How to Plan Your Holiday Shopping to Actually Enjoy It

25 December 2018

Christmas is just around the corner and you still haven’t bought any presents, picked out the meals you are going to prepare or even haven’t decorated your home? It’s no wonder why you stress about the holiday shopping every year then if you always leave the shopping for the last day.

If this is you, you’re probably wondering how some people keep a smile on their face even though the lines at the supermarket are enormous, people are generally stressed and unpleasant as your life descends into chaos.

The answer is simple: planning!

Holiday shopping doesn’t need to be stressful or painful. It can be a walk in the park if you know how to plan everything and make sure you’ve checked everything off your to-do list.

So get an app like Blink the Bee and get ready to take notes – we’ll show you how to make the most out of your holiday shopping.

Contents

1 Think About the Gifts First
2 Make a Holiday Shopping List (And Stick to It)
3 Pick a One-Stop Shop
4 Remember the Things You Are Likely to Forget
5 Be Done With Shopping

Think About the Gifts First

The biggest expense on any holiday shopping list are the gifts, especially if you have kids you don’t want to let down. Chances are you already know what they want for the holidays as they have been nagging you about that new toy or video game for months.

Fortunately, you can find these at a lot of stores and online, just make sure to order it in time or your kids will be left empty-handed.

Make a Holiday Shopping List (And Stick to It)

The gifts are just the tip of the Christmas tree you need to climb as the holiday approaches. If you haven’t done your holiday shopping yet, chances are you’ve forgotten about a lot of Christmas essentials. So make sure you leave a note in your virtual online assistant so you don’t forget about any of these categories:

Decorations: Get those holiday decorations for your home, both for the indoors and the outdoors.

Food: Know what you will be cooking? Make sure to write down all the ingredients so you don’t forget anything.

Dinner Essentials: There’s more to a family holiday dinner than the food. Make sure you don’t forget about the drinks, napkins or extra plates.

Gifts: You’ve already picked out the gifts? Great! Now don’t forget to get the wrapping paper, holiday cards, and ribbons to wrap them up.

Traditions: Don’t forget about advent calendars, picture books or Christmas socks.

Pick a One-Stop Shop

Got the list written down? Good, now it’s time to do some shopping. The best and quickest way to do this is to find a store that has everything you need in one place. Whether it’s a giant supermarket or a mall, not having to navigate through the holiday traffic jams will save a lot of time and nerves.

Remember the Things You Are Likely to Forget

There is nothing worse than having gone through your holiday shopping only to realize you forgot something when you come back home. Whether it’s batteries for your holiday decorations, wrapping paper or dinner napkins, make sure to write down all the items you are likely to forget on a separate list so you don’t miss anything on your first shopping run.

Be Done With Shopping

Once you’ve shopped for everything that was on your list, be done with it. It might be tempting to visit a shop again just in case you’ve missed something, but try to avoid the temptation and enjoy the holidays with your family without any stress of being lured into one-time deals on things you’ll never need.

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Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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The Clever Consumer’s Guide to Shopping Online

