This Grandma has the life experience of remembering when “brick and mortar” stores controlled and is living through the change to electronic shopping in control. I drive past the mammoth number of strip malls in South Florida and wonder what the landscape will look like when they are no more, lost because of the ease of on line shopping. According to statistics, store traffic fell 1.6 percent from last year and in the New York Times, November 29, 2017, Michael and Corkery and Tiffany Hsu also reported, “Over Thanksgiving, Shoppers Hit the Mall but More Often Used Their Phones.” The good news is that the decline in store traffic was not as steep as was predicted. I guess all the ‘special days’ created, including Small Business Saturday have contributed.
This year, 2017 holiday shopping was distinctly different for me than previous years, and what I learned from my experience clearly helped me get the best bargains with the least stress and truly enjoy holiday shopping.
MAKE SHOPPING “WISH” LISTS EARLIER
By November 1, 2017, it seemed that all of the news media was saying all of November and December we shoppers would see early sales and we should not wait until Thanksgiving sales to buy. On November 1, this Grandma asked everyone to put on the Amazon wish list what they wanted as holiday gifts and asked the parents of the youngest grandchildren to give us their lists for the young ones. This way, I could comparison shop and keep track of prices, checking past prices for everything and monitoring sales. I could also have my shopping lists early.
Early listing makes comparison shopping easier, especially for top selling popular items. This year, Hatchimals Colleggtibles and Nintendo Switch game system are top holiday sellers. I am glad they were not on anyone’s list in our family.
SHOP BRICK AND MORTAR WEDNESDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING AND THE DAY BEFORE HOLIDAY SALES
Because most stores are closed on Thanksgiving, sale signs and tags must go on Wednesday for Black Friday, we decided to shop ‘brick and mortar’ stores on Wednesday. We scored the best bargains. The stores were virtually empty and there was ample selection, help and assistance galore, including what was going to be included in Friday sales. We could “preshop and prepay” for items that would not be charged until Friday. You can use this tip before any holiday sale time. Most sale tags are on items after 3 pm day before holiday sale so shop later in the day to have access to everything on sale. Do not share this secret with too many people!
SHOP ON LINE ON FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING
Now that we were free to avoid the crowds in the stores on Friday, we spent the day on line. The speed of the internet was greater than on Monday, and, incredibly, most websites held their Cyber Monday sales for the entire weekend. By shopping on line on Friday, we had the best selections and the same sale prices as Monday. Do not share this secret with too many people.
CHECK COMPARISON PRICES AND GET COUPON CODES ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICES
The New York Times article said that nearly one third of all Cyber Monday sales were made on a mobile device. Of course, the phone is in our pockets or pocketbooks! However, I use my mobile device to check Retail Me Not for coupon codes and instant discounts while shopping, and also on every check out line. It is amazing how much you can save above the lowest price, just checking your phone on the checkout line or on line before you click buy. I read that Best Buy is meeting Amazon’s prices which is why Best Buy is booming. Yes, I check Retail me not while shopping all year long. This year, according to the New York
Times article, televisions were the most discounted items for sale. There are so many new innovations in technology, check again next year to update your television, if you did not have this on your list this year. Research early for upgrading technology and electronics.
GIVE IOU’S FOR CERTAIN ITEMS BASED ON THE ANNUAL BEST TIMES TO BUY SEASONAL SALES MONTH BY MONTH
One of the list items was bedding. Bedding, sheets, bed covers, pillows and pillow cases and the such, are traditionally best purchased during annual January white sales. I give an IOU when I saw the selections were not greatly discounted and will buy them in January. Also, remember items that come out with new models in January, such as televisions, digital cameras and furniture which means greatest discounts on older models in January. There are several websites that give you the lists for each month. Check out this site. It may pay to wait to buy.
GRANDPARENTS’ BANK
Our oldest grandchildren could not think of anything they coveted for this holiday season. So, we told them they now had a deposit in the Grandparent Bank for the total amount we allotted for their holiday gifts. We said we would add to their ‘account’ on their birthdays if they wanted. The first withdrawal came as soon as our oldest grandson returned home. He realized he wanted Apple Wireless Earpods. It was wonderful that he could get what he wanted when he wanted it from his ‘account’ in the Grandparent Bank.
For the youngest grandchildren, if we do not reach the total amount we allotted for their holiday gifts, we add to their college funds.
Again, this Grandma bemoans the loss of brick and mortar stores and the downfall of malls. I hear there are new concept stores coming where there is one of each item and then your selection is sent to you. No more last minute binge shopping when you cannot bring the item home immediately! I hear that the large empty stores may soon be distribution centers for picking up on line purchases. I realize that change is inevitable. Our shopping changes this year adapted to the times and made use of technology. We garnered the best bargains ever!
Remember the tips for next year or use them throughout the year for visit presents and birthdays and anniversaries with
Joy,
Mema
P.S. Remember experiences as gifts! See “Family Travel” tab on the website for ideas. For more tips, see previous posts:
Tips on Giving The Gift Of Travel To Family and Grandchildren, Multigenerational, With Grandchildren, and Best Family Itineraries Around the United States and World
At What Age Will Our Grandchildren Remember Their Childhood Trips and Adventures With Us
Halloween Just Ended and Holiday Shopping for Grandchildren Has Arrived: The 2014 Best Tips from Start to Finish to SAVINGS for a Wonderful Holiday Season
Grandma holiday shopping
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