“Doorbusters” often leave doors busted as crowds turn out by the thousands at popular shopping destinations every holiday season. This year, many injuries piled onto the record, with at least 7 deaths attributed to the holiday spirit since the Black Friday death counter began in 2008.
What are shoppers across the country so fiercely in pursuit of? Gifts, using the annual sales to grab anything from sheets and towels to flat screen TVs for loved ones or themselves. Holiday shopping has extended this year, with many popular chains starting deals at the start of November. Many have even opted for their Cyber Monday deals to start Sunday. However, don’t expect these deals to be your last shot, if you missed Black Friday’s bloodbath, you still have many more holiday deals on the way that are ongoing.
What makes a good gift? Well, that depends on who you ask. Everyone has a different personality, so finding the perfect gift can be a bit taxing on more than just your wallet.
For the techies: With today’s technology, even the kids are tech-geeks and often times they’re better than us at using it anyway, so if your family members or friends are big into technology, consider the following gift ideas: Apple watches, even the sport model, retail around $350 dollars, but are a hot item for those that enjoy the sleek design and functionality of Apple products.
Other big items, even on sale, are wireless headphones for Bluetooth devices. Remember to check your phone upgrades, as it might be time trade up. Take advantage of season deals. Tablets are hot items, with a variety of decent to great tablets starting around the $50 mark. Best Buy has 128 gigabyte flash drives on sale with significant reductions. Handy and small, picking up a high memory flash drive for a low cost may be useful for even the not so technologically versed.
For the gamers: Gaming deals are plentiful at Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy and Gamestop. Popular titles have varied amounts off, and depending on your reward groups, you may be able to cash in on the holiday season deals for extra savings. Wii U bundles, featuring Splatoon and Super Smash Brothers have driven Black Friday sales so far, offering a significant discount from the original Wii U price.
Xbox One and Playstation 4 deals are at a variety of venues. This season may be the one to upgrade your system. Be sure to look for discounts on accessories and external hard drives, which are often crucial to your gaming fanatic friends or relatives experience. 3DS XL’s are also on discount, Gamestop also features $100 trade in for the 3DS which can be capitalized off to increase savings and upgrade your handheld.
Apparel: Forever 21 is an easy stop for affordable gifts from a variety of price ranges and styles. Pick up affordable accessories, basics or for a little more, pick up a trendy winter coat.
Remember for both sexes that even if Ohio has missed a few White Christmases, it is still below freezing most of the winter. Use the deals to make sure your loved one has warm socks, good boots to keep them dry, a winter coat to withstand the winter winds and especially if you know they’ll be working with their hands or at a computer, a nice pair of gloves or fingerless gloves so they can avoid the chill.
For men, (depending on their style) try stopping in a few stores on your mall run like Pacsun, American Eagle, H&M, Hollister, Abercrombie, Gabriel Brothers and the Discount Fashion Warehouse. Although you may have to thoroughly check items at second hand stores and the Discount Fashion Warehouse, the deals are hard to beat, for both sexes.
Destinations like the Cincinnati Premium Outlets have great deals at J. Crew and (that suit store I go to) where you can pick up suits for as low as $60, with dress socks at low prices. Keep in mind a good tie can stay in a man’s closet for decades.
Toys: The Toys R US hotlist is worth checking out. “Minions” or “Frozen” toys are great and current. With the release of the new Star Wars film, picking up merchandise while you can is a good idea for all the young Jedi’s in training.
Blending toys and tech, several interactive toys can teach children about robotics. If a kid is into it, try looking at toy drones. Dayton Drones in the Dayton mall has opportunities for learning and fun. Self-balancing scooters and hoverboards are all around this holiday season.
Readers: Young readers can be hard to shop for, but although a book won’t fit in a stocking, it is a good traditional gift of the season. Include a cozy blanket and make sure there’s hot chocolate or apple cider mix and the cold winter nights will be something of the season to look forward to.
Although with young readers you could hardly go wrong for book selections, making a trip to the store sometime this December with your kid or young relative makes for a fun outing and makes sure you can’t go wrong.
