Stay Ahead of the Holiday Rush: Smart Shopping Strategies for the Season

As the leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp, it's a gentle reminder that the holiday season is just around the corner. For many, this time of year ignites a flurry of excitement and a touch of anxiety about the impending gift-giving rush. 

But fret not! With a bit of planning, you can glide through the holiday season like a pro. Let's break it down to ensure your gift-giving this year remains joyous rather than overwhelming.

1. Start Purchasing Your Gifts

Once October hits, it’s time to start planning out when and where you’ll purchase the gifts that you’ve decided to get for your friends, family, and coworkers. By planning ahead, you’ll have a less stressful November and December.

During this time, focus on buying non-perishable gifts like jewelry, candles, and bath and body items. You can also snap up sneaky discounts that vendors offer in the lead-up to Black Friday.

Feeling overwhelmed already? Focus on 1-2 people on your list each week. And if you’re getting anything in multiples — like a self-care kit for your aunt, your daughter, and your best friend — get them at the same time to reduce unnecessary trips to the store.

This approach helps you spread your money (and shopping energy) over time so you don’t feel burned out and stressed by Thanksgiving. As a result, you’ll have the time and energy to make more thoughtful gift selections, and your future self will thank you.

2. Sales Research & Stock Management

By late October, it’s time to be strategic with your purchases. Ideally, you’ve already subscribed to the email lists of the companies from whom you’re planning to purchase, and you’ve already mapped out what gifts you’re getting.

(If these tips are new, check out our previous posts in this series where we guide you through how to set your holiday shopping budget, brainstorm and research gifts for your loved ones, and select ethical options for common holiday gifts.)

During this time, it’s also important to keep an eye on the stock of high-demand items. If you sense an impending shortage, don’t wait — purchase them sooner rather than later. Once high-demand items are out of stock, it can be weeks (or even months) before you’ll be able to get them again.

3. Black Friday & Cyber Monday Prep

While we have atypical views on Black Friday and Cyber Monday compared to much of the retail industry, we acknowledge that it’s a big shopping week for most people. You know the discounts or special offers are coming, and you’re ready to get your shopping done.

In general, we advocate shopping for ethical options for holiday gifts where possible. Reserve Black Friday and Cyber Monday for just a few key items that you’ve been monitoring. Create a dedicated shopping list ahead of time so you don’t get overwhelmed by unexpected deals and spend more of your budget than you’d planned. You can even create a dedicated Black Friday wishlist so you’re ready to buy the items once the sales hit.

And, where possible, shop from certified B Corps, or small, locally-owned businesses. Many of them also offer stellar Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, too. When you shop at a certified B Corp, you’re investing in a company that has demonstrated a commitment to creating a better planet, to helping the community, and to compensating their employees fairly. 

When you shop at small, locally-owned businesses, you’re keeping your dollars inside your community, and you can often find unique items that you wouldn’t ever be able to find from a big-box store.

[Related: Ethical Options for Common Holiday Gifts]

Sleigh your holiday shopping

Sometimes, holiday shopping can feel never-ending. But by being proactive during October and November, you’ll find yourself in a much more relaxed state as the holidays arrive. Not only will your shopping burdens be lighter, but you’ll have more bandwidth to enjoy the festivities. 

You’ll be able to get your tree up earlier, enjoy hot cocoa in front of the fire, and binge all the new holiday movies on your favorite streaming service, calmly, peacefully. All because you don’t have to worry about doing your holiday shopping last-minute.

[Shop Holiday Favorites] | [Shop Stocking Stuffers]

Other posts in this series:

• Part 1: Set Your Budget & Determine Who You’re Shopping For
• Part 2: Brainstorming Gifts, Doing Your Research, and Creating Itemized Lists 
• Part 3: Ethical Options for Common Holiday Gifts