even though you might not be an online shopper, but doing some research online before you head into the stores really help 🙂

Online shopping is my secret weapon, better selection at a fraction of retail prices.

Research online to find the best price, buy things when they are a good deal even if it isn’t time for Christmas (i.e. if you see something on sale in April that would work as a gift, buy it then if you have the funds), support local artists/artisans (you can get something unique and often their prices are reasonable).

My stress-free holiday shopping tip: To avoid clutter, give gifts that involve experiences, like concert tickets, airfare, etc. In Vancouver, most of us have relatively little space in our homes, so anything that occupies space should be carefully contemplated – my philosophy anyway.

Re the other question: For travel and services, I purchase online, and for goods, I usually prefer in person (unless I see an excellent deal).

As an aside, I can hardly believe the recommendation to spend 1.5% of your income on holiday spending! (I know it’s cast as an upper limit, rather than an imperative, but still.) I can’t believe that’s a good use of funds for most people. But if you do, then you definitely want to make sure that the money is spent thoughtfully on items and experiences that are enjoyable and useful.

Redeem credit card points for gift cards to various stores. Use those gift cards to purchase presents and consider the gifts virtually free!

to avoid last minute stressful shopping start shopping in January for the next Christmas. Try to have it all done by September so you can relax while everyone else is running around all stressed out.

Use a list and don’t stray from it and buy early for best selection

I like to make gifts IF I know the person receiving it will like it.
Thoughtful gifts are the best gifts:)

Make a list, check it twice.

Do your Christmas shopping as soon as possible (late November or early December) as selection will be better and the crowds will be smaller.

My tip is to buy all year long for Christmas. Start with wrapping paper and bows in January and then continue to buy when you see an amazing price on something that would make a great gift or decoration for the holidays. Keep a list so you don’t forget what you’ve already bought!

Enter contests to win prizes to save money! Do Secret Santa for all your groups this year to save money!

For a stress-free holiday shopping experience, I would suggest:
-doing the shopping well in advance with some online research first for deals
-looking out for further sales/coupons in stores and online
-buying the gifts on Black Friday/Cyber Monday (which may be more stressful but can potentially save you lots of money!)
-finding out what the person likes as gifts to avoid buying the wrong thing and having to return it later
-shopping during the weekdays, to avoid the crowds on the weekends

Check out craft fairs like Make it! and Got Craft? You can get some great gifts that are often very affordable. Also, you support local artists.

A lot of stores will do a one time price adjustment if they put the item on sale later. The timeframe varies from store to store. Buy early, don’t open it, keep the receipts and just go back for price adjustments.

Set a budget and stick to it!
Christmas doesn’t have to be about getting them something expensive or getting the coolest gift, just think of something that has meaning. I find that a small gift with lots of thought and meaning is so much better than a big expensive gift.
Go handmade, or give them an experience. A card saying “I love you and I miss you, lets go for coffee/dinner on me sometime” is a great idea as well.

Reuse gift boxes, bags, wrapping paper and ribbons year to year. Why throw that stuff out? It can be used over and over. Or make your own wrapping from newspaper or fabric.

Also, I am editor for an online publication and we are posting lots of articles right now on how to be Thrifty & Green: http://www.thriftyandgreen.com

I avoid “panic shopping” – that is, waiting until the last minute to shop can lead to over spending. I try to shop early so that I can compare prices both in store and online. I also try to be realistic with my spending and to create a budget. Most importantly, adhere to the budget!

Plan your trip and carry a list. Know which stores to go into, what to get and limit the time you spend browsing randomly. As for the list, put down each person’s name that you want to get a present for and how much to spend.

If you do hit the stores for some serious shopping, take a break for yourself. Staying hydrated is important for the winter season. When you need a break, head for some food but something healthy of course!

I try to shop for gifts locally in our community . It saves on gas and travel time and my nerves !!

