Organize Your Christmas Shopping

Guess what? If you organize your shopping plans you will spend at least one third less than you normally do! You know that when you go grocery shopping without a list you always end up buying more than you need as well as, a bunch of stuff you don't need! What makes you think Christmas shopping would be any different? Don't you always end up with a gift that you don't know what to do with?

Wouldn't it be nice to start off the new year without any debt incurred from Christmas shopping? Wouldn't it be nice to actually enjoy the holiday without worrying about whether or not people like their gifts or how you are going to pay those credit cards you used to buy them?

Step One ~ Make a List

Make a list with the names of each person you have to buy a gift for. Make sure to leave extra space for those that you purchase more than one gift for. I usually put all of my "other" gifts one side of the page and then my husband and children on the other side.

Step Two ~ Write Down Your Ideas

Sit down with your list and write down a couple of ideas for each person. Try to write down things you think they would like or things you know they need or want. Go ahead and ask them if you can't figure anything out! Most people would rather tell you what they want than receive a gift they don't want!

Step Three ~ Shop Twice

Trying to shop for a lot of people at once can be very tedious and you will find that if you shop twice you'll not only save a lot of money, but you will be less aggravated and more likely to find great deals on gifts! I suggest you shop for all of the children on your list during one trip and then shop for all of the adults during another.

Step Four ~ Wrap It Up!

That's right people! Wrap those gifts as soon as you get home from the store with them. Then add bows and tags so you don't forget who they go to! By doing that you will save a huge amount of time on Christmas eve and Christmas Day!

By following these simple steps, your Christmas shopping will be less stressful, more enjoyable and I guarantee you spend less money!