If it’s beginning to feel a lot like you’re going to leave your Christmas shopping to the last minute again this year, this post is about to give you a friendly candy cane to the ribs.

While procrastination is human nature’s middle name, enduring crowded shopping centres after spending 40 minutes finding a car park to buy crap your loved ones do not need (and potentially may not like), is definitely worth avoiding if at all humanly possible.

So while this post refers to the do’s and the don’ts, there’s really only one don’t. That is, don’t leave your Santa slaying to the last minute (December 18 for those who are still on the fence).

Don’t leave it to the point where it’s too late to shop online (for shipping purposes), or too late hire a Virtual Assistant to mess it up do it all for you, unless of course you want to lose your mind along with a stocking-load of cash on disorganised spending choices.

So what are the do’s? Check out the below list of rock solid online Christmas shopping tips for the disorderly, disinterested and the faint hearted.

1. Shop online in the location of the person you’re buying for to save on shipping costs and the need to gift wrap it yourself.
2. DO NOT buy anything online without googling the store for coupon codes on sites like Retail Me Not or Ozbargains. Our top recommendation? Cash Rewards, who not only give you the coupon code, but cashback on all purchases as well.
3. If you have absolutely no idea what to get your Aunt, Grandmother, Mother or Sister, you cannot go wrong with luxury/generic. By luxury we mean Chanel, Dior, YSL etc. By generic we mean moisturiser, mascara, cleanser, perfume, blush – basically all the products that don’t need to be tested before buying (like foundation does for skin colour), are useful, priced between $40 – $150, have minimal shipping costs, and most importantly, are a delight to receive as a gift on any day of the year.
4. Procure a hamper of gourmet artisan perishables like Luke Mangan Providores or something fun and different like Love Dem Apples. Think delightful mini puddings, truffle oil or wasabi mayonnaise. Special treats that can be taken home and savoured, continuing the holiday spirit well after everyone has gorged themselves on ham and prawns.
5. Don’t feel guilty about gift cards, because while it may feel like a lazy option, know that it’s fun to spend other people’s money. Give your loved one the opportunity to get what they really want at a price that works for you. Bonus extra: Bunnings even allows you to print an embarrassing photo on the gift card that must be handed over at the counter. LOLs.
6. Purchase an experience from Red Balloon to share with the loved one who has everything. This is a great opportunity to put a date in the calendar in the new year for you both to look forward to. Let everyone else buy them socks and undies.
7. If all else fails, you can always go to Fiverr and instruct a struggling musician to serenade them with a jingly christmas tune to entertain everyone over Christmas Day lunch.

Hopefully some of these suggestions have kickstarted your desire to get organised this festive season. Remember, while online shopping is definitely easier and more cost effective, you still need to do it earlier rather than later. You can even use an app like Santa’s Bag to help you keep track of your budget, plan your gifts and remember everyone you need to buy for.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a healthy credit card in the New Year!

Do you have a tried and true process for getting through your festive season preparations alive? Share with us in the comments.