How To Get Your Last-Minute Shopping Done

For so many of us, the holidays are about celebrating with our loved ones and being thankful for the blessings that we received in the past year. However, there is also that time honored tradition of gift-giving that happens during the holidays. To those who have not yet started their holiday shopping, the countdown to Christmas is just about the worst thing ever. Thankfully, there are last minute Christmas sales to ensure that even the biggest procrastinators will presents for family and friends (and themselves) under the tree.

The National Retail Federation reported that as much as 40 percent of the holiday season's sales happen during the 10 days before Christmas. While more and more people are checking off their retail shopping lists because of the lure of online deals, there is still a number of folks who need that rush of going from store to store at the mall and buying everything that they can get their hands on. According to Traci Gregorski, vice president of marketing for research firm MarketTrack, the final days before Christmas sees a drop in prices at most major retail stores.

"We're seeing some last minute discounting on popular items," Gregorski said. Some of the biggest retail chains like Target and Walmart are doing just that with Christmas Eve sales being offered and stores staying open until 11 p.m. for slowpoke shoppers.

While the majority of buyers intend to finish up their gift shopping at Target and Walmart in the days leading up to Christmas, a number of department stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue are offering last minute holiday deals. Meanwhile, popular fast fashion chains like H&M and Zara are also hoping to get some last minute shoppers by keeping their doors open through Christmas Eve.

Those who want to stay away from other frantic shoppers but still want to score last chance deals, the best option is to buy online. Amazon is the obvious choice for finding everything to wrap under the tree, but practically every fashion and beauty retailer — whether it's ModCloth, Philosophy, or J Crew — that you can think of is offering a sale between now and Christmas. Happy holiday shopping!

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