Skip to main content

    Christmas Shopping

    Online deals. Avoid scams. Ship on time.

    Trusted shopping sites

    • Amazon — biggest, fast shipping.
    • Target.com — store pickup option.
    • Walmart.com — free shipping $35+.
    • Costco.com — bulk + member deals.
    • Kohls, Macys — clothing.
    • Etsy — handmade gifts.
    • Stick to brand names you know.

    Holiday scam warnings

    • "Order delayed" texts — fake.
    • Fake delivery emails (USPS, UPS, FedEx).
    • Too-good-to-be-true social media ads.
    • Lookalike Amazon sites.
    • Charity scams — verify on charitynavigator.org.
    • Gift card requests = always scam.

    Shipping deadlines

    • Order by Dec 15 standard shipping.
    • Dec 18 expedited.
    • Dec 22 overnight.
    • Amazon Prime — Dec 23-24 same-day.
    • Pickup orders — Dec 24 most stores.
    • Plan early — sells out fast.

    Save money

    • Black Friday + Cyber Monday — best sales.
    • Amazon Lightning Deals.
    • Honey / Rakuten browser extensions.
    • Senior discounts — AARP partners.
    • Set Amazon price drop alerts.
    • RetailMeNot — coupons.
    • Costco gift cards — at member discount.

    Easy gift ideas

    • Amazon gift cards — never wrong.
    • Costco + Sam's Club memberships.
    • Streaming subscriptions — Netflix, Disney+.
    • Audible / Kindle subscriptions.
    • National park pass.
    • Magazine subscriptions.
    • Costco grocery delivery.

    Safe checkout

    • Use credit card (better fraud protection).
    • Never debit card online.
    • Apple Pay / Google Pay safer.
    • Save receipts (email).
    • Track shipments.
    • Photograph package at door.
    • Report stolen packages immediately.

    Wishlists save stress

    Send family your wishlist via Amazon — they buy from your list. Set up wishlist for grandkids — buy from theirs. Skip stress + crowds. Wrap to be delivered. Save money on gas + parking. December = peak phishing season — verify everything twice.