8A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL DECEMBER 13, 2017
HOLIDAY SHOPPING SURVIVAL GUIDE
Holiday shopping season typically begins the
day after Thanksgiving and extends all the way
to Christmas Eve. While that’s a considerable
amount of time for shoppers to fi nd gifts for ev-
eryone on their shopping list, many people will
still fi nd themselves putting holiday shopping off
until the last minute.
In certain ways, last-minute holiday shopping
is easier than ever. Thanks to online retailers who
can ship products overnight, men and women who
delay their holiday shopping have more options
at their disposal than they did before the arrival
of the Internet. And unlike the days of yore when
the best deals were largely exclusive to Black Fri-
day, some shoppers fi nd that competition between
online retailers and traditional brick-and-mortar
stores is so great that deals can be found regard-
less of when they begin shopping. But while wait-
ing until the last minute to begin holiday shop-
ping may not be as risky as it used to be, shoppers
may still benefi t by sticking to certain strategies
so they can fi nd the perfect gifts without breaking
the bank.
• Stay within your budget. Even last-minute
shoppers have holiday shopping budgets. But it
can be harder for last-minute shoppers to stick to
their budgets because they have less time to com-
parison shop and hunt for deals. As the holiday
shopping season winds down, resist the tempta-
tion to go over budget. If a gift you had in mind
is available but more than you can spend, look for
something else. Overspending on holiday shop-
ping in December is a recipe for debt in Janu-
ary, and no shopper wants to begin the new year
weighed down by consumer debt.
• Shop local. National chains and big box retail-
ers are renowned for rolling out great deals during
the holiday season, but such stores may have very
limited or unimpressive inventory left by the time
last-minute shoppers begin shopping. Local re-
tailers are often incapable of slashing prices as
signifi cantly as their larger competitors, and that
may mean they have more extensive inventories
available throughout the holiday shopping sea-
son. In addition, shoppers who stick with local re-
tailers won’t have to pay shipping costs to ensure
items arrive on time.
• Shop during off-peak hours. Shopping during
off-peak hours can help last-minute shoppers
make effi cient use of the limited time they have
Free holiday meal today
Hosted in Eugene by Lane Youth
On Wednesday December 13, Lane County
Youth Services will host their 12th annual Holi-
day Meal from 11 a.m. – 2p.m. in the Carmichael
Room at Lane County Youth Services Serbu Cen-
ter. The meal is provided by the Martin Luther
King Jr. Culinary Arts Program free of charge and
is open to the entire community.
“This is our opportunity to teach the kids the
importance of connecting with and giving back
to our community,” said Lane County Youth Ser-
vices program supervisor, Jose Alvarez.
The annual meal began as a University of
Oregon Family and Human Services student se-
nior project 12 years ago and has since become
an invaluable part of the holiday season for Lane
County Youth Services.
No RSVP is required. Parking is free and lo-
cated directly in front of the Serbu building. The
event will also feature a free raffl e for a number of
prizes as well as free food boxes for pick-up. Lane
County Youth Service is located at 2727 Martin
Luther King Jr. Blvd (directly across MLK from
Autzen Stadium).
to buy gifts for their loved ones. Visit stores early
in the morning or late at night, or schedule a mid-
week afternoon shopping trip so you aren’t spend-
ing what little time you have left waiting on lines
or hunting for parking.
• Give something less traditional. Holiday gifts
need not come from stores. Rather than spend-
ing their time shopping for gifts for loved ones
who seemingly have it all, last-minute shoppers
can give the gift of a donation in their loved one’s
name. Last-minute shoppers who want to give
something more tangible can create a homemade
gift that’s both unique and heartfelt. If your DIY
skills are lacking, give a loved one the gift of a
night out on the town at your expense.
Shoppers who wait until the end of the holiday
shopping season to begin their searches for hol-
iday gifts can still fi nd great gifts without going
broke.
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity's
Restore holiday sale is
this Thursday through
Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. at 2155 Getty Circle
Unit 1.
Holidays in the Hanger
Cottage Grove's Oregon
Aviation Society is cele-
brating the holidays and
invites residents to drop
by the museum located at
2475 Jim Wright Way.
Gold Museum
The Bohemia Gold min-
ing Museum has a new
location in the Boots and
Sandals Square Dance
Barn across from Bo-
hemia Park. Thursday
through Saturday 1 p.m.
to 4 p.m.
more information and
location.
Genealogy
The CG Genealogical
Society is looking for
new members. For more
information, call 541-942-
9570.
912 Project
The 912 project will meet
Monday at Stacy's Cov-
ered Bridge restaurant at
6:30 p.m.
Game day
The senior center game
day is scheduled for
Thursday at 12:30 p.m.
at the center inside the
library.
Teen group
The LGBTQIA teen group
sponsored by South Lane
Mental Health will meet
Thursday at 4 p.m. Please
call 541-942-3939 for
Magnolia Gardens party
The community Christmas
party will be held Thurs-
day at 2 p.m. at 1425
Daugherty Ave. A reading
of "A Christmas Story"
and Christmas music will
be rebroadcast by KNND
radio on Christmas Eve.
Village Green lights
Christmas lights are up at
Village Green Th-Sun 5-9
p.m. Fee applies.
Shop Local. Shop Cottage Grove
this Holiday Season!!!
Eugene Saturday Market’s 2017
Handcrafted Gifts, Sold By Their Makers
International Food Court
Live Music
Weekends: Nov. 18 - Dec. 17 + Dec. 22-24
10 AM - 6 PM • Lane Events Center, 13th & Jefferson
More details at www.holidaymarket.org 541-686-8885
Shop local! Together we thrive! y
Bring this coupon for
Give a
Gift Certificate!
15% off Books!
from 12/13 to 12/24
615 Main Street • Cottage Grove • 541-942-8711
homesteadcg.com
637 E. Main St. • (541) 942-6143
Kalapuya Books
DONATE NOW!
HEDGE TRIMMER
STOCK#HS 45
25% off all Regular Priced
Christmas Gift Merchandise
Can not be applied to in-house accounts.
Valid 12-13-17 to 12-19-17
119 S. 6th Street • 541-942-0505
MAKO 5-DRAWER
DRESSERS
18 DIFFERENT COLORS
SOLID WOOD
$259
Special pricing: $299.95
(ends 11/26/17)
Maximize your donation by donating
to Cars for a Cause by Dec. 31st.
We accept cars, trucks, RVs, boats
& motorcycles CALL NOW!
•Helps those in need in Lane County
• Charitable donation
•We do all the paperwork
St. Vincent de Paul
2315 Hwy. 101 • Florence • 541-997-8460