Thanks to our world of technology, the whole world of shopping is literally at our fingertips. And with the threat of coronavirus still lingering around what better way to do our Christmas shopping right from the comfort of our own homes.
Many stores are beginning to open their doors now for shoppers and soon the store aisles, as we know them, will be crowded and hectic but there is still a margin of safety that needs to be kept in place.
Things have changed a lot in the past few months and I wonder how many of us couldn’t even imagine what life would be like without the convenience of shopping on the internet? It did not take long to find out what it was like not being able to shop inside the local malls and stores.
So below is a handful of tips that might be of importance to the online Christmas shopper, making the experience a smooth and pleasant one, especially now that so many are buying online.
Online Christmas Shopping Tip #1: Be prepared
Start shopping with a complete list. This will save both time and money. With most online stores, you pay a flat shipping fee and in many cases, the shipping is free. Before you commit to buying from one store, shop around and compare prices on both the product availability and the shipping terms.
Online Christmas Shopping Tip #2: The early bird gets the gift
If you want to get the best selection, begin your holiday shopping early. Internet stores generally carry large quantities of every item, but they can sell out, especially during these unusual circumstances. As Christmas draws near, it becomes more difficult to find the exact item that you’re looking for. The phrase “SOLD OUT” has been seen a lot lately so start early.
Online Christmas Shopping Tip #3: Shop Safe
When ordering anything online, check product reviews if available. Always shop secured websites when entering credit card information, or banking information, for payment. You don’t want your financial information accessed by anyone else, which is why secured websites let you know how they protect your data.
Online Christmas Shopping Tip #4: Wrap it up
If you’re like most, there’s not a lot of extra time around the holidays. If you need to save some time on wrapping, most online stores offer a gift-wrapping service for a small fee. At some point during the ordering process, you may be asked if you would like to add a gift wrap or a name tag. It’s as easy as the click of a button, which is much easier than trying to tie the perfect bow. If shopping early (tip #2) then there is plenty of time to wrap your gifts.
Online Christmas Shopping Tip #5: Check Delivery Dates
When placing your order, check to make sure that the item is in stock or will be delivered in time for Christmas. Many times, especially near the holidays, items will go on a backorder status. It’s not uncommon for an advanced order item to have a delivery date of January, so be sure to check the status of the items in your shopping cart, along with their expected delivery dates. Also, a good idea to check on the company’s shipping policy and delivery time for in-stock items.
Online Christmas Shopping Tip #6: Christmas Cards?
With all the stuff going on in December it’s easy to forget to send out Christmas cards to family and friends. But if you forget to send traditional Christmas cards in time all is not lost. In fact, there are some great sites and services online that will send Christmas cards for you (saving you time). You can find services that are both free and paid, and services that send both digital and traditional paper Christmas cards. Starting early with buying cards and addressing them a couple of months ahead of time helps to have a stress free holiday.
