We all know about the basic Christmas shopping tips such as setting aside a budget and creating a list of gifts to get, but what else can we do to make our shopping experience a better (and cost effective) one?

Here are seven tips to help you be more efficient in shopping and to survive this hectic shopping season.

1. Use social media to get gift ideas

Instead of blatantly asking your friends, go through their Instagram accounts to find out what they like so as to have an idea of what gifts to get for them. Otherwise, browse through famous Instagram accounts to see what’s trending as a way to gather gift ideas.

2. Always pay in cash

Paying in cash is a good rule to abide because we lose track of how much we spend when we are paying with credit cards. A few hundred pesos per gift may seem little but it adds up to a lot more by the end of your shopping trips. Also, paying in cash forces you to stick to your budget and allocate accordingly.

3. Buy for others, not yourself

It is easy to give in to temptation when shopping for Christmas gifts. A pretty hand soap, an exquisite set of plates, an irresistibly fragrant perfume… You might lose track and get these for yourself instead of your family and friends. Always remember that this is a season of gifting for others, and not yourself; you can spend that money any other time of the year.

4. Never do last minute shopping

Shopping early has its perks – you don’t have to squeeze along with the crowd, there is no mad rush to get things done within a limited amount of time, and you can evaluate on getting the right gift for the right person, because a thoughtful gift is always better than a generic one. More importantly, it reduces your stress level, which should not have been there, because shopping is meant to be fun!

5. Avoid impulse buying

There will be plenty of shops that offer huge discounts on their merchandise close to the Christmas period. It takes a lot of self control to stop yourself from grabbing them just because they are cheap, but it is imperative that you do so. Stick to your list and improvise only if you can’t find the gift you are looking for. Give up something on your list if you want to get an extra item.

6. Shop online for the best deals

There are websites that offer great discounts. Do your research and look for the sites that best suit your gifting needs. Do this in advance because you will have to factor in shipping time, especially if it is shipped from another country.

7. Buy extra gifts for unexpected guests

It is possible that an extra guest or two may turn up at your party, so getting additional gifts is a good idea to not make them feel left out. These gifts can be generic and gender neutral. Make sure that you don’t go overboard with this and control the number of extra gifts you buy.

Gift Ideas with Thermos® One-Push Tumblers

Both functional and aesthetically pleasing, Thermos® One-Push Tumblers make good gifts this Christmas season, thanks to its vacuum insulation technology that helps keep drinks hot/cold for hours, and the variety of sizes and colours to suit all preferences. Make this season a meaningful one and get a tumbler for your loved ones. Find more designs and colours here.