Holiday 2021 shopping tips to save money, avoid supply chain shipping delays and have your gifts in hand by Christmas morning!

To set the scene, it was a very autumnal morning where I sat down with a cup of coffee and the latest edition of WWD’s Beauty Inc. newsletter — one of my favorite reads of all!

After moving past a feature on Victoria Beckham and her ambitions for continued success in the world of beauty, my eyes started bulging out of my head when I got to an article on holiday 2021 shopping.

Surely I can’t be the only one who has seen news report after news report on the supply chain struggles we’re facing in the wake of the pandemic. But there was something that really hit home about reading WWD declare that the robust demand increase and supply shortages will lead to a 20% price increase on goods this holiday season.

And if a price increase of that magnitude doesn’t make your head spin enough, furthermore we’ll be seeing shipment times across the pacific rise from the current 6 weeks to 10 or even 12!

“Well heck!” I thought to myself while checking the date. “I needed to start my holiday 2021 shopping — 3 weeks ago!”

It’s clear. If we want to have gifts in the hands of our loved ones on Christmas morning – the time to start is now.

After a big gulp, I knew I needed to immediately start drafting my own plan on how to avoid supply chain shortages from interfering with holiday plans. Obviously all gifts are special and meant to be appreciated whenever they arrive but to avoid any possible delays, these holiday 2021 shopping tips will hopefully help you develop your own game plan the festive season ahead!

HOLIDAY 2021 SHOPPING TIPS

SHOP SMALL AND LOCAL

Yes, it’s a no brainer inclusion amongst holiday 2021 shopping tips. Nonetheless, shopping small and local is truly the best way to avoid long supply chain delays with goods coming from overseas.

There are so many fantastic boutiques that exist in our surrounding neighborhoods that we should definitely take advantage of this year! Additionally, explore Etsy to find fantastic, often customizable, gifts for all your loved ones. Each Etsy shop’s information will include details on where items are shipped from. Keep that in the US but also be sure to add in extra time for nationwide shipping.

SHOP IN STORE OR VIA STORE PICK-UP

I can’t be the only one who is guilty of relying primarily on online shipping at this point. I’m probably not the only who has also seen a huge increase in the amount of time it takes to receive a shipment these days. Packages from retailers that used to arrive in a matter of days are now taking 2 or sometimes even 3 weeks to land on my doorstep. That amount of time is only going to increase as we approach the holidays.

To combat shipping delays, amend to shop in-person. OR, shop online but with store pickup. This is a handy feature that emerged more prominently from the pandemic and one I need to remember more often.

Everyone from Nordstrom to Target and Ulta and Talbots give you the option to buy online and pick up at your nearest store. And for those who love their electronics, Best Buy does too!

SHIP GIFTS DIRECTLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RECIPIENTS WHEREVER POSSIBLE

For loved ones out of state, one of the best holiday 2021 shopping tips is to take advantage of the ability ship online purchases directly to them. This means you might not be able to personalize the gift wrapping and presentation as much as you like, but you will save the time and manpower behind getting an item to you and then shipped again to a relative.

Many retailers have the option for an item to arrived gift wrapped as well for free or small free. Be sure to closely examine your screen to tick this box when checking out.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CASH BACK REWARDS

Peruse the cash back reward opportunities on your credit cards and you could be very happy with what you find!

There are so many major retailers, restaurants and services available in credit card programs where you can get up to 25% back on purchases. Add that savings to the holiday specials businesses are offering on their own and the savings will really begin to add up! And that savings will be a big help during a holiday season where prices are higher than ever.

CONSOLIDATE ONLINE PURCHASES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

Condense your online shopping has much as possible by choosing stores like Target or even Macy’s where you can cross several items off your list in one order. Piece mailing your holiday shopping will of course only bog down an already bogged down system.

GIVE EXPERIENCES – NOT ITEMS

Experiences in general make for wonderful gifts as they create memories that will be cherished for a lifetime! An added bonus? There’s often no shipping required!

Consider museum memberships, gift cards to favorite restaurants, movie passes and concert or theater tickets as a way to treat someone you love to something they’re sure to enjoy doing!

DON’T DELAY

Last but not least, get started as soon as you can.

I am 100% guilty of being a last-minute holiday shopper because I am used to a life where we weren’t facing the shortages on both the manufacturer and delivery side that we are today. It’s been a spoiled life we’ve been leading and we’re going to have to change our expectations.

Start holiday shopping as early as you can this year to add in extra time for delivery and ease the stress unwanted delays may bring. ❤️

Thank you for reading!

Hopefully these holiday 2021 shopping tips will help you have a less stressful gift-giving season.

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