Ten Great Places To Do Last-Minute Christmas Shopping
Author: Nick
Category: Money
Topics: gifts
Reader Jack W. writes in about a dilemma of his that I’m sure will strike many holiday shoppers this year.
I don’t love my friends and family enough to start my Christmas shopping before Dec. 21st. On top of that, I’m really lazy so I don’t like to be out of the house more than 2 hours a month. Can you give me some tips on how I can get my last-minute gift shopping done with a minimum of hassle and dollar outlay? Thanks a lot!
Thanks for writing, Jack, and I hope you don’t mind me slightly rewording your e-mail to make you look like a mean old grinch.
The problem of last-minute Christmas shopping has plagued the human race for tens of thousands of years. Ever since Noah forgot to pick up a gift for his wife before hopping on the ark (he had to settle for giving her unicorn steaks from one of the two on board which explains why they’re not around anymore), people have been scrambling at the eleventh hour to check off those last few folks on their holiday shopping lists. In recent years, it seems this minor pinch has escalated into an epidemic, and now crowding shopping malls on December 24th is fast becoming standard holiday procedure.
But with a little advanced planning (and I do mean a little; if you were capable of a lot of planning, you’d have your Christmas shopping done on November 1st), you can save yourself a lot of suffering and line-standing-inning. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the easiest and best places you can score last-minute holiday gifts that won’t bust your budget or make it look like you totally forgot the other person until 8pm on Christmas Eve.
- The internets. Depending how last-minute we’re talking, you may be able to finish off your shopping list with a few quick trips to online retailers like Amazon.com or Bonsai Kittens. You may have to bite the bullet and pay for overnight shipping, and be careful about checking for retailers’ shipping deadlines.
- Gift specialty stores. You know those stores that pop up right after Halloween to cash in on Christmas gift sales? You can actually pick up some decent last-minute gifts at those things as they tend to keep their shelves stocked well leading up to the holiday. Personally, I like those sausage logs from Hickory Farms; give me one of those and I’ll be happy for hours.
- Museum gift shops. Sure, you could give them the gift of an actual trip to the museum, but that would require committing to a time investment in the future. You don’t love these people that much, so get the next best thing by spending $27 on a t-shirt that says “I went to the National Art Gallery instead of the shopping mall, so all you get is this lousy t-shirt.”
- Antique malls. When all the new and exciting gifts have been wiped out on store shelves, it’s time to turn to old and crappy. Antique gifts are especially appropriate for older folks who may mistake them for newer items. Some great antique gift ideas include record players, dishware, classic magazines and comic books, and butter churns.
- Sporting goods stores. Sure, you could get your soccer balls and jock straps a bit cheaper at Wal-Mart, but then you’d have to wait in those horrific lines and deal with cashiers who didn’t get past the third grade. Invest a bit of money in your sanity and stick to the smaller sports equipment retailers to satisfy the all-stars in your family. You know, the ones you almost forgot.
- Liquor stores. It’s certainly at the top of my Christmas wish list. Wait, it’s at the bottom. Edit! EDIT!!!
- Drug stores. It’s 11pm on December 24th and not much is still open. Fortunately it’s your local CVS or Rite Aid to the rescue with great gift ideas like store-brand cosmetics and six aisles worth of adult diapers.
- 24-hour supermarkets. If you’re lucky, there may still be a few gift cards hanging on a checkout display. If you’re not… just grab anything edible, drop it in a shopping basket, wrap the whole thing in cling wrap, and call it a holiday gift basket.
- Chinese takeout joints. Nothing says “I love you, but I suck” this holiday season like a large order of General Tso’s Chicken. Don’t forget the seasonal fortune cookies with witty prognostications like “Your grandma will get run over by a reindeer” and “You will receive a lame Christmas present.”
- Your basement. When all else fails, you can always take to the cellar and hunt down any never-used Christmas presents and do a bit of regifting. Just make sure you pull off the Ames department store tags since they’ve been closed since 2002.
You can also make your own gift for the almost-forgotten people in your lives. Here are some awesome last-minute Christmas gifts anyone can make:
- A trip to the ATM machine for cash
- A new iPod (requires one old iPod and an excuse about where the box went)
- Fruit cake, except substituting money and cash for the fruit and cake
Now all those people you barely love will never know just how little you care about them. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Loading ...
54 Responses »
1.
Mrs. Micah
December 4th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
What about “adult” stores? I see plenty of those around. They say they even sell toys–wouldn’t that be perfect for Christmas?
(can that be a wide-eyed, innocent smiley?)
2.
