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Step 1
Determine how much money you can afford to spend on the remaining Christmas gifts you need to purchase. Create a budget that you will stick to no matter how much you are tempted to overspend. Create a budget that allows you to purchase gifts only using cash rather than credit.
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Step 2
Make a list of everyone who still needs a gift so that you can decide how much money you will spend on each gift. Use your budget to determine how you will distribute the money you have available for Christmas gifts. You might decide to spend more money on some people on your list than others.
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Step 3
Make time for a few preparations before heading out for a long day of shopping. Place your shopping money in your wallet or purse. Dress for comfort, not for style, if you are going to be shopping for hours. Take a bottle or two of water with you so you can stay hydrated until your next meal.
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Step 4
Drive to your local department stores or super centers. You can save time by shopping in stores that offer something for everyone in one stop. Decide which stores are most likely to have a gift in every category, from children's clothes and toys to jewelry and electronics.
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Step 5
Purchase extra Christmas accessories while shopping. Buy some all-purpose Christmas cards in case you need to send a card at the last minute. Purchase extra Christmas wrapping paper, name labels, tissue paper, shipping or packing and wrapping tape and Christmas gift bags. Stock up so that you do not need to make any unnecessary trips back to town when you start preparing your gift packages.
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Step 6
Prepare mentally for the probability of facing long lines. Last-minute Christmas shopping usually results in long waits to check out. If you know this before heading to that checkout line, you are less likely to become frustrated and annoyed. Take a book or magazine with you to read while you stand in line.
