It is time to prepare for Christmas!
That’s right!
If you’re wondering when to start Christmas shopping, the answer is right now! Let’s be honest, Christmas is technically one day a year, but in reality, Christmas starts (for some) on November 1.
For this blog, I asked the only “Christmas Queen” I know – my best friend- to give me her best tips on her top Christmas shopping hacks for a stress-free Christmas. Why is my best friend the Christmas Queen? She starts Christmas shopping for the next year before the current year is over!
I’m excited to share some of her awesome tips to help you prepare for Christmas!
Most people are scrambling at the last minute to find gifts and the perfect wrapping paper. Meanwhile, my best friend has her gifts purchased, wrapped, and organized by the recipient weeks before Christmas.
On top of that, every gift she buys is thoughtful and appropriate for the person receiving it!
Now that Christmas is just a few weeks away, I figured it would be helpful to share some of her insanely brilliant hacks for early Christmas shopping.
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Early Christmas Shopping Tip:
Start shopping for Christmas the day after Christmas
December 26 has some of the best deals of the year! Take full advantage of this. If you can, sneak away for a few hours and check out some of your favorite stores for Christmas items.
Of course, check the dates to make sure whatever you’re buying is timeless.
The best items to buy the day after Christmas are:
- Wrapping paper
- Gift tags
- Tissue paper
- Stocking stuffers.
- You can usually find clothes on sale as well! Especially Christmas sweaters and PJs.
Finding the Perfect Christmas Gift Tip:
Practice active listening
Time to put on your listening ears!
The biggest tip for finding the right gift for your family and friends this Christmas is to listen to them throughout the year.
If you pay attention, your friends will often say things like “I like this”, “I want that”, “Isn’t this cool”. Write those items down and look for them on sale throughout the year.
Stress-Free Christmas Shopping Tip:
Use Amazon lists
Did you know Amazon has private lists? Create a private list on Amazon and gather items all year long!
Here is how to create your list:
Here is how to invite your friends and family to see your list:
This is probably one of my favorite features. If you’re really struggling about what to get someone, just ask them! Have your friend or family member create a list on Amazon and share it with you.
My husband and I do this often. We load our list up with lots of options to make sure our gifts to each other are helpful and useful.
Christmas Budgeting Tip:
Buy a gift card every payday
No matter how hard we try, sometimes it is difficult to set cash aside for Christmas shopping. Instead of putting away cash, buy gift cards to use for Christmas shopping!
Each payday, buy a gift card at a store you usually shop at, no matter the amount. Collect the gift cards in a safe place until you’re ready to use them to buy gifts for family and friends.
Another idea is to use those gift cards as Christmas gifts!
Christmas Money-saving Tip:
Take advantage of sales
Sales are happening year-round. This means your Christmas shopping can happen year-round as well. Anytime you’re in the store or browsing online, sneak a peek at the sales section or the clearance Isle.
See anything that would make a great Christmas gift for someone? See an item on sale that is also on your Christmas list or Amazon list?
You don’t have to wait until fall to start shopping for December 25.
In fact, the earlier you shop, the better deals you will get and the more meaningful your gifts will be.
Waiting to the last minute usually means little effort and through was put into the gift.
Looking for Gift Ideas?
Check out the most popular Amazon Christmas gift ideas here!
Let Me Know With A Comment
To help with a stress-free Christmas, start Christmas shopping now! Will you try any of these tips? Are you a last-minute shopper or do you prepare for Christmas ahead of time?
Love the idea of buying gift cards all year round .
Caressa,
Yes! It’s one of my favorite shopping hacks to prepare for Christmas.