On downside, you may have to pay for shipping for product which in most cases would compare less to total of sales tax. And, by way, due to immense competition among internet-sellers, you may end up making a bargain by not paying taxes and not paying for shipping either. Free shipping – as it is called, is common on many internet sites these days. For an item priced at $1000 you would save as much as $90 as sales tax savings – all you do is pick right seller.

Early Shopping: Planning on shopping near beginning of season will give you ample time to compare prices on product at various sellers. During this process, you will form a ballpark estimate of item.

Let me remind you that variation of price can be any where from few dollars to few hundreds of dollars depending on original price of product, which makes it necessary for you to do this homework as to know kind-of best price before you finalize on buying product.

In addition, sellers usually hike prices as holiday season approaches so that they can display higher discount-numbers on their sale-advertisements. The higher discounts not only attract more customers but also compensate and compete prices for similar items at other stores. The fact is, even when you see greater discounts, you would not realize tangible savings around holiday season unless you end up getting an early bird discount. I am somewhat reluctant to say this is true all times, but is case in several occasions.

Team Shopping: Like in a workplace, collaborative shopping produces amazing results. You are not mandated to go to a shopping mall as a team, but exchanging ideas and information as a team would be advantageous.

Talk to your friends about their experience buying a similar item in past. Gather information about quality of product, prices at different stores, seller reputation, etc that play a vital role on your buying-decision. Moreover, ask your friends and relatives if they could share any discount coupons. If preferred customer, they would share coupons with you, which in turn would give you opportunity to cut down on final price. Beware that some sellers distribute non-transferable coupons in which cases you need to be creative to maximize your savings.

So finally: These ideas only scratch surface of iceberg. You can get innovative and creative to find best deals on market. Websites like www.techbargains.com, www.ecoupons.com, etc are some of few sites that gather information about greatest deals of day. Internet has many such great money-saving ideas.

Armed with this information, I am sure you would be able to craft a good plan which would save you many dollars each shopping trip. If you are meticulous enough, you would save at least $200 for every $1000 dollars spent. I guarantee it. If you deny my proposition or have a different opinion write to me and I will help you see potential of putting above facts to work.

Meats - Hams have a longer shelflife consider purchasing a Parma or San Danielle ham or pancetta which are all cured to take on a richer flavour. Salamis, Chorizio and other sausages usually require more thought when eating so avoid unless receive has a love for them.

Fish - You can get tinned anchovies or sardines are loved by some but not all. Somked salmon is perfect since it has a good shelf life, consider purchasing some gravlax with it and some dark rye bread.

Pasta & Rice - There are great varieties of dried pasta and perfect as a gift. Rice is not such a good option unless you got for a flavoured risotto version

Vegetables - Unless you are purchasing a few days before you cannot purchase fresh. Consider some more unusual flavours like dried porchinni mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, olives, roasted peppers in a jar with oil a comination of all would work.

Fruits & Nuts - Dates are traditional at christmas, again avoid fresh fruit and go for dried or long lasting foods like dried apricots, mixed nuts, dried banana apricot & apple are tasty snacks

Oils - Olive Oil is a common kitchen cooking oil, however you can get flavoured oils such as rosemary, chilli & basil. You can make your own by purchasing a glass bottle with cork stopped fill with an extraq virgin olive oil and then simply drop flavours in such as garlic and rosemary or my favourite fresh sundried tomatoes. Balsamic olive oil is another great dipping oil and a perfect compliment to this dish.

Non Food - Brown earthware or Tapas dishes are great to include in a hamper, if you have followed above contents you might want to purchase 2 small dishes for oils and 1 larger dish for breads. You could always consider a small cookbook or food lover book which are available in good book stores.

Sweet Hamper

Biscuits - Your supermarket will have a range of biscuits but shortbread is an older favourite. Why not make some of your own for that extra special touch.

Fruits & Nuts - This is same suggestion as savoury hamper, but consider nuts which are chocolate dipped or perhaps suger coated almonds

Sweets & Chocolate - Consider a rich chocolate majority of people prefer milk chocolate but if you are not sure include a small plain and milk to be on safe side.

Jams & Preserves - You can now find speciality jams such as champagne & strawberry whic is a little different to basic jams. I love to give honey a local variety

Non Food - Perhaps a chocolate fondue set or recipe/cook book

You can always mix 2 hamper suggestions. With these simple suggestions you are sure to give someone a yummy festive feast! Enjoy!