check it out and see if you need multiples or go in on it for a friend. For example I’ve bought things for my daughter, 2 nieces and my cousin’s 2 girls they are all within 2 years of each other so multiples has worked great for toys and even clothing for them
  • Check out online deal sites
  • Check out flyers for local stores before all the crazy holiday shopping
  • For the brave go to Black Friday sales – this is not for me I don’t like crowds but I know many people have scored during this time
  • Check out Cyber Monday sales – more my speed, done from the comfort of my home
That’s all we have for now but I’m sure more will come and if you have some great shopping tips please share them in the comments below!

This post was not sponsored by anyone, I just want to save you all the hassle of shopping in busy malls 🙂

 

 

 

About Powered by Mom

I’m Michelle aka Powered by Mom. I’m married with one daughter, my hubby was my high school sweetheart, our two dogs Apollo and Cleo and our cat Oliver. As you can see we’re a family of animal lovers. We love to travel when we can, try different food and activities all over the world and enjoy being together. My passions are writing, travelling, creating new recipes, encouraging people to adopt not shop and just to enjoy life while we can.

Comments

  5. lisa says

    When you shop, leave the kids at home, if possible. To me shopping is a chore. Especially in cold weather. I usually just pick up gift cards.

    Reply

  6. Debbie Welchert says

    I haven’t started shopping yet but these tips will help and will help even more for next year. I’m going to try and make lists for presents for next year and keep an eye out for sales instead of waiting for last minute shopping. Thanks for the tips.

    Reply

  9. cyndi f says

    Man you are so right You can find such good deals all year long then of course i wait til right now and have very little money and like a dumb dumb have to scramble I use to shop all year, now i havn’t been. ugg when will i learn. Thank you for the tips.

    Reply

  11. loucheryl says

    LOVE the photo! My tip is if you are out shopping and see what you are looking for, BUY IT! Don’t wait because it may be gone when you go back and want to buy it.

    Reply

  12. Ashley C says

    Absolutely love this! The tips are great. I somewhat do buy gifts throughout the year so I don’t have to struggle to buy gifts during the holiday season. Those that I have to wait for, I will buy online during black friday time… I never go into the stores, though.

    Reply

  13. Michele Ash says

    I really enjoyed reading your Christmas Shopping Tips and the Picture of your family all dressed up for Christmas! I try every single year to go out the day after Christmas and see what kind of gifts I can get for the next Christmas or for Birthdays, Anniversaries throughout the year. I generally am done shopping by now as well, however, I really don’t have anything this year! I’m so afraid that I’m going to let the kids down this year! We had such a terrible 2014 with sickness, hospitalizations, surgeries, major surgery, doctors, specialists, etc. etc. Both my husband and I are disabled due to a horrific auto accident where we were struck from behind by a hit and run drunk driver (we are on a fixed income) My husband was working a part-time job to help with the groceries and other things. Since he has been ill and had major surgery, he has not been working! With that extra money not coming in and all the bills now magically appearing, money is just too tight! Everytime I mention Christmas and who I need to get something for, he just says we have time yet. He’ll be saying it up and including Christmas Eve at this point! I’ve been entering online contests like crazy trying to win Christmas Gifts! I’m up until like around 3am every single day just trying to keep up! He yells because I’m up late and nothing wonderful has happened yet. However, I’m just hopeful I guess (either that or just plain dumb). Anyway, Thanks so much for the tips, like I said I try to do whatever I can when something is on sale throughout the year, however, this one was a complete bust! Thanks again, Michele

    Reply

  19. Jerrica Evans says

    I usually don’t start my Christmas shopping until late in the year. I always plan to do it throughout the year but it never ends up that way.

    Reply

  20. Anne Marie Carter says

    I agree with your philosophy of “shopping early” and often. I also purchase things when I see them if I know someone in my family that would like that item. I save the things that I purchase all year, just waiting for Christmas.

    Reply

  21. Sue Hull says

    I start my shopping in July. I try to win giveaways of stuff I can give as gifts. I’ve got my niece,sister and some of my daughters done. My granddaughter is only 6 months old so she’s easy to shop for. My sister sells Avon so that helps me too. Thank you for all the great tips 🙂

    Reply

  24. Sue Harp says

    I had to chuckle when I read your comment about shopping on Christmas Eve, since I’ve been there and done that!! I agree that it’s best to get it done early, and now I do try to pick things up all year round. The only problem with this is when I give a gift that, for whatever reason, needs to be exchanged or returned and it’s either past the return date or is no longer available for exchange. But for the most part, it is best to plan early and get it done. It gives me more time to enjoy the fun parts of the Holidays, like baking, watching Christmas movies and just spending time with family. Thanks for all the tips, it really helps when heading out to do some power shopping!!

