Holiday shopping is always overwhelming. Between the crowds and the sales, it is hard to make sure you have something for everyone.
Therefore, you should be prepared. If you have a new little one this Christmas, you need more than the list of top toys for Christmas. You need this handy shopping survival guide for new parents.
Shopping Survival at the Mall
There are a lot of reasons, though, consider the mall. With all the stores in one place, it is very centralized.
Plus, many malls are indoors. When you are shopping with a baby, this convenience is essential.
Despite these advantages, malls are crowded which means your little one could be overstimulated. Worse, your baby can be exposed to germs. Therefore, shopping before Thanksgiving is preferable.
Alternatively, shop during the weekday. Shopping during less busy times makes it easier to get around.
A crowded mall can be hard to navigate with baby gear.
See if any mall services are available for families. Your mall could have a play space for kids, which can be an excellent place for your little one to move around. More massive malls may have other services and events catered to your baby.
Shopping Survival in the City
City shopping requires a lot of walking. Therefore, don your most comfortable walking shoes.
Use a maneuverable stroller. The good news is that most kids love being out. The bad news is that you will be tired of pushing them around.
If you accumulate a lot of packages, think about how you will get them home. Some stores offer car or shipping services to help you manage the experience; this is not available everywhere, so you will want to investigate it in advance.
Also, remember the weather. Your baby needs to be warm enough outside. On the other hand, you must make sure your baby does not overheat inside.
Layers are the name of the game. Keeping your baby comfortable will keep you comfortable as well.
Do not try to do it all in one day. Spacing out your city shopping is ideal. Plan your trips to hit stores that are close together.
You can even call ahead at some stores to reserve specific items to streamline the process.
Shopping Survival Online
If you are concerned about your baby going out and about for shopping, then consider doing more of your shopping online.
Shopping online minimizes all your hassles. With no crowds, bad weather, or germs, it is ideal for your little one.
The first trick is to find the right website at the right price. You should research the sales and coupons for your favorite brands.
Make sure you know what the shipping costs are to minimize that expense. Moreover, check the shipping time. Your gifts need to arrive by Christmas.
Things like clothes or jewelry are hard to visualize. To compensate, look for interactive websites.
These websites will often showcase such items in varied ways to give you a strong sense of their look. This is a great way to have confidence in your purchase.
Additionally, check the return policy on every website. Some brands allow returns in store. Others must be shipped back.
Verify that the shipping process is convenient and without cost. You do not want to create a burden when you give a gift.
Finally, be mindful of your online security. Only shop with websites you trust.
The last thing you want this Christmas is a stolen credit card number. You have enough to do this holiday season. Worrying about identity theft should not be part of it.
