3 Christmas Shopping Tips to Save More This Season

Christmas is just around the corner and the holidays will be a lot different this year due to COVID-19. The current epidemic is the main reason for existing businesses to move online. If you didn't own a business before the pandemic, starting one seemed like a good alternative source for income during these uncertain times.

With everything that has happened this year, getting into the Christmas spirit might be a little difficult. You probably didn't have the time, resources, and energy to prepare for the holidays—it's been a tough year after all.

Some families practice a "No-Gift" Christmas. This practice usually entails spending time with one another and giving back to charities and people who need it the most. Sometimes, giving gifts is still involved but only to a very select few. The point is to remove material things out of the main focus so we could be more present and really enjoy each other's company.

However, if you're still considering last minute Christmas shopping but don't really know where to start, this article could serve as an ethical guide. Here are three Christmas shopping tips to save more this season!

Buy from Small Businesses

As I mentioned earlier, e-commerce has been skyrocketing like never before. Quarantine has caused the birth of new startups and for existing businesses to move online. There are all sorts of products and services you could avail for right now, and even more options as well. If you have relatives or friends running their own small business, you could show support by buying your gifts from them and letting others know about their online shop. It also really helps to join groups on social media so you could stay updated on whose selling what. This gives you a chance to discover quality and affordable goods nearby.

Gift Collectively

This is for those who have big, close-knit families. Buying presents for each and every family member can be challenging and time-consuming. At times, we even get the wrong shirt size or something completely devoid of usefulness. Unless you're close to everyone, gifting collectively wouldn't hurt. Food is usually the safest yet most perfect thing you could gift to your relatives and their families. I personally love receiving a batch of cookies or homemade jams and spreads that I could share with my siblings and my mom. You could also gift them something they could do together like a board game or card game. If you're looking for gifts for couples in your family or friend group, getting them something matching and functional could be really cute like matching socks or mugs. I also find succulents to be a nice present for it could be something they could care for together.

Get Creative and Go Homemade

There's nothing more fulfilling than making your very own hand-made presents. This is the perfect time to whip up your recipes, put your knitting skills to the test, or learn something totally new. Pinterest is my favorite place to gain inspiration and learn how to make new things. Get your hands dirty and search up DIYs and How-to's. I, for one, have saved a ton of pastry recipes, homemade soap bars, and polymer clay earrings. Almost every post comes with a link or description on how to make these things. If you're more of a visual person, YouTube videos are really helpful and could help you get the job done faster.

Those are my three shopping tips for this holiday season. Stay safe and don't forget to disinfect those gifts and packages as much as possible.

Happy Holidays!