Empty Shelves? You Can Still Give Great Presents (and Save Money)

One of this season’s top holiday shopping concerns is supply chain disruption that threatens to yield empty sleighs for would-be Santas. A Deloitte report found that 75% of shoppers were worried they wouldn’t be able to find the gifts on their list, and those predicted shortages aren’t just an urban legend. Early birds who have already hit the stores have had to change their plans; 51% of fall shoppers discovered something they wanted was out of stock at the store and 54% experienced a stockout online. In addition, even those who do locate that dream item are likely to shell out more than anticipated as brands pull back on promotional pricing.

If this news creates un-festive visions of you devoting hours to locating the right gift at the right price, it could be time for a reframe of your giving plans. Rather than plunging headlong into the mall melee, consider this the perfect opportunity to pivot and save yourself not only a lot of stress, but quite likely a lot of money. Here are three alternative ideas to the concept of “holiday shopping as an extreme sport” that are present perfect.

1. Buy nothing and giveaway groups

In the wake of over-consumerism, these neighborhood groups are having a moment, proving the adage that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Log onto a local group and be prepared to be amazed at the wide selection that’s available—at absolutely no cost.

Start at the “Buy Nothing Project” map to find a group near you or visit local social media sites to find your local match. One popular and accessible option is Facebook’s Buy Nothing group, which has an app in beta testing. Another option is the non-profit, Freecycle, whose mission is to reduce waste by connecting over 9 million members across 5,000 towns by giving away items for free to other members. Membership to Buy Nothing groups and Freecycle is free and only requires an internet connection.

Before you dive in, read the group’s rules as they usually have established ways they do things. Sometimes you might have to be quick to claim the item you want, but it’s not always first-come, first served. In some groups the poster will collect people’s stories to find the best fit or hold a drawing to give everyone an equal chance at the most coveted pieces. You also don’t want to appear greedy by requesting everything that’s posted; be judicious and wait for the listings that truly fit the needs of your recipients.

Don’t be surprised if you quickly become addicted to scrolling through to see what bounty is waiting for you, whether it’s the playhouse your child is pining for or new (to them) home accessories that perfectly match a friend’s décor.

And while you’re there, why not post some treasures of your own? You might have just the thing to make someone else’s holiday wishes come true.

2. Resale apps

Looking for a hard-to-find brand? Chances are good someone else bought it earlier…and no longer wants it. Such is the beauty of resale, where you’ll never find empty shelves—provided you aren’t sold on one particular item. In today’s peer-to-peer world, there are numerous apps that can connect you with new marketplaces and help you feel better about the environment as well as your wallet. You can stay local with resale apps like Nextdoor or Facebook Marketplace or shop around on websites like eBay or Tradesy for harder-to-get items. Other popular choices include Poshmark and thredUP for clothes and shoes and Gazelle or Glyde for tech gadgets.

You’ll be in good company; research shows that 77% of consumers are likely to buy something secondhand this holiday season, which adds up to an astonishing $69.2 billion, 24% more than last year. It’s an especially popular option if you’re giving to younger generations, who are loathe to contribute to the growing climate problems caused by overconsumption.

While good deals can be found, remember that the seller is trying to make money, too, so you’re unlikely to get a total steal and should only make reasonable counteroffers. Take time to scrutinize the photos and verify all the details, like size, color, fabric and condition. You can ask the seller to send you additional pictures if you’re unsure. If you’re buying vintage or designer items, some digital marketplace say they authenticate high-end pieces.

Most apps have protections to ensure you actually get your merchandise so be sure to read the policies. However, don’t be tempted to make a deal directly with a seller who suggests you take your communication and payment off the app. To be protected, you’ll need to conduct the transaction within the platform.

3. Your own skills

Giving a gift of “you” is the best gift of all. And, while those coupons you used to give as a kid for “extra hugs” were undoubtedly appreciated by your loved ones, now you can give real presents that have value to the recipient.

These can fall in different categories, depending on your skills, interests, available time and relationship to the recipient. If you have a special talent like crafting, baking or painting, your recipient is sure to appreciate a DIY creation. But even if you aren’t artsy, everyone has a skill they can share. For example, think of the ways you can help someone who has too much on their plate…can you babysit while they run errands, or be the errand runner if it’s hard for them to get out? You could take their cherished recipes or photos to scan into a meaningful book. Or you could set up a regular outing for someone who could use some one-on-one time, whether it’s a weekly coffee chat or a visit to a free lecture at the library each month. The goal is to find something you both will enjoy and put it on your calendar for a recurring get-together.

Sentimental presents are always well-received. If you have kids, you can take their artwork and turn it into a framed piece for family members or have them perform a special song. For old (in years) friends, hunt down a menu from a favorite childhood restaurant or create a playlist with songs that take you back to special times.

While all these purchases involve a time investment—whether you’re searching for the perfect item on a resale or buy nothing site or chasing down a childhood memory—chances are good that this labor of love will end up seeming like a gift to you, too, as you reflect on the interests and tastes of your friends and family, rather than just buying the first thing you see.

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