The holidays are magical, but the season’s whimsy can often be overshadowed by the mayhem of holiday shopping. Finding thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list can be quite the feat. This guide offers refined yet realistic holiday shopping tips that help you plan like a pro. Whether you’re mapping your list early or navigating last-minute holiday shopping, we’ve got you covered with holiday essentials. 

1. Create a holiday shopping list

2. Set a realistic budget

3. Start holiday shopping early

4. Confirm sizes before making purchases

5. Choose versatile, functional gifts

6. Shop online for exclusive deals

7. Choose stores with hassle-free returns

8. Join loyalty programs

9. Shop in-person and online during the holidays

10. Stuff Stockings with Small Gifts

11. Give Gift Cards

Enjoy Stress-Free Holiday Shopping at Chico’s

Key Takeaways 

• Create a curated holiday shopping list for everyone on your list (including yourself) with budget caps, sizes, and gifting intent to shop efficiently. 

• A realistic, tiered budget supports intentional gifting without overspending by prioritizing long-lasting, versatile wearables and using gift cards as a backup for uncertain sizes or last-minute needs. 

• Starting holiday shopping early helps avoid peak crowds and high-demand sellouts, while online shopping gives you flexibility and freedom to shop whenever works best for you.

• An essential tip for holiday shopping this season is to focus on gifts that are functional beyond December, feel premium, layer easily, and can be dressed up or down.

1. Create a holiday shopping list

Holiday shopping without a plan is like luggage without wheels. It works…until it doesn’t. Here are some holiday shopping tips to help you create a holiday gift list that’s easy to stick to: 

• Create categories by recipient type. Instead of one endless list, break it into clusters, such as family, friends, stockings, and last-minute backups.

• Assign intent before item. Decide how you want each person to feel when they open your gift, whether that’s comforted, celebrated, seen, or elated.

• Define quick filters. Adding tags to your list, such as budget cap or size/fit notes for wearables, helps you shop with purpose.

• Design a list for you. So many women forget to include themselves until the end, when energy is thin and budgets are tighter. Treating your own wishlist as a priority helps prevent impulse buys later.

Creating your holiday shopping list early also gives you flexibility when a surprise invite or gifting need demands last-minute holiday shopping solutions.

2. Set a realistic budget 

Finding a sophisticated gift doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. It’s all about being intentional, and a defined budget can help you keep the holiday season delightful without creating a hole in your wallet. Start by defining the dollar amount for each person on your list, whether that’s gifts under $100, $50, $25, or another amount within your budget. You can then create a tiered buy list like the one below:

• Tier 1. Personalized gifts

• Tier 2. Wearables and wardrobe staples

• Tier 3. Stocking add-ons

• Tier 4. Emergency gift cards

How do you avoid overspending while still gifting well? Focus on gifts that have longevity, like jackets, wraps, and layered looks. Mix in affordable luxury by choosing thoughtful gifts in the under $100 range. You may also shop final sale items to save more, but make sure you’re confident in sizing and style.

3. Start holiday shopping early

The best time to start holiday shopping is earlier than you think. Start planning in September to alleviate the holiday stress, and continue from early October through early November to avoid the crowds. However, it’s never too late to get your holiday shopping done. Prioritize the majority of your list early but leave wiggle room to capitalize on great Black Friday deals. 

If you find yourself shopping later in the season, you can avoid crowds by going in-store weekday mornings, especially Tuesday through Thursday between 10 am to 12 pm. To avoid crowds altogether, shop online instead. Whether you’re shopping for cashmere clothing or wardrobe staples, getting your holiday shopping done early prevents the emotional spiral of last-minute Christmas shopping and gives you the first pick of high-demand gifts.

4. Confirm sizes before making purchases

We’ve all experienced that tense moment at the checkout counter when you’re not quite sure if you have the right size. Fit matters, especially when buying premium wearable staples. Checking sizes before you start shopping will help you avoid last-minute scrambling and ensure recipients can enjoy their gift without having to navigate exchanges. 

Before shopping, you can ask your recipient for their size. Or, if you’d like to keep your gift a surprise, enlist the help of their partner, family member, or friend to check a tag on one of their favorite garments for you. This way, you can find pieces that fit them comfortably while reducing the chance of having to navigate an exchange.

5. Choose versatile, functional gifts

When gift shopping for the women on your list, focus on sophisticated versatility. The best gifts work across seasons, wardrobes, and occasions. Not sure what to get? Here’s a simple checklist to point you in the right direction: 

• Can it be layered?

• Dressed up or down?

• Worn beyond December?

• Functional for travel, dinners, office style, or everyday moments?

• Does it feel premium?

Gifts that tick all the boxes include classic scarves, quality belts and bags, and practical hats and sunglasses.

