What is the best day to acquire those key tech tools this holiday season? Most would say, ‘well, Christmas because Santa knows exactly what I want.’ Not quite, it would be Boxing Day! For those of you in non-Commonwealth connected countries, Boxing Day is a shopper’s dream holiday that comes on December 26.
It is ideal because you can indulge in all Santa didn’t bring: Google Glass, a new laptop or the latest backup software so you’re quickly up and running after losing your old laptop during your holiday traveling.
Before setting out on this newly discovered holiday (Americans), here are a few tips to keep you at the forefront and make the most of the holiday.
1. Analyze
What did you receive yesterday? Your relatives, friends and love ones all care, but don’t necessary think about the additional tools your new toys require. Did you receive a Mac, while you previously only ever had a PC? Are your previous applications and software compatible or will you need to find a few new add-ons? Think about what protection you'll need: be that security or backup. Get beyond the new smell quickly and identify how you can be using your new toys both at home and work. Get to the store or Internet the very next day, so you can make all the necessary purchases and start using those new gadgets to their full potential.
2. Oldy but Goldy?
Did your significant other just help you upgrade your mp3 player or smartphone? Unsure what to do with that old hunk of junk that actually still works like a charm? Not sure where or how to recycle that older external hard drive or smartphone? Boxing Day, like Christmas, isn’t only about receiving—it’s about giving too. So make use of those not-so-new pieces of hardware and sell them to the next guy looking for a deal on Boxing Day! Get on eBay or craigslist to avoid clutter in your home and to ensure that you can recoup losses from this past Christmas.
3. Be Honest
Your parents and siblings know you pretty well, but let’s be honest, some of the gifts they give are pretty whack. Don’t just toss it into a closet to collect dust, suck it up and let them know that you are going to return it.
Once you have that receipt, don’t go back on Boxing Day. Wait until after the weekend so you avoid the lines and grumpy/exhausted retail employees. With the magical receipt, you can get a gift card, sometimes cash and at worst an exchange.
Now, it may be hard or impossible to tell the gift-giver that you aren’t too fond of their gift. If you are without a receipt, never fear! Just be ready to handover your ID and expect to receive a gift card in exchange. Most stores will give gift cards up to a certain price per year for returns without a receipt. However, expect to receive the lowest price that the item was sold for in the past 60 days.
How did you make the most of your holiday season? What were some key applications that helped you fill out the toys that you received?
About Acronis
A Swiss company founded in Singapore in 2003, Acronis has 15 offices worldwide and employees in 50+ countries. Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud is available in 26 languages in 150 countries and is used by over 20,000 service providers to protect over 750,000 businesses.