Over the past decade, the way in which we shop has completely changed. More of us now shop online, buying everything from our groceries, clothes, home appliances and smartphones from online stores. Statista estimates that 2.14 billion people will shop online by 2021, a huge increase from the 1.79 billion online shoppers in 2018 and the 1.32 billion who purchased goods online in 2014. Shopping online offers greater convenience as we can buy goods from the comfort of our couches instead of braving the cold weather to head to the shops. In some cases, there are also goods that can only be purchased online because of stock issues at physical stores, or because they just don’t sell that particular item. However, just because shopping online is easier than buying things in-person, that doesn’t mean that you should stop doing your due diligence when it comes to selecting products to buy and where you buy from them. You still want to get the best deals and offers and the best quality products. So, to help you achieve that, read our guide to being a clever consumer when you shop online. The Clever Consumer’s Guide to Shopping Online: Shop Around: When you shop online, it can be very easy to be tempted by the first offer that you see. If you see a price that suits your budget, or an offer of “free shipping,” you may feel inclined to order right away. But don’t just order immediately, instead, a file that product listing away in the back of your mind (or add it to your bookmarks) and begin to shop around. The beauty of online shopping is that it’s incredibly easy to compare everything say you want to purchase luxury soft towel online, you can look for tips before buying. Unlike shopping in-person where you would have to call different stores on the phone or visit them in person, a quick Google search will allow you to pull up a list of retailers that sell what you’re looking for. From then, you can quickly compare the prices, the cost of shipping the product, and bonuses (e.g loyalty offers and extra rewards) in order to find the offer that suits you best. Do Your Research: It’s always important to do your research when shopping, but especially online. You don’t want to be stuck with a product that wasn’t as you expected, leaving you feeling disappointed. You just want to be sure that what you’re ordering will be of high quality. The first step in doing your research is to read reviews of that retailer. If the retailer sells brand new products, what do people say about those brands online? Some retailers list customer reviews directly under the products listings, or you could search for the brand name on social media to see what people are saying in real-time (try searching for the URL if there’s nothing recent for the brand name). Doing your research when buying used or refurbished goods, such as refurbished phones and laptops will look a little bit different. You’ll need to learn what seller refurbished means and how that differs from manufacturer refurbished (and vice versa) in order to understand who has refurbished a product and how it has been tested. These terms are commonly found in product listings on online retailers (including Amazon) and so finding out more about refurbished testing processes and how technicians have been trained can be key to getting quality refurbished goods. Double-Check the Returns Policy: Sometimes, even when you’ve done your due diligence and have researched the retailer and have confirmed that it is trustworthy, things still go wrong. This may be due to mistakes during shipping or the manufacturing process. These things happen and they’re unfortunate and disappointing, but if a store has a good returns policy, then you don’t have to worry. Always double-check the returns policy before buying because you’ll want to know that you’re covered in the event that anything goes wrong. Some of the stores with the best return policies include IKEA which is famous for its 365 returns policy which lets you return something for a full refund within a year if you are unsatisfied. Bath & Body Works is also a standout as it has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, offering no limit on when you can return a product. In fact, it even has a price adjustment policy, letting you get some money back if the price of the product is lowered within 14 days of your purchase. Review the Security: Safety is paramount when shopping online. You’re placing a significant amount of trust in an online retailer because you’re showing them personal details such as your name, your address and your credit card info. Any time you spend money, you just want to know that your personal and confidential data is protected and will not fall into the wrong hands or be used for anything other than what you’ve consented too. Reading reviews of retailers and doing your research as mentioned above can be a useful tool in this, but you may want to get even more technical given that this is the Internet. Something you can do in that case is to check the retailer’s SSL certificate. An SSL certificate is something that confirms that a website encrypts its data and that it cannot be intercepted by any malicious actors. You’ll know if a site has SSL because you’ll see a padlocked sign next to the URL (website) in the address bar at the top of your browser. The website will also start with the phrase “https” to let you know that it’s secure. Armed with these top online shopping tips, you will be able to find the best prices and deals from the most trusted retailers. So enjoy your shopping and all of your new products. Read Also: How To Save Money When Shopping Online 5 Tips For Finding The Best Web Host For A Fast-Growing Online Store

The Early Bird’s Guide To Big Lots Hours And Deals

Big Lots is the best place to go if you're searching for some amazing bargains! Big Lots is a bargain store that sells everything from food and clothes to furniture and home goods. What are Big Lots hours, though? When does Big Lots close and open? What about federal holidays? This article will address every one of those queries. What Are Big Lots Hours? Image Source America's Big Lots is a retailer. Its main office is in Columbus, Ohio. Big Lots has more than 1400 stores across 47 states. Sol A Shenk founded this retail business nearly 53 years ago. Bruce Thorn is the company's president and chief executive officer, and they primarily served in the United States. Being a large company, Big Lots offers a substantial selection of goods. You can buy almost anything you want there with ease. But first, it's crucial to understand Big Lots' opening and closing times as well as the times at which their merchandise is served. Big Lots is accessible from Monday to Sunday. Although the hours of each Big Lots store may differ, the majority of them are as follows: DayOpening HoursClosing HoursMonday9 AM9 PMTuesday9 AM9 PMWednesday9 AM9 PMThursday9 AM9 PMFriday9 AM9 PMSaturday9 AM9 PMSunday10 AM9 PM However, Big Lots' hours might change or be extended during the holidays. Easter Sunday and Christmas Day are closed for business. Use the Big Lots store locator on their website to learn the hours of operation for the Big Lots store nearest you. To view the store's hours, just enter your location, select the closest location, and click on the store's page. What Are Big Lots Hours On Public Holidays? Image Source Below are the holiday hours that Big Lots will be open in 2022: HolidayOperating HoursBlack FridayOpens at 6 AMChristmas EveRegular operating hoursChristmas DayClosedDay after ChristmasRegular operating hoursLabor DayRegular operating hoursGood FridayRegular operating hoursVeterans DayRegular operating hoursPresidents’ DayRegular operating hoursNew Year’s EveRegular operating hoursNew Year’s DayRegular operating hoursDay Before ThanksgivingRegular operating hoursThanksgivingOpens at 7 AM and remains open up to middayIndependence DayRegular operating hoursMemorial DayRegular operating hoursMartin Luther King DayRegular operating hoursMother’s DayRegular operating hoursFather’s DayRegular operating hoursHalloweenRegular operating hoursTax DayRegular operating hours Please note that Big Lots is closed on the following holidays: Christmas Day Easter Sunday Big Lots Hours On Black Friday Image Source Big Lots is well known for carrying a large selection of products at significant discounts. Contrary to popular belief, discounted prices do not always imply low-quality goods. Big Lots frequently carries name-brand products that it bought at closeout or clearance prices from other retailers. Savings on fantastic products throughout the entire store are the outcome. The Large Bulk Bargain hunters always love Black Friday because of the huge savings on products that make great presents or stocking stuffers. To aid in preparing for the holidays, there are also fantastic discounts on home necessities and holiday décor. There's never been a more affordable way to add holiday flair to your house! Big Lots has a ton of amazing online sales in addition to exclusive in-store discounts on Black Friday. Black Friday deals have been available on appliances, toys, mattresses, furniture, and more. To find the best prices on holiday gifts for your family, make sure to check out the Christmas Gift Shop. Does Big Lots Have A Clearance Sale After Closing Hours? Image Source Big Lots and all department stores have clearance sales. Big Lots holds their clearance sale during business hours, which are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, rather than after closing. There's a store where they sell furniture and clearance items, and depending on the occasion, customers can buy excellent quality items at very low costs. Big Lots Hours For Furniture Image Source Big Lots is a retail outlet for all things needed for the home. It doesn't have different hours for its furniture department, so if you want to buy furniture from any of its stores, you can visit them whenever you want during business hours. Big Lots Hours For Thanksgiving Image Source On Thanksgiving Day, Big Lots stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. It will be offering one-day specials like 50% off toys in addition to a larger assortment of popular toy brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher Price, Vtech, and more. Does Big Lots Have Senior Hours? Image Source Big Lots does indeed have senior hours! It may come as a surprise to many, but Big Lot does have senior hours. This indicates that Big Lots is off-limits to elderly people and people with weakened immune systems from 9 AM to 10 AM. These people have a fantastic opportunity to save money on food, furniture, décor, and other items! There are several reasons why it's significant that Big Lots provides senior hours. First and foremost, it gives seniors the opportunity to shop alone during their free time, away from the stress of a typical store. Seniors can take their time and shop at their own pace during senior hours because it can be difficult for them to stand in line or carry heavy items. Last but not least, Big Lots' senior hours are crucial because they assist the most defenseless. Big Lots is demonstrating its concern for its patrons and desire to ensure that everyone has the chance to shop comfortably and save money by dedicating this hour to seniors. Other Companies With Senior Hours The following businesses also provide senior hours: Target: 7 to 8 AM or from 8 to 9 AM on Tuesdays Costco: 9 AM to 10 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays Walmart: 6 AM to 7 AM Sam’s Club: 7 AM to 9 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays Trader Joe’s: 9 AM to 10 AM every Monday Wrapping Up Big Lots is a great place to get discounts on food, décor, furniture, and other items. You can now schedule your shopping trip appropriately since you are aware of Big Lots hours! It is open Monday through Sunday; however, specific location hours may apply. Furthermore, Big Lots is closed on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. However, Big Lots' hours might change or be extended during the holidays. To find out the hours for this store in your area, we strongly advise using the store locator. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about Big Lots hours, please leave a question below. We would love to hear from you! Learn More About: 7 Tips To Improve Personalized Customer Service Operating Hours: What Time Does Walmart Customer Service Close And Open? Walmart Pharmacy Hours: What Time Does Walmart Pharmacy Close And Open?