6. Shop online for exclusive deals 

Online shopping used to be the alternative to “real shopping,” but these days it’s more convenient than ever. Often, you’ll find the best holiday deals online, with many stores, including Chico’s, offering exclusive promos online that you can’t get in stores. 

If you holiday shop online, you’ll also benefit from broader size availability, early access to new arrivals, fewer crowds, and more time to compare and curate. Online shopping helps take the hassle out of last-minute holiday shopping to ensure you get meaningful gifts that those on your holiday shopping list enjoy.

7. Choose stores with hassle-free returns

A thoughtful gift carries meaning long after the moment it’s opened. But even the most intentional picks can occasionally need a different fit or finish, and that’s perfectly fine. 

Holiday shopping tips often overlook the quiet power of a strong return policy, but it’s one of the most strategic tools you can wrap into your plan. It frees you to choose pieces based on quality and versatility with the flexibility to make exchanges as needed.

Chico’s return policy is intentionally structured to keep the process uncomplicated. With generous windows, straightforward store and mail return options, and clear options for exchanges, you can shop early or make those last-minute holiday shopping decisions knowing there’s room to adjust if needed. 

8. Join loyalty programs 

Everyone loves an insider deal! Rewards programs are the unsung styling secret to smarter seasonal shopping. Loyalty programs can offer fantastic benefits, ranging from early access to sales, exclusive member pricing, points toward future purchases, birthday perks, seasonal bonuses, and even VIP shopping advantages.

Chico’s delivers this exceptionally well through Chico’s Rewards+, combining everyday wardrobe value with practical loyalty perks you’ll love.

9. Shop in-person and online during the holidays

There are pros and cons to both shopping in-store and online. With Chico’s locations throughout the US, it’s easy to shop locally or online. Let’s break down the differences between shopping online vs. in person: 

Benefits of in-store shopping

• You can feel the fabrics and see textures up close 

• You get same-day gift in hand

• You can try things on 

• You can browse new arrivals

• You can get gift inspiration

Benefits of online shopping

• You can find exclusive promos

• You can shop hard-to-find sizes

• You benefit from quiet, curated shopping time

• You can do last-minute Christmas shopping without fighting the crowds

10. Stuff Stockings with Small Gifts 

Not every gift needs to arrive in an oversized box. Often, it’s the smaller, carefully chosen surprises that spark the brightest moments. Stocking gifts are a chance to express personality, humor, warmth, and thoughtfulness in a beautifully condensed form.

Think of stocking stuffers as a curated collection rather than a grab-and-go afterthought. Aim for items that feel useful, memorable, or quietly luxurious. 

Here’s some holiday shopping advice for stocking stuffers: 

• Travel-size glam kits packed with silk scrunchies, a mini hand cream, a nourishing lip balm, and a subtle fragrance.

• Jewelry surprises like stud earrings, delicate bracelets, or a compact pendant that feels like a treasure, not a trend.

• Mini luxe lotions or hand creams in elevated, spa-quality formulas, perfect for winter-weary hands.

• Thoughtful notes, such as a quote written on heavy stationery, an inside joke, or a simple sentiment signed with care.

• Small accessories like premium glove liners, scarf clips, card cases, or a keepsake ornament they’ll use again next year.

• Tasty treats, such as artisan chocolates, specialty tea sachets, or a single-serving tin of buttery shortbread.

• Self-care minis, including eye masks for the morning after a celebration, a nail oil pen, or a research-backed skin booster.

11. Give Gift Cards 

Gift cards aren’t necessarily less personal. In fact, they are often more precise. Giving someone the freedom to choose exactly what complements their life or their closet is a great way to go, especially for the pickier people on your list. Gift cards shine when sizes are hard to confirm, preferences are specific, or the holidays are approaching faster than you thought. 

For the final stretch of last-minute Christmas shopping, gift cards are the perfect rescue plan. Chico’s gift cards are a thoughtful way to surprise your stylish friends. With a Chico’s gift card, they can choose something elegant and effortless—proof that the most intentional gifts may come in the smallest boxes. 

Enjoy Stress-Free Holiday Shopping at Chico’s

Holiday shopping can feel effortless when you plan with intention. Chico’s makes it easy to find stylish, versatile pieces that work beyond the season, from the latest fashion trends and chic denim outfits to polished outfits for important events. Timeless staples, like a flattering A-line dress, layered knits, or cozy outerwear, offer sophistication and practicality, ensuring gifts are both thoughtful and wearable.

For added flexibility, gift cards provide a perfect solution for last-minute gifting or uncertain sizes, while hassle-free returns give confidence with every purchase. Whether you shop in-store or online, Chico’s makes it simple to find curated wardrobe favorites and gifts that delight, letting you enjoy the season with calm, confidence, and style.