commonramblings

Start planning the Winter Holidays with these five simple tips. Do this, and I promise you will slash your holiday spending by at least 25% or your money back (provided you do not pay anything to read this article but I have always wanted to make that money back promise) Step one: Run It List! You need to grab a pen and a piece of paper and write out who you need on Christmas gifts for now. This is the first and most important step.Do you buy gifts for everyone in your family, or do you do a Secret Santa Christmas Celebration? If you buy for your friends, or are you a holiday card only event. Think of the special people who you want to say a little thanks. Have your hairdresser deserves a little extra love this year? Your Mailman? Do not forget the teachers at your child's school and your children babysitters.Step Two: Set Those Dollar AmountsThis is my favorite part. I know it sounds crazy, why should I be so geeked up about setting spending limits, but I make it a breeze. I look at what my budget for Christmas is, say $ 500 and I share it out between people on my list. My children can be $ 100 each and my stylist might only be a $ 5 gift, but when I have it on paper I stick to it. No questions, no exceptions. If I say that I only want to spend $ 20 on a gift for a friend I do, if the light she has longed for is $ 21.99, so I either have to find a sale, a coupon, or hope that a second get it her.This may seem like a cruel and unusual way to get holiday gifts, but remember we made a list, a budget and now has six to seven months to go shopping. If the light does not go on sale in the next six to seven months so I do not know what store you are shopping at.Step Three: Decide on basic Gifting Themes for Each Person Right now you have a list with names and dollar amounts. It is time to do some thinking. What type of gift you wish to have each person. Would you like to bake cookies and put them in a creative tin, or would you put together a lovely basket filled with lovely scented goodies such as air fresheners, candles and matches for a loved one. Look at the list, think of the recipient, and write what you think. The beauty of this step is that you are not tied to your original ideas. These are easy fall-backs, so that four months from now, you can not say, gosh I do not know what to get for Cousin Sarah? Just look at the list and voila, you can refer back to your original idea.My sister loves the color pink, so on my list, I just write "all things pink" and go from there with her theme.Step Four: Start Shopping Partners the beauty of this plan is that you have the next six months to look for all sales. You know that every three months Bath and body works candle sells for $ 5 stock up! You have your budget, stick to it, but you need to be creative. I love the semi-annual sale, and find that 75% off Bath and Body Works or Victoria's Secret products are great gifts and you can get them at a fraction of the cost.You know you have a lot of shopping to do plan a day to go to an outlet mall. I think outlet malls can be incredible places to stock up on goodies for a fraction of the cost. Plan a day when you will run out to your local outlet mall and hit Pottery Barn Outlet or Bath and Body Works Outlet. Stock up and save! Never underestimate the power of a good Internet sales. Do your research and find the lowest prices on the products you want. You can often times find coupon codes online at sites like Coupon Cabin or current codes. I always do a search on the Internet for free shipping codes for internet shop I think of using.Step Five: Package Makes PerfectIt sounds cheeky, but it is true, it's all about packaging. In fact, sometimes the packaging itself outshines gifts. I love to go to Joanne Fabrics, or any other Crafter and buy bulk bags of gifts and dressing them up! It's time to break out of glitter pens, make sure you have filled up on filter paper, and for God's sake, do not forget the many exciting ways to tie a bow.Planning before and after these simple tips can ensure you will not be pulling your hair out or trying to shake them last penny out of your piggy bank to pay for holidays.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.