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The Savvy Shopper: Start Now
Posted by Jeff in Christmas Ideas
With the heat of summer bearing down on most of us it is difficult to think Christmas. But retailers don’t want you to know that they strategize year round to play a game of gotcha with your wallet come fall. Every season has its high point and Christmas gears up for profit in September — and that makes just about any other time — NOW! — a better time to do your Christmas gift buying. Here are some tips:
Make your list, Check it twice
How much gift giving do you do? How much do you have to do? After all, these are tough times. Your generosity just might be putting the squeeze on a loved one or close friend who might feel obligated to reciprocate your gift giving nature. Are these the best times for this kind of practice? Do you really need to participate in every gift exchange? Now is the time to take inventory of it. Talk about it now, while the glow of Christmas lights are far away. You may find your list a little shorter this year with a little proactive planning right now.
Dream, Dream, Dream
What will be the hot thing this Christmas? Start asking around right now. Just this week Microsoft made waves with a new product called Kinect which is a motion sensing camera attached to an Xbox gaming system. Big deal, you say? It might not be a big thing to YOU but it got a lot of buzz via Facebook and in the media this past week. And in just a few short days it has already been identified as one of the must-have gifts for Christmas 2010.
What does this mean for you?
It means you’ve got to plug in, tune in and turn on the media to find out what the deal is for Christmas. Many folks — especially kids — want the “in” thing. Now is the time when that buzz builds. Often, these items are impossible to find come Christmas. Sometimes your only shot at them is to get them before Labor Day. Pre-ordering through Amazon, for example, is a great way to beat the holiday rush — or the holiday out-of-stock situation. Ask anyone trying to buy an iPhone a couple years ago. Listen well and act fast, Savvy Shopper.
Strike while the iron is hot
Retailers love Christmas. They love Thanksgiving, Halloween and Back-to-School time. But they hate June and July. They detest those months because nobody has much of a reason to buy. After all, folks are drenched in sunscreen and thinking vacation right now. And that means opportunity for the Savvy Shopper. Malls are not only air conditioned but they are empty — and full of bargains. On some purchases retailers are so desperate for sales they just might barter a bit with you. What have you got to lose?
There is a lot of wisdom to beating the Christmas rush. And nothing beats it better than getting it done now.
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