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Busy schedules, unfavorable exchange rates and lengthy gift lists can make holiday shopping a nightmare. Hop online for stressfree, speedy spending.
APPAREL & ACCESSORIES
Update your family’s winter attire, acquire festive accoutrements, and fulfill a fashionista’s wishes at online department and apparel stores.
Department Stores: JCPenney, Belk and Macy’s offer free shipping on orders above $99, while Nordstrom promises free shipping regardless of dollars spent. The virtual department store Overstock.com grants military free membership to Club O for deals and free shipping.
Apparel, Shoes & Accessories: Kohl’s, Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, J. Crew, Online Shoes, Payless, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse and White House Black Market are APO-friendly clothing and shoe retailers. And because it is impossible to know if you have the perfect fit when cyber shopping, Zappos has free shipping and returns.
SPORTS & OUTDOOR GEAR
Browse Rocky Mountain Trail, Academy, Sierra Trading Post and GolfEtail for running shoes, camping gear and sports equipment. IslandSurf.com and BikeSomewhere.com have free shipping on totals above $50 and $75, respectively.
ARTS & CRAFTS SUPPLIES
Check out Hobby Lobby, Joann, Fabric.com and Quiltknit.com for crafting supplies. Use travel photos to create mugs, calendars, photo books, quilts, mouse pads and wall art at Shutterfly.com.
KIDS' ESSENTIALS
You won’t have to brave the crowds to buy the hottest toys at the Scholastic Store, Toys R Us and the Disney Store. Find child-care supplies, developmental toys and keepsakes for the newest family addition at Babies R Us and Nurtured Family.
ELECTRONICS FOR EVERYONE
Upgrade your home office or surprise that special someone with a big-ticket gift from Best Buy or Dell. But before that final mouse click, compare prices at online outlets.
GROCERIES
Order hard-to-find American candy to put in their stockings or secret ingredients for holiday casseroles.
NetGrocer: This website has an extensive organics section, as well as baby basics and kosher foods. Plus, you can view ingredients and nutrition facts.
ShopFoodEx: ShopFoodEx has an impressive stock of bulk merchandise, pet products and ethnic foods.
Military Food Express: Find a selection of Slim-Fast and South Beach products, gluten-free substitutes and personal care items from several top brands.
MULTI-CATEGORY
Super stores: For shopaholics, surfing online doesn’t provide the same satisfaction as rifling through the sales bins, but you’ll still get great deals at Target.com and Walmart.com.
Amazon: The megastore sells everything. Beware of third-parties that do not ship to APOs or charge to ship. GovX: Register at Govx.com to verify your military or civilian status and access discounts on top-notch clothes, electronics, outdoor provisions, handy gadgets and fitness must-haves.
SHIPPING TIPS
Weight, size and content guidelines apply to mail received at your APO box. Read about regulations and ask at your installation post office.
What are you waiting for? Shipping times are longer at the holidays, so grab your wallet, fire up the computer and get busy. Happy shopping!
