How to Christmas Shop Online

By Lisa Ellis

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Christmas is almost here. If you still have lots of gifts to buy but your time and your budget are limited, plan to Christmas shop online. With some careful searching, you can find lots of great gifts from the comfort of your home and never have to wait in any lines. Read on to learn how to Christmas shop online.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Computer with Internet access
  • PayPal account or credit card
  • Catalogs from online stores
  • List of gift recipients
  • Address book

Step1
Start with a list of people for whom you need to buy gifts.
Step2
Come up with a few websites that will likely have items that will appeal to multiple recipients. When having items shipped to you, try to group as many as you can together to get the best delivery rate.
Step3
Do a keyword search, or browse the site, to find some possibilities.
Step4
Check for colors, sizes and availability.
Step5
Take advantage of the price sorting option that some websites offer, so you can quickly narrow in on items specifically in your target price range.
Step6
Search clearance sections for special buys. If you find an especially good deal on something nice but generic, order a few extras to have on hand for last-minute gift needs.
Step7
Factor in the price to have gifts wrap and delivered to the recipient.
Step8
Find out about any shipping promotions or other special offers. Also a search online for promotions or other discount codes you can apply toward your purchase.
Step9
Read about the website’s return policy and satisfaction guarantee before you place your order.
Step10
Have recipients’ addresses and phone numbers handy, so you can enter all of the key information to place your order.
Step11
Use your credit card or PayPal account to pay for your purchases. Keep track of what you spend so you won't be surprised when the bills come in.
Step12
Look for last-minute deals. As it gets closer to the holidays, some stores will lower prices to try to generate additional purchases and may even often a free upgrade to faster shipping. This can result in real savings for buyers.

Tips & Warnings

  • Shop early enough to allow adequate time for delivery. When shopping right before Christmas, if the store isn't offering any shipping specials, be prepared to pay extra to get items to their destination in time.
  • To save money, consider skipping the gift-wrapping option. Most gifts are delivered in a shipping box anyway and can have a personal gift message included at no extra charge. This is an easy way to save money without cutting back on the quality of your gift.
  • Only shop at sites that take steps to protect your privacy and credit card information. Otherwise, you can be opening yourself up for future problems.

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eHow Article: How to Christmas Shop Online

eHow Member: Lisa Ellis

Lisa Ellis

Novice Novice | 0 Points

Category: Holidays & Celebrations

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