Dear Santa: I Hate Crowds

Holiday Truth-bombs:

  • I hate crowds.
  • I do not go to malls.
  • I have never been out on Black Friday.

Clearly, I am a bit of a Humbug about holiday shopping.  Or, at least I was….

christmas-shopping-connected-to-a-computer-mouseNow-a-days, I do the majority of my shopping online. I rarely have to worry that items are out of stock. I don’t have to fight the other shoppers or stand in long, boring lines. I simply lounge comfortably on the couch, under my favorite serape, and shop while watching Christmas movies (on cable, VUDU, Amazon Prime, Netflix or some other service).  Holiday luxury!

Technology has drastically changed the way we shop.  Now we can now actually spend time with visiting family or appreciating downtime with the kids, instead of rushing out for those necessary last minute items.  Sure, there’s a good chance we’ll still run out for “items” we may have “forgotten” (aka, code for a few minutes of peace and personal time, wink-wink, nudge-nudge).  The point is, the holiday traffic chaos, the harried crowds, the long lines for a register — these frustrations are just not necessary anymore.  Pretty soon the kids are going to think Santa is really the mail person or UPS or FedEx drivers!

Let’s get to the good stuff!  What are some of your favorite sites for Christmas shopping? My top sites are trusty Amazon and clever ThinkGeek. Share your favorites in the comments below!

Elizabeth Weil
Senior Account Manager

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Talk Back

Posted on December 19, 2013

Most of my shopping has been online, save for some stocking stuffers and local businesses. Amazon Prime is seriously the greatest thing to ever happen on the internet. It’s really spoiled me, too! It’s amazing how quickly you get used to free 2 day shipping. I bought a few things from Think Geek (when you have a son who is begging for Doctor Who gifts, this is a GREAT site!). I just can’t imagine ever having to go to a store…I was in Walmart the other day and couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Way too crazy for me!

Beth
Posted on December 18, 2013

For quirky items, I like RedBubble.com. Awesome t-shirts and posters!

Adrian
Posted on December 17, 2013

I’m a huge supporter of Amazon. I absolutely love taking advantage of my 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime. Truthfully, I buy my gifts at the last minute, so that 2-day shipping option is such a life saver!!

I also love love LOVE Diamond Candles! I mean who doesn’t like candles? My mother loves when I buy her candles year round, so it’s not a surprise when I buy her and my grandmother a few during the holidays 🙂

Cosette
Posted on December 17, 2013

I love shopping, but I hate crowds. I start my Christmas shopping at the start of November and am usually done well before Christmas. I do most of my shopping at the local mall, but I will go online for some special or unique items. Favorites include Amazon.com, Etsy, and ThinkGeek. For kids, Animal Jam gift certificates make an awesome gift and my Second Life friends get gifts inworld as well.

Benjamin
Posted on December 17, 2013

I like to be on the cutting edge of self-improvement science. So I opt for Upgraded Self supplements. And their coffee is just perfect when I really need my day kick-started (and who doesn’t?).

http://www.upgradedself.com/

Savvy
Posted on December 17, 2013

I also am a big fan of Diamond Candles: http://www.diamondcandles.com. They make fantastic gifts! They were featured in yahoo best gifts under $25 this year! GO DC! <3 For those of you who don't know, they are Soy candles with a ring in the candle worth anywhere from $10-$5k (yes really!!!)… I'm sort of a walking mascot for them…. Hi, I'm Savannah and I'm a candle addict.

As Reg said above Spirithoods.com is awesome too! I have the fluffy red wolf and it's so soft! It was a hit at Thanksgiving!

Can't forget the ever popular Thinkgeek for the geeks in your life (or for yourself!)! I personally Love the Zombie plant growing kit!!! http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/1692/

I also tend to check out Spencers Gifts (spencersonline.com), they have some neat stuff! like this Jack fleece blanket for those Nightmare Before Christmas fans!! http://www.spencersonline.com/product/Nw-Nbc-Thorny-Jack-Fleece/

A few others I frequent: Overstock.com, newegg.com, tigerdirect.com

It's the time of tech, why wait in those silly lines. It takes too much time when you can browse a lot of items right from home without ever getting dressed!

Andy Cronin
Posted on December 17, 2013

For the total social gamer, I highly recommend some of the great Kabam Gift Cards! These can be used with all your favorite Kabam games!
http://www.pcgamesupply.com/buygames/Kabam/?gclid=COK_392QuLsCFSWCQgodOHcAag

Rob Simpson
Posted on December 17, 2013

I really like Redbubble.com. It is a great place to find a unique gift for anyone, as they have thousands of designs created by independent artists from all over the world. I love giving personal gifts that are different and unique and this is my go to place for those gifts. They are also great for Christmas Cards.

Jay Biros
Posted on December 17, 2013

My girlfriend likes shopping… I don’t. Somehow, she still drags me out to the mall all too often though. (haha)

This year I avoided the holiday rush as much as possible. I like some of the deals you can find on wayfair.com & overstock.com. I also wondered over to Amazon.com this year and knocked out nearly all of my holiday gifts.

