Here we are again. Thanksgiving is over and we are back on campus to finish off the remaining few weeks before winter break. For many of us, coming back for these remaining weeks was a struggle, especially since they mean finals. But let’s talk about happier things: shopping!
This year, Christmas shopping began even before the turkey was on the table, with more and more stores open on Thanksgiving Day, with special sales before the big sales on Black Friday. Then thousands of people lined parking lots early in the morning to be the first ones in the doors when stores opened as early as midnight on Black Friday. Don’t forget to remember this past Monday, known as Cyber Monday, a day full of special online deals for those who like to shop from the comfort of their couch instead of running around the mall from store to store. It’s actually quite convenient, because you don’t have to look for parking for twenty minutes before finally getting into the store.
With so many sales and so little time left (there are only 24 shopping days left till Christmas after all), it’s easy to get carried away in all of the holiday shopping. Already, with parking lots full, people are getting frustrated with lines, parking, and just other people in general. Let’s try to remember that it is the holiday season after all, a time to be thankful, joyful, and appreciative. Add patience in there too please, and maybe the holidays may not be as aggravating as they are sometimes with the amount of things to do and buy on our lists. Be courteous to other people in line and the sales associates. Don’t make their lives even harder. Everyone wants a checkout line to move as quickly as possible, but having a bad attitude will only delay the process. Sometimes the deals are worth the wait.
As college students, money is probably tight once again, with the semester coming to a close. How to scramble enough to buy gifts for friends and family are thoughts that never seem to leave our minds around this time. If you need to shop, now is the perfect time to do it, with new sales and deals coming every week. If you need some suggestions as to how to go about your holiday shopping, here are some helpful hints to help you this season to help you find the perfect gifts for the people in your life.
Make a list and set a budget.
List the people you plan to buy gifts for, the type of gifts you plan to buy, and how much you plan to spend. Include the cost of the gifts, holiday travel, extra food, wrappings, decorations, greeting cards, and postage. If it relates to the holiday season and it costs money, add it to your budget. It’s easy to get carried away when you don’t have a plan. So make one and stick to it.
Shop around.
A “sale” price isn’t always the “best” price. Some merchants may offer a sale price on the item you want for a limited time; other merchants may offer items at a discount every day. Compare prices and stores. Sometimes an extra trip to another store will save you some big money.
Go online.
Check out websites that compare prices. If you decide to buy from an online merchant, keep shipping costs and delivery time in mind. Also, buy early. You don’t want to end up paying extra to ship something to make sure it gets here before the holidays. Plan ahead. Buying online makes things easier, but you have to remember, you don’t get your merchandise right away.
Homemade gifts are fantastic.
Enough said. This is an option for the creative. Everyone loves a homemade gift, especially if they are fun and creative. Look into it as an option, because usually materials will be cheap and the work you put into the gift will make it mean all the more. This is the perfect idea for parents. Who said that you still have to be in elementary school to make your parents something? Mind you, make sure to make them something nice that they will really enjoy. Best part is that craft stores usually offer coupons to lessen the price your creativity will have on your wallet.
Happy shopping everyone!!!
