Get Ahead on Your Christmas Shopping With These Gifts

Christmas is less than two months away, and while that fact may cause many people to start singing carols, decorating trees, and hanging up lights, it causes a lot of stress for countless others. Especially those who haven’t gotten a start on their Christmas shopping.

One of the most enjoyable parts of Christmas is watching your friends and family members open gifts that they love. When you see the look of joy on their face as they hold something that you picked out just for them in your hands, you get a greater understanding of what Christmas is really all about.

There are some gifts that you should go ahead and buy if you want to get a jump on your Christmas 2024 shopping.

Some of these popular Christmas gifts are already flying off the shelves, so if you’re looking to make Christmas unforgettable for some of the special people in your life, go ahead and grab these items today.

Personalized Gifts

Some of the most popular Christmas gifts are personalized items, such as jewelry, accessories, tumblers, sweaters, and more. There are countless online retailers that offer any variety of personalized gifts, which can include anything from the recipient’s initials to pictures that mean something special to both of you.

However, since most of the places that offer these gifts are small, independently owned boutiques, it’s important to get your order in as early as possible.

If you’ve ever been on Etsy, you’ve probably seen loads of sellers offering monogrammed items. Another popular item in recent month has been canvasses, shirts, and other items that have pictures of pets on them.

Since most of these sellers are single proprietors who make these items when they’re not at their full-time jobs, it’s easy for them to get too backed up to get your gift to you in time for Christmas.

With a little more than two months to go until the big day, it’s a good idea to order any personalized items that you’d like to give to someone you care for.

Technology

We live in the digital age, which means that most of the most popular items involve some sort of technology. Amazon Prime Day has included various items, including Apple AirPods, Amazon Echoes, and more.

Newer items, including the LG StanbyMe TV is wildly popular right now because of its innovation and versatility. This TV can actually be moved from one room to another easily, which is a great option for kids or even adults who like to watch the big game on the weekend, but need to do some stuff in the garage.

Home fitness technology has changed a lot too, as smart scales, compact massage guns, and other items are booming in popularity as people take a more proactive approach to their health.

The only problem when it comes to items like the cutting-edge LG TV and the smart fitness technology is that stores often sell out of them quickly.

You don’t want to wait until the last minute to get that special gift for the tech-lover in your life, so go ahead and get those orders placed as soon as possible, or go to your local retailer and pick up the items that you plan on buying.

Nostalgic and Interactive Toys

One of the best parts about being able to shop online is that we’ve managed to move past the days of anxious parents duking it out in the aisles of their local Wal Mart while trying to get their hands on the last Tickle Me Elmo.

However, interactive toys are still wildly popular, so if you’re shopping for any younger kids, it’s a good idea to grab them early. You don’t have to worry about someone poaching the Bluey 3-in-1 Transforming Airplane Set out of your cart at Target, but you probably shouldn’t wait until the last minute to grab these interactive toys that are always a hit with younger children.

Another type of toys that has boomed in popularity in recent years is a blast from the past. Toys that surged in popularity in the 80s and 90s are suddenly “retro,” which has made them cool again. For example, there’s now a completely revamped line of Polly Pocket toys, which were hugely popular in the early 90s.

If you have someone in your life who wants to recreate their childhood by getting some of their favorite toys from yesteryear, shopping early is even more important.

Since you’ll probably need to shop eBay or your local specialty shop, you may have to spend some time looking around to find the right items. Time is of the essence if you want to get your hands on some classic toys and collectibles.

Home Essentials and Kitchen Gadgets

Kitchen tools and home essentials, especially premium items like espresso machines, air fryers, and more, have become increasingly popular over the last three to five years.

For Christmas 2024, items like the Ninja Creami and the Breville Barista Express are considered some of the hottest kitchen gadgets on the market. With the increased popularity of brewing specialty coffee at home, items like these are expected to fly off store shelves, and in some areas, major retailers are already reporting shortages.

Other home items like weighted blankets, heated throws, and smart home lighting options are also hugely popular.

Retailers like Bed, Bath and Beyond usually have these items in stock, but are not expected to be able to keep up with the increased demand when December rolls around. Getting these items now can help you avoid any sort of stock shortages that may pop up closer to Christmas.

Experience Gifts

Finally, one of the most popular trends today involves gifting people experiences instead of items. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with a well-thought-out piece of clothing or jewelry, more and more people are transitioning to experiences like weekend getaways, concert tickets, wine tastings, and more.

Several travel websites like Airbnb and MasterClass offer huge varieties of experiences that can be shared with family or friends.

If you’re struggling to find the right item for someone special in your life, consider getting them tickets to see their favorite artist in concert, or book them a unique Airbnb in a city that they’ve always talked about visiting.

Since most experiences don’t sell out like items in a retail location do, do you still need to worry about buying early? Yes, you do.

Obviously, you want to get tickets before the concert sells out, but even if that’s not the route that you’re going with your gift, booking these experiences early can help you get a great deal.

Start Shopping Today

One of the most effective Christmas shopping tips is to start as early as possible. Not only does this ensure that you don’t have to worry about not being able to find the right gift for a special someone, but it also helps you avoid falling victim to the stress that can so easily come with the season.

You don’t have to knock out all of your Christmas shopping today, but getting an early start is a great idea. Merry Christmas!