Older readers might prefer a Nook or a gift card to a prominent bookstore. Barnes & Noble features many best sellers and has impressive collections for all genres. Remind your friend to finally get around to reading that book by shoving it in their face, wrapped with a bow and maybe a bookmark.
Beauty: Never underestimate beauty deals and the continued sales throughout December. Between Ebay, Sephora, Lush, C.O. Bigelow and Nordstrom your makeup savings will add up. The Anastasia Beverly Hills contour kit and MAC concealer kits, are plenty of affordable beauty options sitting around the $30-$45 mark.
If someone you know doesn’t have terribly oily skin, but has problems blending their foundation, Kat Von D’s Lock-It Featherweight Primer for $32. The product is one of the few primers that is not silicone based, and fragrance free.
Consider lotions and skin care products; keep an eye on Bath and Body Works sales. Cheaper options for stocking stuffers might include eyebrow gels, lip liners and individual makeup brushes. Necessities like sponges and cleaner are always useful, too.
Honestly, you can probably never have too much mascara, so picking up MAC’s Zoom Waterfast Lash is a solid addition for under $20.
Consider moisturizers in general. Aftershaves are great pick-ups for men, but many men are very particular on their routine. Maybe go the scent route and pick up a favorite of his, or give him a new one to add to his wardrobe.
Tools/Appliances: Someone is guaranteed to need a blender, a toaster, a spatula or even a trashcan. It may not be the best gift, but that really depends on the individual. Some people want nothing more than to have a new appliance or piece for their home, and knowing it came from you will be better. You will have a place in their heart and in their home, even if that piece is a trashcan.
For appliances, Macy’s runs some great deals. Also look into Hhgregg for the loftier ones. Appliances can be thoughtful too, just slap a bow on it and some smaller, more festive gifts.
Stores like Lowes, Menards and Home Depot all run holiday specials. It may be the time to pick up a new buzzsaw. Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like a blade that spins at 700 rpm. Some of them are even painted red, how festive!
Replace the tools in your home or your friend’s home that are just not cutting it. Don’t replace the old and trusty tools, go for the old and untrusty. You can only risk your safety for so long. New blades, new tools, maybe persuade the over-enthusiastic builder to use a level this time for your flooring, the list goes on. This also applies to artists.
On the go: There’s a traveler in every group. Ask them about their travels, try to sneak in their passport status and condition. Luggage sets are on clearance at great prices for quality sets, past cases can get worn out, travel bags and travel-safe bags are almost always in need of tending to. There’s an item out there that the traveler could use, and they would be overjoyed to see it under their tree or in their stocking this holiday season. Check out the impressive collection of hot-selling travel items on Amazon and try to catch a lightning deal to maximize savings.
Pets: If you have cats, there is no other option this holiday season other than to purchase the Kitty Shack. By purchasing the Kitty Shack, your cats will enjoy a fresh new box for only the price of $19.99 at stores like Bath & Body Works or As Seen on TV.
Celebrating Christmas can include your pets, especially if this holiday season your family grows a bit bigger by adopting or purchasing a new animal. Some shelters and associations run specials for NO COST adoption. Remember older animals make for just as good of pets.
My holiday item: Build-A-Bear Workshop’s Pikachu plush. Retailing at $60, the stuffed Pikachu with Charizard cape is available for pre-order online. Orders will ship in late December. Pokemon is twenty years old, and the kids who love it have no age.
Build-A-Bear runs specials, one of which is free shipping for online orders over $40. Check with your local branch to see if there are additional deals. Traditionally, Pokemon trainers receive their starter at age ten. However, a Pikachu is better late than never.
For everyone: The thought is what matters. That is the spirit of giving. Giving can mean presents, it can mean sharing your day together, it can mean helping the less fortunate. Whatever you get for someone, so long as it has your thoughts in it, rejecting it or complaining about it makes someone a Grinch. So bear and smile those gifts you receive that make no sense or are completely out of your character, someone went out of their way to think of you, and that’s special.
Barton Kleen
Managing Editor