    Reply

  25. April M says

    It sucks cause we always wait until the last minute and rush around trying to find stuff. This year I’ve been picking stuff up online here and there. Thanks

    Reply

  33. Stacey Roberson says

    I definitely agree with shopping early. I don’t like waiting until the last minute and then the deals are gone. I look for deals year-round for Christmas gifts.

    Reply

  34. Jennifer Heintz says

    Enjoyed reading your tips for holiday shopping. For the procrastinators (like myself), mailing directly from the retailer to the recipient works well. Why double mail? I agree that shopping throughout the year would be much better.

    Reply

  35. sandy weinstein says

    good tips but i love the deals for black friday, but it is so much that i get tired of it…fast, what happened to just celebrating the holidays and become such a crazy mess. i like now that you can at least get the black friday deals ahead o time, however, you have to pick and choose b/c cant get them all.

    Reply

  37. Karen says

    I always shop all year long. I do surveys to earn Amazon credit, so when something drops in price, I can scoop it up while it’s in stock. Otherwise, Amazon price gouges right before the holidays. I try to avoid paying their overpriced costs in November and December!

    Reply

  46. Tina Bornheimer says

    I wish I could shop early, but I am on social security disability and it’s not always an option for me, but great tips!

    Reply

  47. Gale McCarron says

    Great tips to keep in mind to make things easier and to keep it in order. I swear by my lists and would be lost without them. Thanks for your advice!

    Reply

  49. Lisa Garland says

    These are some great ideas! I actually start after Christmas when they have some big sales. Victoria’s Secret and Bath and Body have a great semi annual sale after Christmas. Also, shop clearance at Target all year long.

    Reply

  50. Michelle G. says

    Cyber Monday is the ONLY way I shop!! I’m not the typical girl that loves shopping, I despise shopping actually & if it wasn’t for my daughter not a single person would get Christmas gifts!!

    Reply

  53. Jennifer Hiles says

    I like the idea of Cyber Monday. I’m not a big crowd person either. I’ve been to Walmart on Christmas Eve, it’s insane. Never seen anything like it. I need to remember to bookmark the sites I want to shop at.

    Reply

  55. TrippyCusp93 says

    These are excellent shopping tips for the holidays! I always shop at Amazon for the children’s toys and I generally do my purchases early. This year, I’m making Christmas candy for all of the adults, so I’ll be keeping my eye on Kroger’s specials and deals. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  56. Saundra M says

    These are great tips. I am on a fixed income and I shop for Christmas all year whenever I see a great deal. I always try to be done by Thanksgiving and only have 1 more to buy.

    Reply

  57. Jeanine says

    I am physically unable to do any amount of holiday shopping such as would be in a mall-type setting so I shop before Thanksgiving and then do all of my remaining shopping online or in local shops. Thanks for the great hints!

    Reply

  59. robyn donnelly says

    The tips are great ideas and very helpful, thanks. Anything that helps save time or energy is always appreciated.

    Reply

  62. Lisa Schweizer says

    Thanks so much for sharing all the great tips. I never shop Black Friday either, too many fights and I hate crowds!

    Reply

  64. Jennifer Gleaton says

    Thank you for the great tips and ideas! I’m with you on not liking crowds. Drives me nuts with all the chaos! Yes when my sisters and I were younger, we had a ball going out on Black Friday. Now days I enjoy sitting in the comfort of my home ordering on line! Thanks again!

    Reply

  66. Penny Delgado says

    Thanks for sharing great tip on shopping for the holidays. I will sure use this tip next year on start looking out for those marked down items on my list and start shopping early 🙂

    Reply

  67. Joann says

    I hate shopping in December. I try to be done by early december. I start after September though since my sons birthday is in September most of what I get early in the year go to his birthday gifts, but I’ve done the black friday shopping and the christmas eve shopping once. Never again. I didn’t think it was worth the wait or stress of it. I shop mostly online for my husband and father and my kids I hit discount stores, freecycle in my area and second stuff.

    Reply

  69. Dorothy Teel says

    Great ideas and one of the biggest that I must always follow is to use a list and it helps me if I go for one grandchild at a time and I love the dollar stores for stocking stuffers, go early and don’t wait until Christmas Eve..LOL

    Reply

  73. Cindy B says

    Thanks for the tips! I agree about shopping all year. When I see something I know a certain person would love I buy it right then. I keep a box in my closet and store everything together so I don’t forget about what I’ve already purchased!

    Reply

  78. Cheryl Rogers says

    I love all your shopping tips, I try to start earlier and earlier every year! I have 5 kids to buy for so that keeps me on my toes to stretch my budget every chance I get!

    Reply

  80. Shannon R. says

    I agree after Christmas is actually a really good time to start Christmas shopping for the following year if you want to get really good deals

    Reply

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