With the mad rush leading up to Christmas, it’s never too early to start shopping for gifts, especially if you don’t want to spend a fortune. But how do you get the Christmas presents your loved ones want while staying on budget? Here are a couple of tips to help you get the best Christmas gifts while saving big.
WHAT’S HOT FOR CHRISTMAS 2010?
So you’ve decided to get started early on your Christmas shopping, but sometimes it can get a little overwhelming trying to decide what the new hot toys and tools are that your friends and family will most enjoy.
Never fear! I’ve scoured the Internet to find some of the latest and most fun gadgets and toys for both kids and adults.
For him: Of course, everyone has been hearing a lot about the Apple iPad and the iPhone, so those are always safe bets if the man in your life is really into technology. But for a slightly different spin (or if your guy is more of a PC than a Mac), how about going for an Android smartphone? For a low cost option, try the Augen 7″ Color Touch Screen Tablet PC, available from Kmart.com.
For her: If your girlfriend, mom or sister is into high-tech beauty, you might want to check out the ghd brand of professional hair styling tools which has been buzzing around the top Internet beauty sites. The versatile ceramic iron not only works to straighten hair but also to create beautiful curls and waves, and there are tons of great styling products to make sure your hair gets the best attention. And there’s a how-to DVD included! Check it out at Buy.com.
For the kids: While Barbies will never go out of fashion, the Moxie Girlz dolls are definitely making a splash everywhere with their sassy style and accessories! Here’s a great way to save money while giving your child hours of fun and lots of options – the Moxie Girlz Magic Hair Head Gamez Doll from Kmart.com, which includes two extra ‘pop-on’ heads so it’s like having three dolls in one!
If you’re looking for something both younger and older kids will enjoy, the latest Nintendo DSi XL portable gaming system is a great way to have games on the go! The popular Brain Age learning software is pre-installed, and with bigger screens and a camera included it’s a great way for friends and family to join in. Abt Electronics has a great selection in lots of fun colors.
Great ways to save on your Christmas purchases
It’s possible to get great Christmas gifts without blowing your budget or racking up credit card debt! Check out some of these suggestions to help you maximize the savings.
- A sale’s a sale: Don’t just wait for last-minute Christmas sales! If you see great deals for the items you want to buy during Halloween sales or even earlier, you can space out your purchases so you can stay on budget, instead of making one giant present run.
- Get clipper-happy: Don’t discount the value of coupons, especially for online purchases – check out pages like Slickdeals.net and RetailMeNot for some ideas. Or look out for retailers with everyday deals like free shipping.
- The gift card that keeps on giving: Gift cards are a really terrific way to stay on budget, along with making sure that your loved ones will always get what they want and need. Plus, they are much more convenient than giving cash since they can be used online, especially if you choose git cards from retailers that carry a wide variety of products. They’re also a great way to preload cash for contractors and other service providers you’ve worked with throughout the year.
- Check out the trendspotters: There are lots of sites dedicated to sniffing out the best prices and the latest trends for toys, electronics, beauty and so on, so browse through these early on to make sure you’re not stuck buying hot items at premium prices as the Christmas shopping madness begins. Try a site like TheBigToyBook.com or a big retailer like Sears.com to get great ideas!
- Pay in cash: Credit card interest fees can be a killer on your wallet, especially if you’re going to be making a large number of Christmas purchases. Avoid them by paying in cash, as even online you can find great secure cash payment options, some of which even offer rewards such as cash back.