Matt Wolfe
December 4th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Those are some great suggestions. It seems to me like every year I find myself ordering something online and having it overnight shipped to me because I didn’t think far enough in advance. That’s not the most frugal way to do things. This year I’m planning ahead. (Like Ordering on December 22)
@Mrs. Micah – There’s an “adult store” right near my work that has a sign outside that says, “give the gift of seduction for Christmas.” That sounds like a wonderful gift idea… Co-workers maybe?
3.
Mrs. Micah
December 4th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I don’t know what this “seduction” is, but I have to get one for my boss!
4.
Fiscal Musings
December 6th, 2007 at 9:12 am
I’m all about number 10: Your Basement. From wedding gifts and other random things, you can definitely find something. And you may actually make somebody’s day.
5.
Clever Dude
December 6th, 2007 at 9:32 am
I wonder if anyone on our list needs a toaster oven. We have 2 boxed ones left from our wedding 4 years ago.
6.
Mrs. Micah
December 6th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
I have 4 sets of measuring cups–perhaps I could give three of those to friends. (My mom has some friends who wanted to make sure I’d be ok in the kitchen.)
7.
Jessica Bennet
December 17th, 2007 at 5:54 am
Hi Nick,
This is an interesting post!
Indeed Christmas shopping is something that we look forward to. Shopping online at sites like the Amazon and eBay are great as there’s a lot of special offers given to shoppers online.
However, if one is shopping at stores, he can avail gift vouchers and use them for more than one store. Whatever you do and wherever you shop, the crux is not to exceed your budget and while you plan for the celebrations, you might check out with the 51 tips and more for a happy Christmas at http://www.mortgagefit.com/budgeting/51tips-christmas.html .
Merry Christmas in advance!
8.
Free Loader | UK Freebies
October 16th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Ha I like the basement idea, although if it gets to that point maybe you need to be a little bit more organised next Christmas, lol
Another idea, could be to pre-order a Christmas hamper and give them something out of that haha.
9.
Turquoise Pashmina Shawl
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:20 am
I think the January sales are going to start sometime in November given the way the economy is going.
10.
Christmas carols
November 5th, 2008 at 4:07 am
Last minute Christmas shopping is not a good idea, so start your shopping before 10 days. online shopping is best idea for last minute shopping..
11.
RC Helicopter Toy
December 10th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
That’s right, the internets! Number one!
12.
Replica Watches
April 14th, 2009 at 5:43 am
there may still be a few gift cards hanging on a checkout display. If you’re not… just grab anything edible, drop it in a shopping basket, wrap the whole thing in cling wrap, and call it a holiday gift basket.
13.
Sofia- Free ads
April 14th, 2009 at 5:45 am
When all the new and exciting gifts have been wiped out on store shelves, it’s time to turn to old and crappy. Antique gifts are especially appropriate for older folks who may mistake them for newer items. Some great antique gift ideas include record players, dishware, classic magazines and comic books, and butter churns.
“About Antique malls”
14.
gifts online
April 21st, 2009 at 6:47 am
Yes, I think online shopping for gifts is a unique idea. Thanks for your pointers, it’s nice.
15.
Vermont Wedding
April 4th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
I still prefer going to malls for my last-minute shopping. Online shopping, it’s good but nah it takes sometime to receive the item.
16.
White Shawl
June 15th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
There’s nothing worse than the rush at malls during the festive season. I prefer to just pick up presents that I think people will like when I see them throughout the year. Especially when there’s a sale!
17.
computer freezing
June 18th, 2010 at 11:35 am
Wow very clever ideas you’ve got here. Some people just hate panic buying and the Christmas rush nearing the 25th. Well, it’s still a few months away but I’ll be remembering your advice here. Thanks for incorporating this list.
18.
MissSapphire
July 1st, 2010 at 3:54 am
The last Christmas I got a gorgeous brooch from my fiance. It’s so beautiful, I wear it every special events!
19.
MissSapphire
July 1st, 2010 at 11:48 am
I think online shopping it is a comfortable way to buy a gift, but sometimes I don’t have enough time to wait for the shipping. I like the antique malls, there I can find things carrying personality, if I can say so, because they bring a certain atmosphere of the era they were made.
20.
Investment Mortgage
July 28th, 2010 at 6:19 am
Cool read.
Its so true though with all the regular mortgage payments and bills its hard to imagine preparing weeks early to buy gifts for alot of people at chrissy time!
Go the online shopping!
Matt
21.
John Nio
September 20th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Hi,
I think your content is good at all. But it’s not easy to find your blog in search engine.
You should optimize it more to get a higher position in Google and Yahoo especially. So more people will find your site and enjoy it.
Hopefully this can be a good input for you. Keep spirit!
