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November 17, 2009

Walnut Square Mall offers tips for holiday shopping

The holiday season is traditionally a time to kick back with family and friends, but last-minute shoppers often miss out on the chance to relax and enjoy the spirit of the season. Beating the holiday shopping rush is the key to lower stress and better gifts.

With just 37 official holiday shopping days until Christmas, time will pass quickly. Walnut Square Mall’s suggestions are bound to make gift givers’ shopping experience more enjoyable.

Shop early – Start early and take advantage of pre-season values and discounts. Seasonal sales are the perfect time to shop for personal items, someone's birthday, or any special occasion. If you find something just right, why wait?

Take your shopping list to the next level – Don’t just write out your list of ideas; take a second to record other important information. Jot down clothing sizes, color preferences, children's ages and other helpful hints.

Shop during the week and early in the day – Generally, there are fewer people out at these times. That means smaller crowds, faster service and time to browse a bit more when making gift selections.

Shop with someone – This is a good idea unless the person you’re shopping with is the person you’re shopping for! A shopping partner can share gift ideas and help make color/size decisions.

Go on multiple shopping trips rather than an all day shopping marathon – This requires a bit more planning, but you can preserve strength, stamina and sanity by separating trips for children and adults, or shopping by family.

Map out your shopping trip – If you know what you want to purchase and where you can find it, that’s half the battle. Check WalnutSquareMall.com for a complete listing of retailers and download a mall directory to see where stores are located to map out your stops for maximum efficiency.

Don’t forget the gift receipt and gift wrapping – In order to ensure the recipient can return or exchange an item, make sure the sales associate includes a gift receipt with your purchase. Plus, if you take advantage of free gift wrapping services provided by many retailers and department stores, all you’ll need to do once you get home is slip the present under the tree.

Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance or directions – In order to make room for holiday and seasonal merchandise, stores sometimes reconfigure departments or sections. Rather than waste time searching the new layout, simply ask a sales associate for assistance.

Looking for a simple solution? Buy a gift card – Take the guess work out of your gift buying with a new CBL Malls Select Gift Card from American Express. The gift cards are great for teachers, secretaries, and the hardest to please people your list. CBL Malls Select Gift Cards allow recipients to shop anywhere American Express is accepted nationwide (some restrictions). CBL Select Gift Cards can be purchased on the mall Web site at WalnutSquareMall.com.

Put safety first – Any time you’re shopping, but particularly during the holidays, keep safety in mind at all times. Know where you place your credit card or checkbook after a purchase. Don’t keep large amounts of cash in your wallet or purse. When taking purchases to your car, lock them out of sight in the trunk rather than leaving them exposed in the back seat.



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