Quick Tips for Last Minute Holiday Shoppers

It's crunch time. Crowds are swamping every retail store and strip mall while anxious children count down the days. So here is an infusion of gift giving wisdom to recharge the batteries of all of you weary, last minute holiday shoppers and keep you motivated as you make your final ascent to the summit ...

CREATE YOUR OWN GIFT SETS ...
Buy in bulk or shop for lots and repackage them into gift sets or gift baskets. This suggestion comes from terrific Seattle online writer Kristina Jensen. In an article on eHow entitled How to Give Christmas Gifts in a Recessionary Economy, she remarks that "Buying Christmas gifts in bulk is cheaper and you can usually get [better] quality products." Savvy eBay shoppers know that some of the best bargains on the net can be found buying wholesale lots on eBay. Many eBay categories have a Wholesale Lots subcategory. Warehouse clubs, discount or liquidation outlets, the clearance sections of chain stores, even the local dollar store are additional sources for decadent treats, unusual products, and cool stuff that can be grouped together to make a gift package fit for the most discriminating family member or co-worker. Think about the gift recipient -- is he or she a chocoholic? A coffee or tea lover? A student? Group the items around a particular theme, add a dash of creative presentation, and ... Ta-Dah -- you're good to go!

SMELL THAT HOLIDAY SPIRIT!
There is a powerful relationship between the sense of smell and human memory. The smell of turkey roasting on Thanksgiving or cookies baking in the oven is bound to bring a flood of childhood memories. Aromatherapy candles and products not only spread holiday cheer, they are known stress reducers. eHow author and expert gift giver Kristina Jensen recommends anything scented with apples, spices, cinnamon or pine. Personally, I find the fragrance of vanilla, citrus, berries, and eucalyptus very festive. By the way, don't limit your eBay searches to a single eBay category. Candles and Candle holders can be found in several different eBay categories including Collectibles, Home & Garden, Health & Beauty, and Crafts. A cautionary note -- some people are extremely sensitive to strong fragrances. If the proposed recipient has a sensitivity to smells or is highly allergic, you might want to try a different track.

THINK GREEN, SAVE GREEN!
Recycling and reusing resources helps the planet and your holiday budget. Green holiday gift giving can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Kristina Jensen offers a range of suggestions for environmentally conscious, cost-saving gift giving. Online greetings cards create no waste. Cut down on the expensive gift wrap and use simple tissue instead. Even better, consider saving and reusing gift wrap, gift bags, and ribbons. Remember how your mom or grandma used to save and reuse gift paper and bows? It turns out they were smarter than you thought! Last but not least, there is regifting. Regifting saves energy, saves precious natural resources, as well as saving money. The key to successful regifting is to think before you give. Ask yourself this question, "Does the regifted gift complement the interests and lifestyle of the proposed recipient?" One of the coolest parts about shopping on eBay is that is not only a great way to clear out all those Christmas presents from years gone by that are gathering dust in a downstairs closet, you can also buy someone else's unwanted holiday gift at a fraction of the retail cost.

GET PERSONAL ...
Personalized gifts are always appreciated. As Kristina Jensen rightfully observes, "Photos are always personal and meaningful." Current or vintage photos of family members, beloved pets, favorite vacation spots, or other shared memories presented in a lovely frame make thoughtful and heartfelt holiday gifts. But you don't have to stop there, we live in an amazing digital universe -- greeting cards, gift cards, T-shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, mouse pads -- you can add a digital photograph, custom colors, and a personal message to almost anything you imagine. eBay is a great source for unique and distinctive photo frames, as well as all manner of personalized gifts.

SAVE TIME AND MONEY BY GIVING GROUP GIFTS ...
Give group gifts, instead of individual gifts. This suggestion comes from frugal gift giving maven strvnwriter (another talented online writer who writes under a screen name). In an article on eHow entitled How to Give Frugal Christmas Gifts, she duly notes that you can save both money and time by buying a single gift for the couples or even entire families on your list. Her recommendations for great couple's gifts include a pair of movie tickets, a bottle of wine and a pair of wine glasses or champagne flutes, or a bag of gourmet coffee and some chocolate spoons. Suggestions for family gifts include a video rental gift card put together in a gift package with microwave popcorn and movie-size candy or a fun family board game. DVDs of family movie classics -- from Shirley Temple to Shrek -- also make great family presents. The Collectibles category on eBay is a fabulous place to shop for vintage, retro, and one-of-kind couple's and family gifts.

GIFT CARD DO'S AND DON'TS ...
strvnwriter insightfully points out that, in general, gift cards and gift certificates can cause a person to spend more money than one might otherwise spend. With a little creativity, a frugal shopper can design a fabulous gift package for $10-$20, but one might be reluctant to give a gift card in such a small denomination. There are exceptions to this rule, however. Gift certificates and gift cards are simple, convenient, perfect for family and friends at a distance, and eminently Green. The key is to choose coupon or certificate for a product or service that the recipient actually uses on a regular basis. eBay has an entire shopping category dedicated to Gift Certificates.

So now that you've gotten your second wind, it's time to update your holiday shopping list (don't forget to keep it simple) and rejoin the fray.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE ... ONE LAST PUSH AND YOU'RE HOME FREE!

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