22.
mens ties
November 15th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
yes, some times we dont have time or we need something urget and these places are perfect to do last minute shopping .
23.
susanjns
November 22nd, 2010 at 12:33 am
This is a good post. This post give truly quality information.I’m definitely going to look into it.Really very useful tips are provided here.thank you so much.Keep up the good works
full version software
24.
full version software
November 28th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
good!!!
25.
susanjns
November 28th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
That’s right, the internets! Number one!
full version software
26.
دلع نجد
November 30th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Merci pour le bénéfice article utile et merveilleux Vhaknahnak
27.
グッチ ネックレス
December 2nd, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Merci pour le bénéfice article utile et merveilleux Vhaknahnak
28.
توبيكات
December 19th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
I wish to thank you for this wonderful information
29.
Shanty Claush
December 20th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
If you are like my mother, you don’t even need to go christmas shopping. She buys loads of decorations and stuff that she never opens! She does go christmas shopping 10 months in advance but still, if she became sick and she couldn’t go to the store, a little trip to her storage furnitures would do the trick.
30.
Stephen
December 29th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Gift registries are always a great place to start. One of my friends for Christmas set one up for her family. Everyone put in what they wanted (At a price limit of course) and then they raffled the names off for a Christmas surprise on who got who. It worked, though she had a large family compared to others…
31.
Flowers delivery UK
February 1st, 2011 at 2:12 am
Wow great tips for last minute shopping as busy schedule not let us shop .Last minute only we get time for shopping.Thanks for sharing such a great post.as these places we can go for last minute shopping.
32.
Matt
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:41 pm
The internet is my favorite. For super-last-minute, go to Amazon.com and print out or email a gift certificate – where else can you buy and deliver a gift on Christmas morning? Plus, Amazon carries just about everything so it would always be wanted!
Matt writes about Child Behavior problems and solutions
33.
zara
March 25th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
http://www.vibramfivefingershoes2011.com/
34.
دردشة عراقية
March 27th, 2011 at 9:40 am
Gift registries are always a great place to start. One
35.
haiying
April 12th, 2011 at 3:25 am
http://www.mylouisvuittonoutlet-sale.com/
36.
xx
April 27th, 2011 at 2:42 am
http://www.coachpursestores.com/
37.
zara
May 14th, 2011 at 3:27 am
http://www.burberrybags-store.com/
38.
http://healthcareguide4u.com/
May 17th, 2011 at 1:18 am
http://www.likeswisswatches.com
39.
tcbyf
June 14th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
It is amazing to see many shipping stores.
Thank you for share this informaiton.
PANERAI LUMINOR MARINA PAM111 SWAN NECK REPLICA WATCH
40.
burberry outlet
July 28th, 2011 at 6:11 am
thank you for sharing,this information is useful to me.good qualit
41.
شات صوتي
August 2nd, 2011 at 7:33 pm
qe http://www.q8motor.com/
42.
سمو المشاعر
August 11th, 2011 at 12:13 am
Hello, I really like how you create comic situation from a harsh reality
43.
jocu-RI cu Masini
September 3rd, 2011 at 12:58 pm
You are the funniest man alive dude, I realy like you
44.
شات مصري
September 15th, 2011 at 7:36 am
mcryh mcryh mcryh
45.
jocu-RI cu Masini
November 1st, 2011 at 10:50 am
I like to read your posts because of those great pictures you draw
46.
Property Marbella
November 3rd, 2011 at 3:31 am
I never do last minutes christmas chopping, it cost to much that way. Property Marbella
47.
معهد
November 21st, 2011 at 8:20 am
I have a presentation that I am presently working on and I have been looking for such information.
التقويم الميلادي 2012
48.
jocu-RI cu Masini
December 1st, 2011 at 5:36 am
Impressive you managed to turn something about money into something funny
49.
دردشة عراق الرومانسية
December 23rd, 2011 at 10:55 am
thank you a lot’s bro
50.
jocu-RI cu Masini
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:35 am
You got some mad writing skills, I hope you will keep writing more articles
51.
replica jewelry
January 25th, 2012 at 11:31 pm
Nice hosting! It’s my first time to read like this article.hdth
52.
شات
January 27th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
thanx this topic very very good
i will spend my time in this site
53.
jocu-RI cu Masini
February 1st, 2012 at 9:19 am
The party is on, you are very got at making fun o serious problems
Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>Trackbacks & Pingbacks
[...] at Punny reminds us of 10 great places to try if you’re Christmas shopping on the 24th. And his wishlist includes a few items I’m sure we’ve all thought [...]
Pingback by Mrs. Micah: Finance for a Freelance Life / On My Own–Roundup — December 5, 2007 @ 10:03 pm