I shop early, as in a month or two in advance. I hate crowds at the mall. So if i take my time i can find the perfect item and sometimes it’s on sale and the right size etc. Most stores are good about honoring the refund/exchange till after Christmas if you buy in november.

I personally don’t like shopping online. Shopping in stores is much more fun but can be stressful if there are many people. So I like to do my holiday shopping early, like 1-2 months in advance.

The best advice I have is don’t spend money just for the sake of spending money. The temptation can be to just pick out anything in order to have something to wrap up for someone. But if there is no “perfect” item that you know someone will absolutely love, then it’s better to give an experience, like a home-made coupon that says you’ll take someone out for a fancy afternoon tea, or to a concert.

Shop throughout the whole year. It’s not required to wait until Christmas time to do shopping! Deals and sales exist throughout the year so just keep an eye out.

Shopping online and going to the outlet stores is how I save money on gifts during the holidays.

subscribe to online newsletter from your favourite stores! often time they’ll send you exclusive discount coupons.

Instead of individual gifting – talk to your freinds and family members and give one gift – to an organisation of your choice, help build things such as wells, fund schools and provide health care for those in countries that so desperately need outside help – or give something back to the local community – the choices are endless. Most people don’t want “more stuff” and everyone gets to feel good about what they accomplished.

Shopping at Thrift stores helps with recycling/donations. There are some cool old skool good quality or collectible retro items and treasures to be found! Some things are in brand new condition and thats my budget savvy tip.

timing is everything, there are really good deals online and in-store, so don’t rush to buy what you think you need, retailers have been known to radically drop prices depending on how well the sales season appears to be going. How about that for a run-on sentence? If anyone has recently bought a playbook you will know what I am talking about, 200-300 dollar drop overnight? Makes me question the value of everything we buy.

I pick up gifts throughout the year that way it is not as stressful come December and I can take advantage of great deals throughout the year. I do shopping both on-line and in-store but do more in-store shopping.

Buying for family that live in Australia is a real challenge. I go to websites in Australia and shop online. That way you save on the shipping costs.

In case you really get stuck at the last minute, don’t forget about Amazon online gift certificates! They have saved my life on more than one occasion. Even though they aren’t the most creative gift, there is no stress involved in buying them and they are definitely appreciated by all recipients!

Bake or make gifts – give your time – buy collectively.

Team up with a friend and tackle different stores. You can get a friend who is headed to certain stores to buy certain things for you and vice versa. It’s all about being more efficient at shopping!

i love shopping for local artisan goods. these are quality items made with care by the people in our community. nothing beats that 😀

Look for discount codes for online retailers & buy enough so that the order qualifies for free shipping.

My budget savvy tip this year is that I have talked my extended family into cutting out all the gift giving … well almost all.

We are still exchanging presents for the kids. The adults get instead to enjoy the gift of each other’s company and the delight in watching the kids open presents.

Know what you are going to buy before you go into the store. Get what you want and leave immediately so as not to be tempted with all the sales and Christmas merchandise.

I’d recommend planning ahead of time and shop really early. Don’t want to procrastinate until the last moment to get those holiday gifts. I’d subscribe the e-news from different stores/shops so that I can get in the loop on sales. I’d shop in local stores and little stores/shops where it might be easier to bargain for a good deal on purchases.

Keep on top of those flyers in the newspaper! Compare prices and know which retailers will match advertised prices. That can save you a lot of time too.

I do my research before I leave the house with a few different gift ideas per person. I set a budget to spend per person, and then I leave the house with the list IN HAND! I take breaks while shopping and update my list so I stay on track.

My trick is to shop all year – whenever I see great sales I look for gifts for our immediate family. I also take advantage of deals and discounts that can be found via online shopping only. I’m usually done most of our Christmas shopping by October so I can actually relax during the holiday season and enjoy all the parties without stressing out over shopping for gifts.

UPDATE – The winner is Alex Wyder. Congratulations!