If you haven't done 90 per cent of your Christmas shopping by now, boy are you in trouble. Last minute shopping breeds frazzled, poor gift-buying. There are, however, some very thoughtful gifts you can get for your loved ones without you having to throng the shopping malls and fight tooth and nail with fellow strung out shoppers! Take for example, giving that person an whole year's subscription of his or her favourite magazine. Each time the magazine arrives at their doorstep, they're reminded of you. The gift that keeps on giving indeed!
Article taken off msn.com
Stop despairing, holiday procrastinators!
10 low-stress gift-shopping tips for those who wait until the last minute
Something seems funny about you today, Gentle Reader. Your palms are sweaty. You appear to be having difficulty breathing. And you’re so jumpy and uneasy.
Wait, wait! I know what’s going on! Have you procrastinated about doing your holiday shopping? Again?
Hoo-boy.
(All of you ultra-organized, non-procrastinating readers out there, bear with me for a few minutes. You just might be able to use the following information to help someone you love!)
Deadline-pushers, stop despairing. These quick tips can help you survive another holiday season and elate your friends and family as well.
1. Do your online shopping TODAY. If it’s important to you that people on your gift list have actual items in their hands by Dec. 25, then today’s the day to start clicking. Many online retailers promise to deliver presents by Christmas Day if you place your order by Dec. 20 using two-day shipping. Some lenient retailers will continue to guarantee on-time delivery if you use overnight shipping by noon Pacific time on Dec. 22. You can quickly check the shipping sections of stores’ Web sites to find out which deadlines you’ll have to hit.
2. Send electronic gift certificates or gift cards. Another option is an online gift certificate that gets sent out via e-mail. Many retailers offer them, and their convenience to you is unparalleled – so long as you feel reasonably comfortable that your recipient won’t mistake your electronic gift for spam. Some retailers allow the certificates to be used only on their Web sites, not in their stores, so make sure the person on the receiving end is comfortable shopping online. You’ll often have until around noon on Dec. 24 to order the e-gift cards and guarantee their timely arrival.
3. Buy tangible, plastic gift cards. Everybody from the drugstore to the electronics store to the coffee shop is offering gift cards these days, so you have plenty of opportunities to look thoughtful by tailoring your gift-card purchases to certain individuals. Just be sure to read the fine print before you buy. Some cards have onerous expiration dates and fees, particularly those bearing the logos of major credit card companies. Fees have become less common with gift cards sold by specific retailers, though. If you’re not comfortable just handing over a card, wrap it inside a mug or put it in the arms of a small stuffed animal.
4. Shop on Dec. 24. Most non-procrastinating types relax on Christmas Eve day – meaning traffic at the malls should be thinner then. Of course, this approach only will work for presents you can give in person locally, not for gifts that need to be mailed.
5. Think food and drinks. Consider “splurges” that your loved ones might not get for themselves – and that also won’t require you to step foot into a crowded mall. Some ideas: nice bottles of booze and liqueur; a case of wine; caviar; prosciutto; gourmet cheeses; fine chocolate; premium olive oils; hard-to-find hot sauces.
6. Order magazine subscriptions. Know someone who loves cooking? Get him or her “Cook’s Illustrated.” Travel? “National Geographic Traveler.” Outdoor and adventure sports? “Outside.” Smart budgeting and money decisions? “Consumer Reports” or “Kiplinger’s Personal Finance” magazine. (You get the idea.) You can buy a current issue of the magazine in question, wrap it up so it looks fancy, and let your loved one know there are 12 more where that came from.
7. Give the gift of yourself. For a gift that’s both personal and easy to execute on a deadline, create “coupons” for services you can provide in the weeks to come. You can give coupons for an amazing multi-course meal, babysitting services, pet-care services, massages, Web site building, car repairs, painting and other handyman services around the home. Just be careful not to over-promise; you’re sure to be remembered for giving a “gift” and failing to deliver on it.
8. Opt for practical ideas. You can get large quantities of items your recipients are sure to use, such as art supplies for art lovers, prepaid calling cards for friends who travel a lot, or specialized emergency kits. For someone with chronic car problems, give a flashlight, gas can, jumper cables, flares and a membership to AAA.
9. Donate to charity in someone else’s name. Through the nonprofit Charity Checks, you can order a check in any dollar amount, then let your recipient select a charity from among 800,000 in the United States. Go to http://www.charitychecks.us/ or call toll-free 1-800-854-5601. (Once again, if you want your gift to show up by Christmas Day, it’s best to place your order by Dec. 20. You might be able to get away with waiting until Dec. 22 to order, so long as you’re willing to pony up for overnight delivery.)
10. Save on speedy mailing. The Priority Mail service offered by the U.S. Postal Service delivers packages in the United States within two to three days for less money than major delivery companies. The flat rates for packages weighing up to 70 pounds are $4.05 for an envelope and $8.10 for a box. To take advantage of this deal, though, it’s best to head to the post office today so your package will arrive by Saturday, Dec. 23.