Things that Make Sense to Buy Second Hand

As the years go on, many people are becoming more open to the idea of buying things second-hand. People no longer want to go out to buy very expensive items for them to only last about a year. People want to spend their money wisely and have been leaning towards buying good quality items second hand rather than expensive low-quality newer items. As this craze has been picking up you may be surprised by what you can get second-hand. There is a whole world full of second-hand items that that you may not even be aware of, this article will show you some of the most surprising ones that will save you some money. Surprising Items that You Can Get Second-Hand: Ice Skates: One surprisingly expensive item is Ice Skates. If you are not a professional figure skater you may be surprised to hear that Ice Skates can be so expensive. For those who do skate, many people decide to seek out more cost-friendly options because of the high prices? These Ice Skates can be found at multiple second-hand stores and online. You may even find some ice skates that were never even worn, but if you do find some that have been worn, you have the bonus of not having to break them in! That will surely save you some blistering feet later in your skating life. Bowls: Another surprising thing that can be found second hand for a fair price is bowls. The company Bush Hill Bowls sells second-hand bowls that have stood the test on time and look very new. These second-hand bowls are a great option for people who do not want to spend too much money on new bowls. You can not only get a great deal but still, get great looking bowls that will last you for years to come. These second-hand bowls have a variety of different types and can also be divided between open and used in an open and not used. The bowls also come in many different colors and packages that you can choose from. You don’t even have to go to a second-hand store to find them. All of these bowls can be purchased online and delivered directly to your doorstep. Footballs: Another surprising thing that you can buy a second hand is footballs. You may stop and wonder, why on earth would you need to buy second-hand football? Well, there is actually a huge market out there that specializes in unique and never-before-seen footballs. These footballs can even include some from world cups and ones signed by famous players. These footballs are most likely just to use as a keepsake, rather than actually kicking hem around. These types of second-hand items are more for collectors whose hobby is seeking out and collecting these types of footballs. If you are curious about signed footballs click here to see a sports memorabilia website with tons of signed footballs. Hopefully, this article has introduced you into the yet to be explored the world of second-hand goods. This is just a quick look into the types of items that you can buy, there is really much more out there for you to explore! Read Also: How To Collect Vintage Items Honda Cars In Watertown NY: 8 Things To Check Before Buying A Second-Hand Car