‘Tis the season to go shopping! With Black Friday around the corner and the holidays only a few weeks away, the month of gifting is upon us. We’ve rounded up our top tips to help you tackle your list of presents during the most wonderful time of the year.
Make Your List, Check it Twice
This is not the time to forget someone important. Start with a list of who you need to buy for this year and then set a budget per person or per gift. If you aren’t initially sure what you want to buy someone yet, we recommend at least setting a price limit. This will ensure you avoid searching for a gift that is outside of your price range.
Bloggers, media outlets, brands, and influencers have already started releasing their 2022 holiday gift guides. This is a great place to start if you’re questioning what to gift this season. Many of them are broken down by price range and recipient, ensuring you don’t forget anyone and aren’t overspending.
Compare In-store vs. Online Prices
The annual debate of Black Friday versus Cyber Monday. Black Friday doesn’t have the same appeal that it once did, and now Cyber Monday is just as big of a shopping experience. Of course, there are customers who prefer to shop in person, meanwhile, others would rather find the best deal online.
We recommend following different online retailers closely for their promotions and best sales. Remember that online prices often also include shipping fees which you won’t get with in-store purchases. Many online sales start even earlier than Black Friday and Cyber Monday, giving you more time to plan your holiday gifting to start shopping now.
In addition to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, another popular holiday shopping day is Small Business Saturday. The day was created by American Express in 2010 as a way for customers to support their local small businesses in person during the holiday season. In 2011, the Senate passed a resolution to support the day and now it’s recognized nationwide. Shopping small doesn’t only positively impact your local businesses, but ultimately helps your community too.
Research Major Purchases in Advance
Holiday sales are a great time to invest in major purchases. All the big retailers are advertising deals on TVs, laptops, new phones, gaming systems, and more. Do your homework and research which retailer is running the best discount for the product you’re looking for.
If physical gifts aren’t your thing, an experience gift is always well received. Follow airlines and hotel brands to see if they’re offering any discounts for holiday travel. Other options include tickets to sporting events, cooking classes or wine or whiskey tastings, or a day at an amusement park.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
This is probably something that you try to remind yourself annually but never follow through with. Whether you’re shopping in person or online, it’ll save you time and money to get your holiday shopping completed in advance. Waiting until the last minute will result in expensive overnight shipping fees for online purchases and increased traffic at malls and stores for in-person purchases.
Plan Your Shopping Experience
Now that we’ve talked you through the best tips to prep for holiday shopping, let’s make a plan for your in-store shopping experience. First, determine your route, so you can hit every store in one trip. It’s also important to know what time each stop opens.
Once you’ve planned your route and timing, the next step is to figure out parking. Enter ParkMobile, to take some of the stress out of holiday shopping. With ParkMobile, you can view available parking spaces wherever you are going and see which areas and lots are full. The smartphone app, available for iPhone and Android, makes it easy for you to pay for on-demand parking right from your mobile device.
ParkMobile also offers parking reservations allowing you to reserve a spot in advance of your shopping spree. Whether you’re driving into the city for the day or looking to park at a specific shopping destination, ParkMobile reservations guarantee your parking space. A gift from us to you.
Our Favorite Shopping Destinations
Atlantic Station, Atlanta, GA
The mixed-use development is in the middle of one of Atlanta’s top neighborhoods – the Westside of town. Atlantic Station is home to a variety of dining options, retail shopping, residences, office spaces, and entertainment options With a mix of local stores and cult favorites, Atlantic Station is a one-stop-shop for holiday gift shopping.
When parking at Atlantic Station, enter the corresponding zone number and/or space number found on stickers or signs into your ParkMobile app and choose your desired parking time. You can even extend your parking session directly from the app if you’re not done shopping when it expires.
Westside Provisions District, Atlanta, GA
Another Atlanta shopping staple is Westside Provisions District in the city’s West Midtown neighborhood. Home to boutiques and high-end retail, Westside Provisions offers free parking for the first two hours. Zone parking via ParkMobile is available after two hours.
American Dream, East Rutherford, NJ
Located outside of New York City, American Dream is a retail and entertainment complex with an indoor water park, theme park, ski and snow resort, and ice-skating rink. With shopping and dining spots sprinkled throughout the spectacular space, there is truly something for everyone on your list at American Dream. In addition to offering plenty of shopping for the holidays, American Dream is also a vacation destination to explore during your time off. Here you can shop for both physical and experience gifts.
ParkMobile is available for zone parking in the American Dream parking garage, or guests can reserve their spot in advance. We highly recommend reserving your parking before visiting to ensure you have a spot during this busy time of year. To reserve parking, please see here.
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