Well, I love a holiday bargain as much as anybody. And, I hate to do this sometimes, but I always sit down before I go Christmas shopping, and I make myself come up with the amount of money I can spend to get everything I need. And then, I come up with the amount of money I can spend on my wants. Need versus want. I am sure you are familiar with enforcing the difference in your family, too.
So, the first thing I look for in both print ads and on the internet, are all the free shipping offers. I don't look at x percent off, because they can (and do) always inflate the "original" price and offer some discount off of that. Silly waste of time, usually. So, the first thing I want is free shipping offers that let me choose anything I want at good prices, knowing that it will be shipped to me for free. This means, not only did I save having to go buy a box, get into traffic, spend my time, pack it, and then stand in line at the post office; instead, I spent 5 minutes online in my pajamas. That sounds like a sweet deal to me!
I'd seriously then take a look at any additional deals on Christmas ornaments they're offering. Are there personalized Christmas ornament ideas? Is the personalization free? Next, I compare Christmas ornament sites, but just the free shipping ones.
It is always a good idea to look at exactly how much information they offer on any given ornament. For example, I recently compared 3 stores. Two stores only offered a name and a date on the same ornament. One was slightly less expensive than the other. On a third store, that same ornament was slightly more expensive, and they offered a name, a date, and a message from me personally written on the ornament. It all boils down to how important a gift is this? Just giving to a co-worker? A name and date will do. For a family member? Go for the whole deal for the small extra charge.
The primary issue is always starting your holiday shopping early enough. It can be a real pleasure. The free shipping deals are out there--you just have to take the time to find them. But while you are doing so, enjoy looking through all the great Christmas ornaments. You never know where you're going to find a real gem and a bargain, too!