‘Tis the season to boost the economy and enjoy the wonderful retail world of Christmas. It’s at a time like this that the die-hard fashionista wishes she lived in a penthouse in New York City so that she could pass by the famous holiday window displays at Macy’s and take a stroll down Fifth Avenue.
For those who don’t have this luxury, make the best of this Christmas season by following a few tips on where and when the best holiday shopping can be found.
- Avoid shopping on Black Friday. This may be a Thanksgiving tradition for many families, but honestly, is it really worth it? Chances are that check-out and dressing room lines will be ridiculously long. The sales will still be there the next day, and that cashmere scarf isn’t really worth fighting over with another customer.
- Think outside the box. Although many people will have a list of specific gifts they want to buy at the mall, others will have no clue on what they want to get someone. Try shops and boutiques in downtown Bel Air on Main Street. Shops like Two Sisters, Heartbeat, Lavalier, B. Fabulous, Pink Silhouette, and Tiger Lily are great places to find fun and unique jewelry items for female relatives. For men, try places like REI and Ticketmaster instead of Dick’s Sporting Goods, Barnes & Noble, or Best Buy.
- Find a deal. People are usually stressed out over money during the holiday season. If money is an issue, check out places likes T.J. Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls. These places offer designer labels at a fraction of the cost. Plus, shopping at these places is an easy way to check everybody off of your list because they sell something for everyone in the family. The only drawback is that these stores tend to be messy at this time of the year, so patience is a must when digging through racks of merchandise. Don’t feel discouraged if nothing is found. These stores get new items in daily.
But most of all, have fun shopping and don’t forget to keep the holiday spirit in mind.
Barker can be reached for comment at [email protected].