Christmas Gift Shopping Online

Start Your Christmas Shopping Early

Nov 4, 2006 Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

'Tis the season to start your Santa shopping. Doing your Christmas gift shopping online is a speedy, inexpensive, and less stressful way to spread joy around.

Start your Christmas shopping early by surfing Christmas gift shopping online websites. Don't wait until Christmas Eve to elbow through the masses and grab the first thing you see, like a cell phone/espresso machine combination for your grandma (who stopped drinking coffee long ago).

We procrastinate for several reasons, but in this case – speeding towards Christmas with no time to stop for coffee – it’s crucial to motivate ourselves.

Start your Christmas shopping early:

  1. Set mini-goals of 2-3 gifts per week, starting with the people most difficult to buy for (grandparents and parents, bosses and new partners are usually at the top of that list!). Surf Christmas gift shopping online websites early to allow for delivery time.
  2. Pay attention to the conversations and purchases of your loved ones, and use that as a springboard for great gifts. For instance, we accidentally discovered that my in-laws eat at Uncle Albert’s regularly. Gift certificates to favorite restaurants are appreciated and valuable, especially for seniors, who have “everything.”
  3. Surf eBay or other websites for gift ideas and prices – but not for hours, and not for ideas for yourself. Christmas gift shopping online is for them, not you.
  4. Purchase items early – like right now – if you need to send them to people in different cities or countries, or if they are to be sent from the company. Most gift shopping online organizations don't take long to ship orders, but it's better to get it done early.
  5. Remember that procrastinators have depressed immune systems, leading to more attacks of colds and the flu. They also have gastrointestinal problems and insomnia – not a fun way to spend the holiday season! Start your Christmas shopping early.
  6. Don’t obsess about buying the “perfect” gift, because your definition of perfection may be different than your loved ones. Pay attention to hints and Christmas wish lists, sincerely consider preferences and personality, and include the gift receipts for exchanges later.
  7. Communicate your own Christmas wish list; your loved ones may reciprocate, making your – and their – shopping a snap. If you're particularly fond of certain Christmas gift shopping online websites, spread the love!
  8. Research non-traditional gift ideas, such as buying a cow or goat for a family in a third-world country, and give the animal in the name of a family member.
  9. Realize that procrastinators have more stressful relationships in both their personal and professional lives. Putting off the inevitable often leads to tension with the people around you, who may have to shoulder your burden of shopping.
  10. Make a list of people you’d like to shop for; as you make purchases, check off their names – the feeling of accomplishment will spur you on!
  11. Recruit a shopping buddy and be accountable to one another. Set financial and time goals, shop together, brainstorm gift ideas, etc. Share information about Christmas gift shopping online resources.
  12. Reward yourself when you reach your shopping goals: a massage or free day to do anything you want – you deserve it!

Enjoy the holiday season; it’ll be even sweeter when all your Christmas shopping is done.

If you found Christmas Gift Shopping Online helpful, you might like 8 Ways to Reduce Stress & Relax.

The copyright of the article Christmas Gift Shopping Online in Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish Christmas Gift Shopping Online in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.