No matter where you live, crowds and Christmas always seem to go hand in hand.
So we set out in search of ways you can find that perfect gift, while managing to avoid the crowds.
Tis the season, as they say, for holiday shopping, and holiday traffic.
If you're losing your patience, trying to get from here to here, don't worry, you're not alone. All of us love the choices we can find at our area malls, but not all of us love the crowds, the traffic and the confusion, especially the closer it gets to Christmas.
That's why we decided to go on a search for some alternative options that will let you keep your sanity, while still finding that perfect gift.
Doing your Christmas shopping online lets you choose gifts at your convenience, 24/7 without waiting in line.
With a little detective work beforehand, you can score deals as good as those in the stores on Black Friday, without fighting the crowds.
Take a look at these comparison shopping sites.
Log on to www.dealio.com to get comparison prices on literally millions of products, www.pricegrabber.com will also help you compare online prices, and you can get price alerts sent directly to your inbox.
And on www.pricespider.com, you can compare prices, receive e-mail alerts, and even compare to the current price to what the item was selling for over the past six months, so you can tell if its a good deal or not.
Another benefit of online shopping? not only do you avoid the crowds, you avoid miles of traffic driving home with your purchases, since everything is shipped right to your doorstep.
And speaking of shipping, 80% of retailers surveyed say they plan to offer some form of free shipping during holidays.
Just check each retailer's website for details, and be sure to read the fine print.
On one particular day, December 17th, also known as free shipping day, hundreds of retailers will offer totally free shipping while ensuring delivery by Christmas eve. Log on to free shipping day dot com to find out who's participating.
You can also Turn on the TV to find good deals. Giant retailers QVC and the Home Shopping Network are gearing up to offer huge discounts for Christmas shoppers.
We all know that shopping online is a great way to avoid the crowds in the search for that perfect gift. But if you're one of those people who likes to pick and hold an item before deciding whether to purchase it as a gift, don't worry, we've got some ideas on how you can find that perfect gift while doing something good for your community, and avoiding the crowds.
One great idea is to visit one of the many holiday festivals and fairs that communities, schools and churches sponsor during the Christmas season.
Over the next several weekends, events ranging from the Festival of Lights to Christmas at Coteau to the Carencro Country Christmas, will provide family activities and holiday entertainment, while giving you the chance to purchase one of a kind arts and crafts, homemade items and other unique items perfect for gift giving.
You'll also be supporting local artisans and businesses. For a list click here www.lafayettetravel.com/visitors/eventsandfestivals/cajunandcreolechristmas/
Safari of Lights at the Zoo of Acadiana begins Friday November 27th and runs through December 13th, from to five to nine p.m. Each evening.
Le Grand Noel takes place this Saturday evening from five to eight in the quaint, local shops along Martin Luther King Drive in Grand Coteau.
Christmas at Coteau takes place the weekend of December 3rd through the 5th, and benefits the Academy of the Sacred Heart.
The festival of light kicks off Friday, December 4th in Lafayette's Oil Center, from five to ten p.m.
Carencro Country Christmas happens on Saturday, December 5th from nine a.m. To four p.m. at the Carencro Community Center.
Blue Rolfes
