Christmas in September
Despite the fact that most people think I'm crazy, I start my Christmas shopping in August. In fact, today is only September 1st and I've already finished 7 people.
Now I'm not going to go on and on about why you should start early, instead I'll simply be sharing my shopping tips with you just in case... And I will tell you that I have been able to find the "hot items" every year for the past eight years. That includes last year's Doc McStuffin's Check-Up Center and that year that the Xbox Kinect came out.
Today is about your prep...
Step 1: Who do you need to shop for?
Get out a piece of paper and list everyone who needs a gift. And I mean EVERYONE. Family, friends, teachers, the mailman, everyone. Even if you usually give them nothing but homemade Christmas cookies, write them on the list. Organization is essential.
Step 2: Develop a budget per person.
This step is insanely important because it is so easy to overspend. It also makes it much easier to brainstorm gift ideas because now you have a specific price range to focus on.
Step 3: Put it in a Spreadsheet.
Don't roll your eyes - trust me here.
Column 1: List everyone's name.
Column 2: How much you would like to spend on this person.
Column 3: Gift ideas.
Column 4: What you've purchased.
Column 5: How much you've spent.
Optional Column 6: Is it wrapped? (Y/N)
Once this is created, fill in the information from Steps 1 & 2.
Step 4: Pick a finish date.
What is the absolute last date you want to finish your holiday shopping? Go write it on your calendar to keep yourself motivated. I usually set my date for around December 15th. This gives me plenty of time to wrap everything, the mailman plenty of time to deliver any last-minute packages, and time to run to the store in case I forgot anything or my daughter suddenly remembers something important she forgot to ask Santa for.
This year, however, I'm setting my date even earlier. Since we are going on vacation the first week in December, I am setting my date for Black Friday - November 28th.
Step 5: Use your Amazon wishlist.
Create a new PRIVATE Amazon wishlist and download the Amazon wish list button for your browser menu. Anytime you see something on any site that you may want to get for someone, add it to your list. BUT make sure you add a comment. I always put the date and the current price as well as the website. Then update it regularly. Price tracking it will help you get the best possible deal.
Okay that's enough for today. But get out those credit cards for tomorrow - I have a really exciting pre-order to tell you about.
Now I'm not going to go on and on about why you should start early, instead I'll simply be sharing my shopping tips with you just in case... And I will tell you that I have been able to find the "hot items" every year for the past eight years. That includes last year's Doc McStuffin's Check-Up Center and that year that the Xbox Kinect came out.
Today is about your prep...
Step 1: Who do you need to shop for?
Get out a piece of paper and list everyone who needs a gift. And I mean EVERYONE. Family, friends, teachers, the mailman, everyone. Even if you usually give them nothing but homemade Christmas cookies, write them on the list. Organization is essential.
Step 2: Develop a budget per person.
This step is insanely important because it is so easy to overspend. It also makes it much easier to brainstorm gift ideas because now you have a specific price range to focus on.
Step 3: Put it in a Spreadsheet.
Don't roll your eyes - trust me here.
Column 1: List everyone's name.
Column 2: How much you would like to spend on this person.
Column 3: Gift ideas.
Column 4: What you've purchased.
Column 5: How much you've spent.
Optional Column 6: Is it wrapped? (Y/N)
Once this is created, fill in the information from Steps 1 & 2.
Step 4: Pick a finish date.
What is the absolute last date you want to finish your holiday shopping? Go write it on your calendar to keep yourself motivated. I usually set my date for around December 15th. This gives me plenty of time to wrap everything, the mailman plenty of time to deliver any last-minute packages, and time to run to the store in case I forgot anything or my daughter suddenly remembers something important she forgot to ask Santa for.
This year, however, I'm setting my date even earlier. Since we are going on vacation the first week in December, I am setting my date for Black Friday - November 28th.
Step 5: Use your Amazon wishlist.
Create a new PRIVATE Amazon wishlist and download the Amazon wish list button for your browser menu. Anytime you see something on any site that you may want to get for someone, add it to your list. BUT make sure you add a comment. I always put the date and the current price as well as the website. Then update it regularly. Price tracking it will help you get the best possible deal.
Okay that's enough for today. But get out those credit cards for tomorrow - I have a really exciting pre-order to tell you about.
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