Start Shopping Early This Holiday Season

Holiday shopping in 2020 may present some unique challenges. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it disrupted pretty much every major industry. In the world of retail, disruptions came in the form of closures of brick-and-mortar stores, supply shortages, and shipping delays. With this blow, shopping in 2020 has looked quite different and people are experiencing a new way of shopping. The holiday shopping season is just ahead, and we’re already thinking about how the pandemic might affect your gift-giving experience.

Many businesses have just recently gotten back to having in-person services and it looks much different than it did just last year with capacity limitations, new curbside services and retail employees being a little more stressed than holiday seasons before this.

When it comes to bigger brands that many like to buy for the holidays, be aware there may still be a backlog of their items. Many retailers are focusing on keeping typical or favorite items in stock over putting out new items.

In addition to the shutdowns, the shipping of packages process is longer because of health and safety measures. Plus, many people are still a bit hesitant to shop in-person and there has been a surge seen in online shopping. This means couriers who deliver products—such as the United States Postal Service (USPS), FedEx, and United Parcel Service (UPS), among others—also have been experiencing some delays.

Ultimately, all of these headaches have resulted in a longer time between ordering a product and receiving it. To be prepared for this year’s holiday season, plan ahead and shop early. It may be your best option for giving gifts on time.

TIPS TO SHOPPING EARLY & SAVING THIS YEAR

1. Take a Look at Your Budget Now
   Taking a look at your budget early may help you determine what you can afford for the holidays. When you wait to budget or don’t look at it at all, you may end up overspending. Remember, it’s not the cost or quantity that matters, it’s the thought behind the gift that counts.
2. Shop All Year
   Keeping your eyes peeled for holiday gifts year-round not only prevents you from having to pay for all your gifts within a short period of time but it is also less stressful by ensuring you have the perfect gift for everyone in time.
3. Try A Different Approach
   Consider trying a new tradition this year. If ever there was a year to do it, 2020 has been turned upside down already, so why not give it a try. Secret Santa or Gift Exchanges are a great alternative and can be really fun. You’ll often spend way less since you’re buying for fewer people and won’t have to look for as many gifts. Make sure to put a spending limit so you don’t go over budget.
4. Shop Small or Local
   Shopping locally at smaller businesses will not only help boost your local economy - which we truly need right now – but, it will also help you get gifts on time and oftentimes you’ll find more unique gifts for your friends and family.
5. Try Curbside Pick Up
   One of the biggest reasons for shopping early is due to the fear of shipping delays and not getting gifts on time. Many retailers, both small and large, have started and encouraged free curbside services due to the pandemic. It’s convenient, it skips waiting in lines, eliminates waiting on shipping, and can really streamline your holiday shopping.

No matter if you’re shopping early or last minute, CSE is here to help you finance the holidays. If you're trying to figure out how to make the upcoming holiday season less of a financial strain, or simply need some help making ends meet with regular bills, we have options to help.

All October, November, and December, members with a CSE Rewards Visa credit card can earn BIG with 5X Rewards Points on your first $1,500 in qualifying purchases when using your card for purchases at Amazon⁴.

Until then, now through the end of September members with a CSE Rewards Visa can earn 5X Rewards Points at Walmart, Target & Paypal⁵, on your first $1,500 in qualifying purchases.

With our current holiday and personal loan specials not only are you getting a great rate but you also don’t have to make your first payment until 2021³ – because we are all a little over 2020.

In short, the holidays this year will be extraordinarily difficult to predict. Our suggestion would be to start shopping early to avoid any potential heartbreak from out-of-stock items to delayed packages. We understand that 2020 has not gone accordingly to plan, so let’s be more than prepared in order to make the holidays the best part of your year!