MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - December 16, 2010) - (Family Features) If your holiday gifts aren't already under the tree or in the mail, you're not alone. One-fifth of the people polled in a recent Bing.com survey expect to last-minute shop this holiday season. Here are some great tips from Bing to help you avoid the stress last-minute shopping can bring.
Simplify Online Shopping
- Read reviews. Look for product reviews, especially when shopping for electronics and home appliances. You don't want to spend good money for a product that doesn't perform well or breaks down after just a few uses.
- Compare prices. Going online makes getting the best deal a snap. But don't forget to factor in additional costs such as shipping and taxes. They can add up and turn a great bargain into a bust.
- Go easy on the eyes. The Visual Search gallery at Bing lets you see beautiful pictures of what you're looking for -- which helps you make confident decisions and shop faster.
- Get guidance. Not sure what to get? Online gift guides are a great way to see a quick round-up of different categories so you can find just the right gift for each person on your list.
Best Holiday Gift Bets from Brooke Burke
Brooke Burke, co-host of "Dancing with the Stars" and mom of four, offers a helpful gift guide at bingholiday.com, sharing these ideas for your loved ones.
- For Mom: The holidays can be stressful, especially for busy mothers. Brooke suggests pampering Mom with home spa products or gifts from the heart, like beautifully framed family photos or handmade artwork. Her favorite spa product is Bliss Body Butter, which comes in both scented and unscented varieties.
- For Dad: If Dad is a gadget lover, a new Windows Phone 7 like a Samsung Focus or HTC HD7 would thrill him this season. The latest smartphones make it easy to navigate the Web, enjoy entertainment, social network and use a wide variety of apps -- all from one phone.
- For Kids: For kids ages two through eight, Brooke is a fan of recordable story books. These books take story time to a whole new level by letting you read and record the tale right into the book itself. Your children will hear you read their favorite stories at any time or place. And they make a great keepsake. For kids of all ages, Brooke suggests personalized charm bracelets for girls or ID bracelets for boys. She's also a fan of the Sing-a-ma-jigs, one of the holiday season's hottest toys that jitter, jabber and chatter as your child interacts with them. Get more great toy deals at www.bing.com/shopping.
Last-Minute Treasures
Whether it's to save money or because they ran out of time, almost half of the women polled in the Bing Shopping survey admitted to having re-gifted at least once in the past couple of years. It helps to be prepared with a few extra gifts, so you're not surprised at the last minute, leaving you rummaging through your closets for a reciprocal gift. To avoid becoming a re-gifter this year, take a look at these last-minute gift ideas from Bing Shopping:
- Wine Gift Baskets. Beautiful and delicious, a wine gift basket will please the foodie on your list. Search by price, user ratings or expert ratings to find the perfect match.
- Birthstone Jewelry. From pendants and charms to earrings and necklaces, you can find beautiful and affordable jewelry that celebrates your loved one's birthday.
- Spa Sets. Treat someone to a day at the spa without ever leaving home. Soothing or invigorating, fun or romantic, there are plenty of ways to help pamper a friend or someone in the family.
People also re-gift because they received something they didn't actually like. This year, make sure your family knows just what you want -- use the Bing Shopping List feature to select an item on Bing Shopping, add it to your list, and share it via Facebook. You'll never have to regift again.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
