- Make a plan. Know what and how many gifts you are buying.
- Know who you are buying for.
- Start cashing in Swagbucks and other Rewards. (some take a long time to get)
- Set a budget and STICK to it.
- Find a safe place to store gifts where the kids don't find them.
It is easy when you start far out like this to overbuy! That is why you have to be disciplined, have a list and a budget. In the frenzy of other shoppers in December, panic can set in that you need to keep buying although you have thought you were done. I have felt this way so many times and try really hard to avoid places where I feel like I need to keep buying.
I like to start early so that I can get the best deals, and BE DONE early. I love to spend December celebrating the season with my family and not shopping. I have in the past, made my husband and children miserable by killing ourselves running around everywhere right up until Christmas Eve. I just decided I wasn't going to do it anymore.
How do you Christmas Shop? What are your tips?
4 comments:
That's how you do it. I've always been impressed with you and how well you shop. I wish I was more like that.
I don't have many to buy for and most of them are in the dreaded teenage age group where they just want money or gift cards (but we usually try and pick up a gift or two anyway!). Because of my small list, I bought ALL of my gifts online last year on the Monday after Thanksgiving. The deals were awesome, I got free shipping, and all of my shopping was done without leaving the comfort of my pjs!
I have to agree with everything you said. I have six children also (2 teens, 2 preteens and 2 younger children). I have found there are lots of deals on toys for younger kids but not so much for the older ones (except sometimes on computer/video games). I have a budget of $150 per child (retail price---not the price I actually paid if I got the item on sale). No more. I have to shop early and throughout the year because we not only have the Christmas for the six kids but three of them have birthdays within a month of Christmas!! Last year I did quite a bit of shopping nearer the Christmas season and it's so easy to get caught up in the frenzy!! Also---even if something is a great deal, if your kid doesn't like/want it, it's a waste of money (speaking from experience here!). So I'm getting them each maybe three nice things that they really want, and that's it.
In continuation of my comment---I avoid Black Friday shopping like the plague!! I know some people love it but I did it once, a few years ago, and just could not stand it. Some people love it though.
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