Don’t Stress About It!
Can you believe it? August 1st was here like a week ago, and now it’s already September! Seriously, where does the time go? Kids have just barely started back to school when everywhere you look you will see not only Haloween candy and decorations but Christmas decorations lurking on the very last aisle of Target and Walmart and even on the shelves of Things Remembered just to name a few places. But there’s no need to worry mate, I’m here to help you get your “shopping groove on!” This is the best time to get a step ahead of the Christmas shopping frenzy!
It’s All About Getting Organized
For me, it’s a fault and a blessing. A blessing because I can always count on me doing it right, for the most part anyway….and a fault because I can’t understand why others sometimes don’t feel the same way I do about getting organized. Yes, I am O.C.D…….I’ll own it. But it works for me.
- Set yourself a budget. This should be your first priority.
- Make a list. This list needs to include everyone you need to buy a gift for, friends, relatives, coworkers, the postal worker, hairdresser and for me even the older man that is the crossing guard that waves to everyone every morning. He’s on my list too!
- Buy gift cards starting now, and every week if you can. Gift cards make the very best gift, and if you spread out the time when you’re buying them, your wallet won’t notice such a huge cut.
- “Wrap It Up!” Any gifts that you start buying, wrap them up, place the gift tag, with the name and put it away. This cuts down on the stress of trying to wrap everything all at once.
- Set a gift-buying limit for each person. It is so easy to go overboard….we all do it. Try and cool your heals and don’t overdo it!
- Layaway!! Look for stores that offer layaway. This is one of the best ways to shop, with little money down and with time to pay it out….it’s hands down one of my favorite ways to shop!
Keep Things To A Minimum
The holidays are wonderful, but people really do forget what the season is all about and have a tendency to go overboard with all of the gift buying. Don’t get me wrong at all. I would love for everyone reading this post, to click over to any of the advertising sponsors on my site and do all of their holiday shopping from the comfort of their own home, and “shop till you drop!” So, by all means…keep that in mind after you finish reading this post! 🙂
Always remember “The Reason of the Season”
What Happened to Christmas Cards?
I’m beginning to believe that Christmas card giving is becoming almost as extinct as dinosaurs!! It’s as if giving and receiving Christmas cards has become a thing of the past. I used to send out over thirty Christmas cards every year and would always get just as many in return. But as the years have passed the number of cards I receive from others has been cut in half. I feel that the reason for this is a toss-up between the high cost of postage and well….the internet. Did you know that you can send an E-Card? Well, you can and as impersonal as it is, this is the way of the “Christmas-Card” world. Not, for me…I’m old school and prefer the personal touch of a hand-written anything!
Oh Christmas Tree
The best time to purchase Christmas decorations is definitely after Christmas. On December 26th, when everyone is busy returning presents that didn’t fit or that they didn’t like, I would always check out the back of the store where everything Christmas is 50% off and if you continue to check back every few days, the percentage off will be even greater than that.
Chances are, if you’re like me, you will buy the decorations after Christmas and promptly pack them away. Then the following holiday season when you’re pulling out your decorations, you’ll be surprised at all of the new “stuff” you bought on sale the year before! It’s like an early Christmas present for decorating your home and your tree.
Holiday Shopping….Love It or Hate It
I am more of a gift card or cash giver during the holidays. Except for my mom, younger grandkids and coworkers, they get actual gifts. Our kids are grown and so are some of the “older” grandkids. They’re all too hard to buy for, and for that, they know they’re either getting cash or a gift card and their just fine with that.
I’m all about the time that is spent with family and friends during the holidays. This is why I do my best to shop early and I really try and shop smart! Yes, I have fallen off of the “budget wagon”, but for the most part have stayed on point and hopefully you will too.
Tis the Season! You can’t beat ’em…so you may as well join ’em. “Happy Holiday Shopping” my friends…..until we meet again.
XO—Brenda
Nice one.
Thank you. 🙂
Wow Christmas shopping! I use to be done by end of October. Now I’m lucky if I start by October. It seems to me every year really dies fly by faster.
Thanks for the ideas and the reminder that Christmas is kess than 4 months away! 😉
Carolyn
Thanks, Carolyn. Gift cards..they always work for me!LOL 🙂
Time is flying!! This post has some great ideas. Taking note 💛
Great tips! I can’t believe how fast this year has gone! I still do Christmas cards. I love sending and getting them! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Kimberly, and you’re so welcome!! 🙂
I love the idea of starting to buy things every week or so, that is such a smart way to shop! Very informational post!
Thanks, Ashlee!!
Love having the shopping done before December. It makes it feel like I can actually enjoy the month and be totally present during the holiday-not rushing around last minute and freaking out over the budget and what to get. No no no, shop early and relax later. 🙂
I couldn’t agree more, Patty! 🙂