"Wrap it up"

I talked a couple of posts ago, about Christmas Shopping. To make this task easier, and surprisingly cheaper, I have started shopping online. Yes, there are no ridiculous fellow-shoppers. There are no screaming children (unless they're your own?). There are no checkout lines or incompetent staff. It is just you, your computer and maybe a cup of tea. All positives aside, I did had a few concerns about online shopping.



Firstly I questioned the legitimacy of some websites. I wondered if something went wrong, would I be able to recover my money.

Then there is pricing. For some gifts I found online, I phoned a few of the retail stores in my area which stock the exact same product to check whether the apparent discount was worth the risk involved. After doing this, some prices seemed too good to be true. Most of the websites offered the gifts at 50% - 75% less than what local retailers were offering. I work in retail. I understand that this is insane.

I also had a few doubts about shipping. All sites that I used offered free shipping. I hoped that the ETA's offered on the websites would hold up their end of the bargain.



Well a week after I ordered some gifts online I have 3.5 out of 6 of them here. So far, each item has arrived well within the estimated time of arrival. The products are exactly as the should be. I am ecstatic. One of the gifts is not due to arrive until next Tuesday, but last night there was a collection card in my mail box telling me that it was being held at the local post office, ready for me to collect (thus the .5).

One website even sent them gift wrapped with ribbons and all. How much more of my time could they possibly save?! (unfortunately due to my pet peeve of having all co-ordinating gift and matching gift tags I did have to unwrap then re-wrap them. This was super fun, regardless of the fact that they aren't for me.)



Here are a few sites that I recommend you check out this Christmas.



http://www.strawberrynet.com/  I have used this site for years and I trust it completley. They sell genuine designer cosmetics, fragrances and hair products at ridiculously cheap prices. The products always arrive within mere days from Hong Kong or Sydney. This site also offers returning customer discounts, as well as free gifts for first time users. Also, unless you buy only fragrance the shipping is free. If you do buy just fragrance, the shipping is still as cheap as chips.



http://www.cdwow.co.nz/ This is the first time I have used this site. Again fantastic shipping time. Fantastic discount deals. I purchased two items from this site, both at 50% less than other online sites such as Marbecks and Real Groovy. Brad checked out the game prices, which he thought were unbelievably cheap. Man in your life that is in love with a video game console? Here is your opportunity to get them a present that they will love for a great price.



http://www.vistaprint.co.nz/ This site is again fantastic. Beautiful personalised stationery items at ridiculously good prices. Often they will email deals, where the products are free and all you pay is the super cheap shipping. Last Christmas I made personalised calendars, with a different photo each month, and with personalised calendar events like family Birthdays. Brad and I gifted these calendars to our Grandmothers. They LOVED them, and one Nana is still raving about it, and showing it off to her friends eleven months later. Surprisingly the rest of our family were quite jealous of this gift (Note to self: personalised calendars are not just a Nana gift).



So there you have it. Three great sites, that can make your Christmas shopping a breeze. Less stress on you, the kids and your bank account. I am so glad I gave it a try.