Like so many American holidays, Memorial Day is a great day to shop for deals on big-ticket items such as automobiles, mattresses and furniture. While we at The Organizing Blog would rather be eating hot dogs and barbecue beans, #cleaning the #garage and playing a round of bags, we won’t judge if you shop the long-weekend sales on furniture, outdoor gear and other products. Just remember the cardinal rule of #decluttering when you take delivery: To keep your amount of #stuff from getting unmanageable, get rid of one similar item (or two) for every new item you bring into your home. #MemorialDay
Tag: holiday shopping
Give the Gift of Time
The Organizing Blog regularly espouses the benefits of reducing, reusing and recycling used clothing and household goods, and you can slash waste even as you buy #holiday #gifts for family and friends. Utopia.org suggests a variety of ecofriendly gifts such as a reusable water bottle to cut plastic waste, a donation to an environmental preservation group or planting a tree. But best gift of all this season, the site says, is the gift of time. It’s hard to come by and incredibly valuable, and spending a few hours or sharing a meal with family and friends will make an unforgettable gift. #SustainableShopping
Use a Price Tracker to Find Online Deals
If you’re looking for something specific and don’t want to spend more than necessary, try a price tracker such as CapitalOne Shopping (formerly WikiBuy), Honey or Pricegrabber. Not only will such sites and apps seek out the best offers on the internet, some will also find the latest coupon codes to further reduce the prices paid. Almost any Google product search will also deliver price comparisons to help shoppers check everyone off your list from the comfort of your desk or couch, too. With supply chain issues and the dangers and frustrations that crowded stores bring, you’ll want to buy soon. #ShoppingTips
There’s Still Time to Score a Holiday Deal
Black Friday has come and gone, but there are still deals to be found on gifts as retailers scramble to supply shoppers in time for #Christmas. Amazon is offering “epic” daily deals and relatively reliable shipping times, and deal “trackers” such as TechRadar’s will help make sure you get the best price on that blender, air fryer or gaming console from the big-box stores. Handmade goods specialist Etsy offers a sale page if you’re looking for something a bit more whimsical and personalized, such as socks with your favorite dog’s face printed on them or a custom charcuterie board. #ShoppingTips
Holiday Shopping That Won’t Break the Supply Chain
With supply chain issues affecting shipments of goods at ports worldwide and postal slowdowns in the the U.S., holiday shoppers are eagerly snapping up whatever merch they can get their hands on early in the season.
So far, few of this year’s “it” gift items are selling out — and if Black Friday and Cyber Monday were any indication, supplies of new TVs, voice assitants and other computer-enabled gadgets are meeting strong demand. But things can (and will) sell out.
If you want to satisfy everyone on your list this year, there are several ways to do so while avoiding supply chain issues:
1. Buy consumer goods now. Retailers started the shopping season early to cope with potential supply-chain issues, and regardless if those problems materialize, the best deals will disappear as shopping deadlines approach.
2. Order early to avoid delays. Dec. 11 is the last day certain retailers will guarantee delivery by Christmas due to distribution issues and shipping slowdowns. That’s a full two weeks ahead of the actual holiday, and your Prime membership may not help.
3. Give experiences instead of things. A gift certificate to a cooking class, massage therapist or local restaurant might be a thoughtful gift that doesn’t depend on the U.S. mail to arrive on-time. Digital subscriptions also deliver instant gratification.
4. Buy local, perishable and handmade. Not only will you support people and businesses in your community, but you’ll be able to sidestep any supply chain issues by buying goods and services that are already available locally.
5. Make your own. If you have a knack for sewing, woodworking or some other craft, get creative with your giving. The people on your list will appreciate a one-of-a-kind keepsake that took real effort.
6. Regift and thrift. Quality hand-me-downs make great gifts. If there’s something you own that just doesn’t get the love it would if you gave it to someone on your list, wrap it up and hand it off.
Also consider #decluttering and #donating any lightly used #clothing, household goods and other #stuff you no longer use to ClothingDonations.org. When you #donate used items, they are resold to fund a variety of veterans programs.
The #thrift stores that ClothingDonations.org supplies are a great source of holiday swag and ready-to-gift items, too! #Resale and #reuse is the ultimate in low-impact giving. Happy shopping!