Are you ready for Christmas? Have you completed your shopping? We’re almost ready, we have three gifts remaining on our list to buy, all for adults. Yes, that is a bit last minute. But in fairness, I’ve always still had to shop at the last minute. It’s what our budget allows. I’m not alone here though.
According to the National Retail Federation 2011 Holiday Consumer Survey, as of the second week in December, the average person has completed only 46.5 percent of their shopping.
Uh oh. That’s me. And whoa. I’ve got a LOT of company. There are still a lot of people with shopping to do and little time to do it in. I remember years ago when companies weren’t prepared for last minute shoppers. Sensible folks found a way to shop early, so that they wouldn’t be left without a gift, or worse yet, with a bad gift, because shelves and racks in local stores would be empty by mid-December. I know one person that actually did their last minute shopping at a tiny gas station convenience store on Christmas Eve one year. Everyone has one of “those” relatives, don’t they? The problem with it is that those stores don’t offer any options. What adult is going to be delighted with a toilet pipe snake? What child is going to squeal with joy when they receive a gas station t-shirt? These are not good last minute gifts. A good last minute gift should still show thought. Children love bikes, and toys like dolls, and cars and trucks. Cameras, cell phones, tablets and mp3 players are all great last minute gift ideas for all ages. A jump drive makes a great last minute stocking stuffer or gift for your favorite tech lover. A bluetooth headset makes a great last minute gift for the commuter or traveler in your life, as does a nice pair of gloves.
I think the stores are better prepared for last minute shopping now then ever before. For example, Walmart is having a “BIG Christmas Event” tomorrow, Saturday December 17. They’re offering low sale prices in store and online, and are even extending shipping deadlines. To me this signals that retailers recognize that people shop at the last minute for a variety of reasons, and still want to have choices on the gift they buy even if it is late in the game.
Here’s some more info on Walmart’s Big Christmas Event.
Starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, Walmart’s “BIG Christmas Event” will offer its lowest prices of the season on toys, games, electronics, bikes and more. In addition, Walmart.com is giving customers an extra day to shop by extending its shipping deadlines. Walmart’s holiday shipping options not only ensure gifts arrive in time for Christmas, but have also saved customers approximately $36 million in shipping fees.
“Our customers are telling us there’s still a lot of shopping to do before Christmas,” said Duncan MacNaughton, chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S. “Moms are feeling stressed to ‘get it right’ and not forget anything, so we’re excited to give them another great day of savings to help them purchase gifts, stocking stuffers and the holiday meal at our lowest prices of the season.”
Incredible Savings on Electronics and Games:
· Vizio® 32” Class 1080p LED/LCD HDTV (31.5” diagonal screen) – $298
· Vizio® 3D Blu-ray Player with Built-in WiFi – $98
· Select Games for Xbox 360®, Nintendo® Wii, and PS3® Games – $39.96 each
Best Gifts for Kids:
· Girls’ or boys’ 24” Power Climber Bike, Mongoose® 20” FSG or Outer Limit Bike $88 each
· FurReal® Friends Cookie My Playful Pup – $29
Gifts and Toys for $10 and under:
· Barbie® Swim & Dance Doll or Strollin’ Pups Doll – $10 each
· Air Hogs® Moto Frenzy or Beyblade Metal Masters Burning Fire Strike 2-pack – $10 each
· Axe® Excite Gift Set – $10
· Nobo Cozy Socks – $2.97
Top Toys for $20 and under:
· Nerf® Dart Tag Swarmfire Blaster or Hot Wheels® Sky Jump Track Set – $20 each
· Happy Nappers The Perfect Play Pillow TM – $14.88
“No matter how late in the game you start your holiday shopping, we guarantee the best price,” said MacNaughton. “In addition to offering our lowest prices, if customers find a lower price in a local competitor’s ad for the same product – even after the purchase – Walmart will refund the difference with a Walmart gift card – that is our Christmas Price Guarantee.”
Extended Standard Shipping Deadline plus Free Shipping on Hundreds of Thousands of Items
Customers can now order products online until 11:30 p.m. PT on Dec. 20 and receive standard shipping to home with delivery in time for Christmas. Rush shipping to home is also available until 11:30 p.m. PT on Dec. 21.
Customers have even more ways to save on free shipping to home and stores through the following programs:
· Home Free (now through 12/20 11:30 p.m. PT) – order online and receive free shipping to home on all purchases of $45 or more on Microsoft Xbox consoles, games and accessories, electronics, apparel, consumables and other seasonal items.
· Site to Store (now through 12/20 11:30 p.m. PT) – order online and receive free shipping to a Walmart store
· FedEx Site to Store (now through 12/20 11:30 p.m. PT) – order online and receive free shipping to participating FedEx Office locations. This service in now available in more than 650 FedEx Office locations in NYC, Los Angeles, Washington DC, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Denver, Miami, Cincinnati and Columbus.
· Pick Up Today (now through Dec. 23 11:30 p.m. PT) – order store items online for same day pick up at a Walmart store.
More information is available at www.walmart.com/holidayshipping
There’s Still Plenty of Time to Shop and Save! Most Walmart stores are open 24 hours and many of those that do not offer 24-hour service will have extended shopping hours for the holiday season.
Holiday hours and shipping options include:
· All locations close at 6 p.m. on Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve)
· All locations are closed on Dec. 25 (Christmas Day), with 24-hour locations reopening on Dec. 26 at 6 a.m. and other locations reopening at regularly scheduled times
MORE INFO
Walmart on Facebook
Walmart on Twitter
I will be receiving a gift card in exchange for sharing this information. Please note that as always, the opinions reflected in this post are my own and they have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.
Many stores will be opening into the Christmas Eve evening hours. Me, I have to go out today to finish the gift end. Must return and exchange one item (size issue), must get stuff for Christmas baskets I am making, and most important get hubby’s gift. Still awaiting a delivery or two of online orders. Stores really aren;t that crowded for a week before the big day.
I’ve left my Christmas shopping to the last minute, again…, but I think I’ll just buy some Tracfone phones at Walmart online. Gone are the days when I want to experience the chaotic traffic at the Aventura Mall at this time of the year. The more I order online the less I want to go to a mall or get in my car to drive to a shop. The next step is to do grocery shopping online and try to get free delivery of the parcels? yeah, maybe one day it would be possible!