Did You Know?
Holiday Shopping Tips
The holiday season is an exciting time and a great opportunity to see family and friends. But, it is easy to get overwhelmed during the holidays when you are trying to do too much. The holiday season can add to a cancer patient’s overall stress level, compromising the immune system, and making it harder for your body to fight cancer in the most effective way.
Holiday shopping can often be a major cause of stress and anxiety. Read our tips below to help you shop strategically and focus more on enjoying the holiday season this year.
1. Delegate – Learn to ask for help. There are many people in your life that may want to help you on your cancer journey and shopping is a great opportunity to get them involved. Do not be afraid to ask for help whenever possible. The other person will feel respected that you asked him or her for assistance and feel a sense of good when they are able to relieve an area causing you stress.
2. Set a budget – ‘Thoughtful’ does not have to mean ‘expensive.’ Before the holiday season begins, create a budget you are comfortable with and stick to it. Be realistic about how much you can afford and don’t go into debt buying gifts for others. Monitor and keep track of your spending to keep an accurate accounting. Even for the most fiscally minded, holiday spending can quickly get out of hand. Something thoughtful, or even homemade, is invaluable.
3. Make a list – Create a list of everyone for whom you would like to buy gifts. Using the budget you created, divide it up among the names on your list. Then, as you come across ideas of what to buy for specific people, add that to your list. Keep a checklist of what you have purchased to ensure you have an accurate understanding of your holiday shopping.
4. Start early – Do not postpone holiday shopping until the last minute, the earlier you can start, the better. By shopping earlier you have a better selection of gifts to choose from and the ability to take advantage of sales. Last minute shopping puts you in a time crunch and can be very stressful. It is also more expensive to ship your gifts last minute to ensure delivery before the holiday.
5. Be efficient – How many of the items on your list can be purchased at one store or at the same mall? Limiting your shopping trips will help reduce stress as you are not trying to go all over town in a short amount of time. If possible, shop during the week when crowds and lines aren’t as large.
6. Buy duplicates of a good thing – If you see a great gift for a good price, consider purchasing it for more than one person on your list.
7. Be creative – A great gift shouldn’t break the budget. This year, consider drawing names for gifts, especially among the adults in the family. You can even set a dollar limit to relieve additional pressure. You can also give the gift of time instead of buying something – plan a dinner, movie or outing together. Consider gifting something homemade which is invaluable.
8. Give gift cards - If you really want to simplify things, gift cards are a great option. You can find gift cards at most retailers and restaurants. There are even Mastercard and Visa gift cards which can be used anywhere credit cards are accepted. They are quick to buy and easy to send but still offer sweet sentiments to your loved ones while making the shopping much simpler for you. However, be aware of additional charges and expirations associated with gift cards.
9. Shop online – Shopping online offers significant convenience and is a great option if you aren’t feeling well. By avoiding crowds, you are also avoiding people who may be sick or spreading disease like the flu. Often, online shopping may be less expensive than going to the physical store since many sites don't charge sales tax and may even offer free shipping. Also, consider having the gift mailed directly to the recipient instead of standing in line at the post office.
Below are suggested websites that may help if you decide to shop online.
• Websites such as Bizrate, Shopzilla or Froogle are great to use for comparing prices on similar products from thousands of merchants. You can go to any of these sites, type in your product name and you will get pricing results from many different stores. You may also be able to find customer reviews and merchant ratings.
• If you are unfamiliar with a product or the category, you should read some product reviews before ordering. To research what other customers think about a certain item, check out either Amazon or Epinions.
• After you have found the item you want to purchase, take one more step and go to Google, enter the merchant's website name and the word "coupon" or "promotional code." It is possible that you will find a coupon or a discount code to get money off your purchase or shipping costs.
• You can find new or even slightly used gift items at great prices on eBay. But before placing a bid, be sure to confirm that the seller's feedback rating is positive. Use Paypal when checking out to protect your financial information. Paypal offers a Buyer Protection Policy that offers protection if you did not receive an item or it was not as described.
• Etsy is a website that connects you to artists and offers an opportunity to buy (or sell) handmade items including art, photography, clothing, jewelry, edibles, bath & beauty products, toys, etc. It is a great way to purchase a unique gift for someone special if you aren’t crafty yourself.
There are millions of websites that sell gifts and can help make your holiday shopping easier. However, shopping online isn’t with out risk. Abuses including the potential for credit card fraud or exposing your personal financial information is possible.
Follow a few simple rules to enjoy the benefits of online shopping:
• Shop with merchants you know.
• Understand the total cost which can include the purchase price, shipping, handling and sales tax.
• Use a credit card which under federal law protects your liability from unauthorized charges.
• Make purchases with one credit card and a low credit limit, offering you additional protection.
• Review your online credit card statement frequently to check for any unexpected charges.
• Keep good records including website, product, total price, shipping date and other transaction details.
Take time now to plan well and ease into the holidays with less stress. Remember, the time you spend with family and friends, the love you give, and the enthusiasm you share is the best gift that you can give your loved ones.