Maybe you’ve heard, but there’s an ongoing supply chain struggle happening in the world, and it’s not going away anytime soon. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping issues, and labor demand issues, we’re experiencing a perfect storm of limited production and limited workforce to move products. What does this mean for you and your holiday shopping? If you’re looking for the season's hottest gifts, you may need to act fast.
So set a money date, like tonight, and start creating a budget, timeline, and plan. This is not the year to procrastinate. Looking to buy your loved one the latest Apple Watch Series 7 or a hand-crafted gift from Etsy? You’re going to find yourself in a pickle if you wait too long.
In case you don’t feel like reading this whole article because you need to drop everything to start your holiday shopping right now:
This is one of the most important steps, even in “normal” years. Establish your budget up front before buying anything for anyone, and stick to it. We tend to splurge and overextend ourselves during the holiday season, because we want to make our loved ones feel special. Give the gift of joy, and keep your budget intact.
Consider not purchasing directly from Amazon.
If you find a product you want to purchase on Amazon, look up the vendor. You can likely save money and shipping time by going directly to the vendor’s website and making the purchase directly from them. Not only does this help the company — they’ll no longer have to pay fees to Amazon they would have to whenever someone purchased their items through Amazon — but it also allows the vendor to pass the savings back to you, often in the form of free shipping or expedited shipping.
BONUS: Shopping directly from the merchant helps support small businesses!
Do use Amazon to find great gift ideas. Sift through the hottest items and trends to see what everyone is asking for this year. Browse the pre-made categories for new ideas.
Do purchase directly from Amazon when buying an Amazon branded product (duh), or if you’re truly out of time (because most vendors won’t ship as fast as Amazon).
Be prepared for long lead/delivery times as boutique shops tend to be more specialized and understaffed — though the quality, craftsmanship, and care are unparalleled. As mentioned earlier, boutique shops may not be the best option if you’ve really procrastinated, as small stores tend to have longer delivery times.
Many companies start Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) sales the week of Black Friday. There’s a good chance that you’ll be able to find deals as early as the Tuesday before (11/23/2021).
The world wide web is filled with helpful tools and extensions that can assist you in your holiday shopping. Some worth noting:
Hot item: Apple Watch Series 7 — the latest installment of the Apple Watch is a life-saver. No joke, with the latest features implemented in the Series 7 (including oxygen blood level monitoring and the ability to take an ECG), it will undoubtedly save a life or two. This is definitely a hot item, so don’t wait to purchase.
Alternative: If a loved one simply wants a smartwatch and isn’t smitten with the plethora of features from the Series 7, check out the Fitbit Versa 3. It's packed with features and comes with a cheaper price tag than the Apple Watch.
For all of you reading this during the “oh shit, I waited too long” period, don’t worry, we have you covered. Go virtual, but skip the gift card.
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