I also frequent bestbuy.com and target.com for those holiday gifts I would head to the stores for. Helps to avoid those holiday lines as much as possible at the store and the post office. I really like the options to ship as a gift to everyone I gift to in other states.

Theresa Galle
Posted on December 17, 2013

I LOVE Gifts.com where you can find the perfect gift, every time!

http://www.gifts.com

Char Ferrara
Posted on December 17, 2013

I used to spend way too much time trying to figure out the perfect gift for everyone on my list…..till gifts.com came to my rescue!! You can even search by personality. I also love the AWESOME candles on diamondcandles.com. Oh! If you’re a coffee lover (or if you have a coffee lover on your list), you HAVE to try Bulletproof Coffee on Upgradedself.com! Best…coffee….ever!!!

Michelle
Posted on December 17, 2013

NFLshop.com saved me from having to deal with mall crowds. Best. Thing. Ever.

David
Posted on December 17, 2013

I love using Diamond Candles to get my mom her favorite scents for the holidays!

Jason
Posted on December 17, 2013

I’m a big fan of:

BN Ranch – Perfect for your holiday feasts!
http://www.bnranchtotable.com

Picaboo – Their photo books, calendars and more make great gifts!
http://www.picaboo.com

Reg
Posted on December 17, 2013

Here are a few of my favorites!

Picaboo – for all of your photobooking needs – give the gift of memories! http://www.picaboo.com

Spirit Hoods – tell me you couldn’t see your tweens/teens rocking the pink wolf hood? http://www.spirithoods.com/product/1629468

Vintage Marquee Lights – For all of my friends who just bought warehouse lofts in Oakland and Brooklyn – I give thee VML – http://www.vintagemarqueelights.com/24_Vintage_Marquee_Lights_Letter_A_p/vml-a24.htm

There are a ton more, but those are a few of my Fav’s.

Reg

    Posted on December 17, 2013

    I made my mom a calendar with Picaboo last year for Christmas. She loves it, and has dropped several ‘subtle’ hints about wanting a new one for 2014. 🙂

Amy
Posted on December 17, 2013

I spent some SERIOUS coin at NFLshop.com. Niner gear for everybody!

    Josh Smith
    Posted on December 17, 2013

    I spend far too much money on Amazon, a prime membership constantly enables me to purchase all sorts of random things and have it just in time for buyer’s remorse to kick in. They bought Woot.com a while back too, and I’m on there daily to see what random object I can get on the cheap.

    Picaboo.com is a great place to make gifts for friends and family that are particular to you and your using photos. If you’re not particularly crafty yourself there are gift cards available along with great deals on sites like Groupon you can buy as gifts, and then they can create their own!

    ThinkGeek.com gives the gift of easy Christmas list delivery just by existing. I point my family to it and don’t have to worry about receiving yet another box of department store clothing I’ll never wear.

Kelly Goelz
Posted on December 17, 2013

I would have to say that Amazon.com is my definite “Go-To” for all things Christmas, birthday..pretty much anything that results in me having to buy. Delivered directly to my house and even wrapped? Yes please!

Other favorites are gamestop.com for all of my gamer friends and family and of course newegg.com. You can find some great, great deals!

Susie South
Posted on December 16, 2013

So happy with Amazon Prime. The UPS truck makes an embarrassing number of stops here, year-round. I also shop Old Navy, Etsy, Best Buy, Think Geek, etc. But I’d probably be disappointed if I didn’t get out into the stores at least once at Christmastime!

Posted on December 16, 2013

I LOVE Etsy and ThinkGeek.com! I also shop at Fleurty Girl (www.fleurtygirl.net) a lot. Everything they have is inspired by New Orleans culture and most of the items are made by local New Orleanians.

Geneva Hopwood
Posted on December 16, 2013

I’ve always been a fan of ebay.com. I’m a bargain hunter and a vintage lover, so I have lots of fun searching its depths for things I could never find anywhere else! I like etsy.com for many of the same reasons. I can spend hours there without even blinking…

I have to admit, I’ve also been watching some home shopping networks this season… It’s my new guilty pleasure. Jewelry TV has been getting most of my attention. As if the 24-hour programming wasn’t enough, they have a website too! Jtv.com.

Mandy
Posted on December 16, 2013

I actually love to shop in the stores! Something about the crowds, the chatter, the decorations, and the magic! However, if I must shop online, I usually go to:
Etsy.com
Shutterfly.com (perfect for personalized gifts, fast shipping, and everything looks the way it should)
Amazon.com
Sephora.com

Sheri Lavelle
Posted on December 16, 2013

I am hooked on ebay. I have found some great deals there over the years, and the bulk of my Christmas shopping is done there.

Posted on December 16, 2013

I’m a big fan of:

Modcloth.com, gilt.com, and etsy.com. And for my dad: http://www.titleist.com/custom-imprinting/

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