This is week 6 of the 12 weeks of Christmas! Hard to believe that there are only 47 days till Christmas! This week's topic is Shopping.
I love shopping, which is fortunate, since, as much as I enjoy it, my spouse dislikes it. His idea of shopping is browsing in the electronics store or bookstore. I enjoy the 'thrill of the hunt'. I am twice as pleased with a purchase if I found it on sale. Here are a few pointers to help you with your shopping.
1. Shop throughout the year. Even if you don't purchase your gifts right when you find them, shop for gift giving ideas. You have the best chance of finding what you want in the size you need if you start early. If you leave your shopping till the last minute you are more likely to overspend out of desperation. Plus, you don't have to fight for parking or shop in less than wonderful weather.
2. If a great gift idea comes to mind - write it down. I keep a journal just for that purpose. Pay attention to people's hobbies and preferences.
3. Consider buying at a thrift store or garage sale. You can often find BRAND NEW items for a fraction of the price of retail. Plus, you save yourself the sales tax. Remember that a dollar saved is MORE than a dollar earned because you shop with after-tax dollars.
4. Gift certificates can make great gifts if they are for businesses that you KNOW the person frequents. Some of our drugstores here stock gift cards for a variety of stores, not just their own. This can save time. In Canada gifts cards, by law, do not expire. Check out what protection the law gives you where you live. In Canada there are frequently terrific Boxing Week sales (particularly on electronics) so the the gift card recipient can stretch those dollars.
5. Homemade certificates for services like snow shoveling, or babysitting are really appreciated.
6. Pool your money with other family member members to buy one large gift rather than individual gifts.
7. Get gift receipts when possible and check out the store's return policy. Keep all the receipts in one location just in case you need to return something.
8. Homemade gifts add a personal touch. Just be sure to start them well in advance. You don't want to be knitting that second slipper on Christmas Eve!
I have most of my Christmas shopping already done for this year (please don't hate me). I hope to be totally finished by the end of November. So if you are out there in that crowded mall on Dec. 24th, don't look for me. And good luck!
I'm sure the others linking to Red Writing's blog have lots to share about Christmas shopping too. Let's have a look!
