| Best Bet for Holiday Shopping: Plan a Strategy and Stick To It |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Christine Edmonds
Phone: (781) 444-0140
Organization By Design offers gift-shopping tips that give you something to celebrate this holiday season.
With today's busy lifestyles, finding time for gift shopping is difficult. Putting together a strategy that works with your schedule can make all the difference in having a happy, relaxed holiday season.
"Holiday gift buying does not have to take forever or be a chore, " says Mary Lou Andre, president of Needham-based Organization By Design - a wardrobe management and personal shopping company. "There are many simple ways to get to the bottom of your shopping list in record time and have plenty of time left over to enjoy the season."
Andre offers the following tips for busy holiday shoppers:
Shop early. The best strategy is to shop year 'round, but it is still early enough to map out a plan and get exactly what you want for everyone on your list. Start with a list of who you will be buying for and let your imagination soar!
Keep a holiday shopping file on family and friends. This will become your resource for vital statistics on your gift recipients such as correct sizes and likes and dislikes. It is also a logical place to keep sales slips for returns. Avoid the post- holiday-credit-card-blues by referring to this file often to make sure you stay within a realistic budget.
Combine catalog and in-store shopping. By opening a charge at most stores and many catalogs, you can save up to 10% off your first transaction. Store hours are extended during the holidays and major catalogs allow you to place orders around the clock.
Avoid crowds by shopping during off hours. If possible, take a day off from work and plan to shop when the stores open for widest selection and most courteous service.
Take advantage of services offered by malls. Visit the information booth with shopping list in hand and ask staff to direct you to the appropriate stores. Also, more and more stores are offering free gift wrapping and special rebates. In addition, many malls provide strollers and even baby-sitters to make it easier for parents to shop.
Try to limit your shopping trips to under 3 hours at a time. Long, shop-til-you- drop sprees usually lead to impulse buying, exhaustion and frustration.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress smart. Malls can tend to be too warm in some areas and too cold in others. Opt for a fanny pack instead of a purse for hands-free shopping. Lock heavy coats in the trunk of your car and run for the nearest mall entrance. If you can't check it, you'll be stuck with it!
If you will be shopping in the evening, choose malls with well-lit parking lots and visible security patrols. Never hesitate to ask for a security escort to your car if you are afraid or need help carrying bags. Always be aware of your surroundings and consider using personal security devices. Malls that look out for your safety should be the ones that get your business!
Organization By Design is a wardrobe management and fashion consulting company that helps busy, professional women organize, plan and shop for their wardrobes. It offers a full range of wardrobe organization services including closet organization, fashion consulting and personal shopping. Media interviews with Mary Lou Andre and her clients are available by calling (781) 444-0140.
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