Tip #99 Bibs and Bobs; Christmas Prep II: Shop with No Drop

    Yes, I know it's supposed to be "Shop till you drop" not "with no drop," but my best guess is that you already have dropped.  Well, you know what I mean… If you are someone who is recovering at home or caregiving for someone thereof, there are many barriers to celebrating the holidays, and for celebrating others too. Part I of Christmas Prep (click here) talks about our expectations about Christmas and prioritizing that which is most special as well as some ideas about how we celebrate it (and how we communicate with loved ones about how we celebrate it).
     Today's post, (Part II of Christmas Prep) addresses other ways to buy presents from home for those of you who do exchange gifts. Being 100% bedridden for the last few years, I have had to be creative about doing my Christmas shopping. Well, but, bedridden or not, if you are healing or taking care of a loved on (or both), your ability to go out and about may be compromized, and getting around a large mall can be near to impossible at times. Given that, here are a few general tips about shopping on line:

• Before ordering anything online, check the 
• Site Location: Are you on the right site? I've been on amazon.com instead of amazon.ca (US vs. Canada), gotten excited about my purchase, and then realized that I couldn't get it in Canada. 
• Delivery Time: Will it get there in time for Christmas  (sometimes it's in the fine print), and does that still apply if you live in a rural location (another lesson learned….)
• Delivery Fees: A lot of companies will advertise free delivery, but sometimes this only applies to:
• Gifts reaching a target total (free if you spend $35 or more…)
• Gifts with a certain criteria of availability (if you want the packages of your multiple package order to arrive as the items are available it's free, but if you want it all at once, it's not (and sometimes it's the reverse that's true)).
• People who select that option. I'm sorry to say I've fallen prey to this a couple of times. I'm excited that my order "qualifies" for free shipping, but when we get to the part about shipping, I don't actually select this shipping version, and so I end up with a delivery cost.
• Delivery Specifics: For us, packages arrive at the post office, and the post office is only open at certain times (we live in a rural location). So, although someone guarentees they can get it to you for the 24th, is your post office open on the 24th?
• Delivery Progress: Can you track the delivery online? It's reassuring to know where it is! 
• Return Policies: Make sure:
• You know who is supposed to pay the postage for something you have to return; you or them?
• For many products if you open the box, but don't like what you got, it is not returnable. It's only returnable if you haven't open the box, or you have and the product is defective.
• If you've paid any other way than by VISA or MasterCard, make sure that it does not effect your ability to get a return
• Payment Method: Do you trust the site in question? Do you trust your computer's security abilities? A good idea is to set up a PayPal account or something similar (so you are not giving each and every vendor your credit card). It's very easy, very secure, and quick to set up.
• Places to consider ordering: I've had success with all of the following:
• Amazon (Again, just make sure you're on the site for the country in which you live)
• Super speedy delivery
• Free delivery options
• Lots of variety (not just books!)
• Gifts for all price points
• Certificates available
• Blurb (a fun and easy to use photo book company)
• Very reasonable prices
• Your photos, arranged by you, or by them, or electronically (instantly)
• Speedy affordable delivery
• Great price points, lots of options
• Certificates available
• Choccreate (Amazing chocolate bars that you design, they make) I love this!!
• Small company with great personal touch
• Good quality chocolates, and you add fruits, spices, even bacon….)
• Very affordable, very yummy, very unique
• Great delivery times
• Certificates available
• Old Navy (Clothing Store)
• This is new to me and I just ordered, and it was great
• Lots of great sale sections
• Free delivery options
• Great price points
• Infants and up
• Apple (If you are just tuning in, I'm an apple-a-holic)
• Lots of selection, though a lot of it expensive!
• Great delivery
• Staples (yep, the office supply store)
• Geeks like me love office supplies
• Cute little girl gifts (like a stick-it-note pad that is pink, and hanging out a a purse, which doubles as a paperweight)
• Lots of candy gifts (especially nice at Christmas!)
• Love their delivery, return, and speedy service!
• Lots of games for the gamers in your life

     So, there you have it. Yes, I know some of those sites are common to many, and yet I am constantly amazed that so many people I know are intimidated about ordering online, or who have never considered that doing so is an option. I have also been told that some of it stems from not knowing someone who has been to that particular site, or shopped online at all and succeeded. Fair enough. But, sometimes it's worth it to try - just mind the pitfalls noted above wherever you shop.  In my experience, the stores above have been fantastic - you just have to think out of the box a bit (like getting a little girl present at an office supply store). 

     Can you see why I say shop with no drop? It is truly possible to give unique gifts (I highly recommend blurb and choccreate for that), and the popular items that so many ask for too, without having to leave your house! That's my kind of shopping!

Happy ordering!