Guide to last-minute Christmas presents, opening hours

With just under three days left until Christmas, thousands of shoppers are flocking to stores across Australia in their droves all searching for those perfect gifts.

Shoppers across the nation are expected to collectively spend close to $22.1 billion this festive season.

Here, FEMAIL has rounded up retailers’ opening hours, online delivery times, apps and services to help make those last-minute purchases a breeze.

This festive season Australian shoppers are collectively expected to spend in excess of $22 billion

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE HITTING THE STORES

Though time is running out and you’re likely consumed with the thought that you have so much to do before the big day, there’s no need to panic – just yet.

One of the things you need to know before stepping out to take on the masses who are also doing their last-minute Christmas shopping is store opening hours.

Rather than blindly heading out into the fray, take a savvy approach with the advantage of extended shopping hours.

Major retailers pulling out all the stops include David Jones and Myer.

Before blinding rushing out into the Christmas fray, check store opening hours as many are offering extended closing times

David Jones stores across NSW, ACT, Queensland and South Australia are open until 12am Friday 22 December, 10pm Saturday 23 December, and 6pm Sunday 24 December.

Hours for Myer stores across the country vary. Melbourne Myer stores are open until 12am Friday, December 22, 11pm Saturday, December 23 and 6pm December 24.

Sydney stores are offering shopping until 10pm Friday 22 and Saturday 23 December.

Electronic retailers Harvey Norman and JB-Hi Fi are expected to be busy, but their hours will remain the same.

CHRISTMAS TRADING HOURS
	Westfield Sydney (NSW)	Westfield Marion (SA)	Chadstone (VIC)	Forrest Chase (WA)	The Myer Centre (QLD)
December 19	9.30am – 9pm	9am – 9pm	9am – 12am	8am – 9pm	9am – 9pm
December 20	9.30am – 9pm	9am – 9pm	9am – 12am	8am – 9pm	8am – 9pm
December 21	9.30am – 11.59pm	9am – 11.59pm	9am – 12am	8am – 9pm	8am – 12am
December 22	9.30am – 9pm	12am – 9pm	9am – 12am	8am – 9pm	8am – 12am
December 23	9.30am – 7pm	9am – 6pm	8am – 12am	8am – 9pm	8am – 9pm
December 24	10am – 6pm	9am – 5pm	12am – 6pm	8am – 5.30pm	9am – 6pm
December 25	CLOSED	CLOSED	CLOSED	CLOSED	CLOSED
December 26	7am – 9pm	9am – 5.30pm	7am – 10pm	8am – 6pm	9am – 6pm

SMART SHOPPERS THINK ABOUT PRICEY PARKING

Finding a park is an issue for almost 60 per cent of Australian shoppers, an Aussie Farmers Direct survey found last year.

It ranked as more stressful than long queues at cash registers and battling large shopping crowds, the Herald Sun reports.

While some of the larger shopping centres offer free parking, note there are some which charge. It always pays to check before heading out so you’re not stung by sharp fees.

Apps like Park Me, Parkhound, Cheap Parking and iParked Here are all designed to help drivers score free or cheap parking or locate available spaces.

Be careful before jumping in the car to head to your local mall as not all offer free parking

HOW LONG LEFT TO SHOP ONLINE?

If leaving the comfort of your home at this time of year seems too much, and we can’t blame you, then shopping online is your go-to solution.

While there are only 72 hours left before the big day itself, it’s still possible to shop and get gifts delivered directly to your door.

Again, leading the charge for convenience shopping is the retail giant, David Jones.

A range of options are still available to Christmas shoppers who can’t make it to the store in time (stock image)

The store is offering various festive delivery options, depending on whether you live in Sydney.

Sydneysiders can receive same-day delivery for $15, although 1pm Saturday 23 is the cut-off time for Christmas deliveries.

‘Click and Collect’ is also available across all Australian David Jones stores on items purchased by 1pm and collected after 4pm.

DELIVERY AND COLLECTION TIMES

AMAZON AU

The recently arrived online retailer is advertising next business day deliveries for $9.99

amazon.com.au

JB HI-FI

Orders purchased online can be collected from JB Hi-Fi after two hours. Express delivery items will be received in one to two business days

jbhifi.com.au

COLES

Groceries for your Christmas feast can be ordered as late as Saturday morning to be delivered the next day

coles.com.au

DAVID JONES

Sydneysiders can receive same-day delivery for $15. Next business day delivery in other metro areas can be purchased for $12

OUTSOURCE YOUR SHOPPING TO THE PROFESSIONALS

Whether you want to recruit someone to do your Christmas shopping, hand-write your Christmas cards, source and collect your decorations or put up a gift you can’t be bothered dealing with, the job-sharing economy has grown three-fold this year.

And with people more tech-savvy but time-poor than ever, it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Got a trampoline you need assembling for your little ones on Christmas eve? Hit up Airtasker, who offer skilled and trustworthy people in any task or field.

The site have reported a huge surge in requests for people who can build trampolines, hand-write cards, wrap gifts, source Kris Kringle presents and bake homemade pavlovas this year.

And they’re not alone on the outsourcing bandwagon. Other sites including Sherpa, ASAP and Ladies Running Errands can all help you get what you need and when – at the click of a button of course.

OUTSOURCING EXPERTS

AIRTASKER

Airtasker is an Australian-owned company which allows people to outsource tasks and jobs they would rather not do.

airtasker.com

SHERPA

Sherpa offers a same-day delivery service for businesses and individuals living in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.

sherpa.net.au

LADIES RUNNING ERRANDS

Ladies Running Errands is a Sydney-based service helping the elderly out with whatever they need – be it lifts to appointments or Christmas shopping.

ladiesrunningerrands.com.au

ASAP

Looking to get something delivered in a hurry? Hit up Sydney-based service, ASAP, which promises that your delivery will arrive within 60 minutes.

getitasap.com.au

SHOPPING THE BEST DEALS

Once upon a time you had to wait until Christmas was over to snap up the best deals.

Not anymore.

A whole host of retail giants and popular labels have already began marking down items, ensuring you can pick up some quality, yet affordable gifts for your loved ones (or for yourself).

PRE-CHRISTMAS SALES

The department store chain is offering changing daily deals, such as clothing and kitchen appliances marked down by up to 50 per cent

myer.com.au

Hot on Myer’s heels is David Jones, who are also offering a ’12 days of Christmas’ discount spree. The sale includes 20 per cent off sunglasses

davidjones.com.au

SHEIKE

Fashion label Sheike is already offering up to 50 per cent off marked prices on dresses, skirts, handbags and other accessories

sheike.com.au

COUNTRY ROAD

Popular brand Country Road are also offering shoppers up to 50 per cent off online marked prices on shoes, accessories and childrenswear

countryroad.com.au

WITTNER

The shoe giant has slashed prices on a range of shoes in half. They are also giving 20 per cent off full-priced products purchased online

wittner.com.au

TONY BIANCO

Major competitor Tony Bianco have one of the biggest sales – cutting prices on their shoe range by up to 60 per cent

tonybianco.com.au

Though Christmas time is traditionally one of buying for nearest and dearest, it can also be a great time to snap up a few bargains for yourself (stock image)

NEED SOME LAST-MINUTE GIFTSPIRATION?

If you’re still struggling to think of the perfect gifts for your loved ones, there are places you can go for some last minute inspiration.

The Myer Christmas Giftorium is specifically designed as your one-stop shop for all your gift-giving needs.

There, you can personalise Nutella jars, pick up skincare sets or even find gifts for your cat or dog.

But when in serious doubt – or you’re just wanting to play things safe for a fussy relative – a voucher from a major retailer will never go astray.