Halloween has come and gone and now everyone's mind is turning towards Christmas and more importantly what gifts to purchase. For some it is the best time of year; they revel in buying Christmas presents. For others, the festive period is a pain in the proverbial as they struggle to buy a present. Ultimately what happens is that they buy a present which they most likely purchased last year such as biscuits, pyjamas, and the ever reliable Lynx gift set.
But 2020's Christmas looks set to be completely different to others with the vast majority of presents to be purchased online. While some may say it is great as they will not be overcome by the throngs of people madly rushing about looking for a gift, others will feel the festive period will have a little less of yuletide magic.
However, while there is a strong possibility we will not be able to do our Christmas shopping in person, many Galway stores have their online shops set up and ready to go for the Christmas rush, thus having the ability to continue with their operations, albeit at a reduced level, as well as employing staff. Gift and craft shops, clothes shops, and toy shops are offering click and collect as well as delivery services which means customers can get all of their Christmas shopping done from the safety of their own sofas.
So here at the Galway Advertiser we provide some tips on how to do your Chrimbo shopping safely, and hopefully, stress free.
Best time to buy online
Like any Christmas in Galway, the best time to buy presents is November and the earlier the better, with research suggesting that the early bargains and sales in November being even better than the one in January. Also the earlier you begin your hunt for gifts, the more likely it will be in stock. So shop early to avoid disappointment.
Check delivery times
Because a higher number of people will be shopping online for their presents this year, it is important to check out delivery times of shops. The latest cut off point for accepting orders that can be delivered by Galway stores is usually around December 22 but with a higher demand, many stores may have to bring that date forward in order to ensure they can meet all their customers' needs.
Shopping safely online
It is highly advisable to use your credit card when buying anything online, regardless if it is the local store beside your home or the mega global brand. Make sure your shop has a geographical address and phone number and always check returns, delivery, and cancellation policies. A good tip is to use family and friends' recommendations and when it comes to follow up emails from the company, they should ask you to resend bank or card details. If you are in doubt about an email, ring the website's customer service number to be sure.
So don't fret over the Christmas rush this year and remember, customers' support of local businesses during these unprecedented tough times can help keep local businesses afloat and local employees in jobs.
