Christmas Shopping Made Easy

    

                                           

     Aahh, it's that time of year that I love the most, the HOLIDAYS! This is the time of year that family and friends get together and make memories for years to come. My favorite holiday is Christmas and it is not because I believe in Santa Clause, but because I love to buy presents and spend time with my loved ones. I enjoy going into stores and shopping around even if I am not buying anything and shopping for Christmas allows me to do all of that. Although, Christmas shopping can be fun, we all know how stressful it can be especially if you are on a budget. But there are a few things that you can do to minimize the stress while also getting the most out of your money. Let's get right into it! 

1. Know your limit

    This is probably one of the most important things to keep in mind. You need to know how much money you have available to spend on gifts. Christmas is a special holiday but you should not spend more than you can afford. Unfortunately, bills do not stop coming just because it is Christmas, please be responsible and make a reasonable budget for you and your family.

2. Plan ahead

    Now, this might not be so clear but hear me out. I am BIG when it comes to planning things. My life would be very hectic if I did not plan things out as much as I do.When you give yourself more time to shop around it will prevent you from having to buy something in the nick of time. This is important because some items can become more expensive when they are low in stock. 

    If you are able to do so, try to go shopping during earlier holidays of the year such as 4th of July, Labor day, Veteran days or even the day after Thanksgiving for black Friday. Take advantage of those holiday deals and start Christmas shopping early. This way you are able to collect presents over time, just make sure to hide the presents in a secret place because 4 months can be a long time to hide presents.

3. Kids outgrow toys fast 

    I know that as parents and grandparents, we want to spoil our kids with presents on Christmas. But, that does not mean that they need the most expensive gifts out there. Kids grow up very quickly, and the things you buy them this Christmas, they probably won't even play with after a few months. For smaller children, I recommend presents that are educational but also fun. They are usually cheap and useful. For the older kids, I recommend focusing on a few small items that you are certain they would enjoy, it can be a new video game, a new purse, or even a gift card for them to have the freedom to buy whatever they want. It's the thought that counts.

4. Don't be afraid of thrift stores

    The thrift store is a great place to go shopping on a budget. The thrift store sells a variety of items like, clothes, shoes, furniture, decorations, toys, and even more that were previously donated by a good Samaritan. The best part about thrift stores is their incredibly low prices. I do recommend choosing items that can be disinfected or washed properly and in working condition before purchasing. It might also make you feel good to know that when you buy from the thrift store you are helping raise money for a charitable cause.

5. If you can't do it, then don't do it

    There has been a few times where I had to tell my relatives that I was not going to be able to participate in gifts for Christmas because I had financial obligations at the time that could not allow me to do so. We are adults and should be more understanding to this. Some people took it well, while my mother.....not so much. I never understood why it was such a big deal to her but I always thought spending time together was more important. But, if you truly cannot afford it this year, there is nothing wrong with sitting this one out.

When the shopping is done.........

Don't forget to Relax. Christmas shopping should not be so stressful. If it does become too much for you to handle make sure to take a break and give yourself some alone time. At times we can get so caught up with wanting to make sure others are happy that we can forget about our own happiness. The holidays are all about being with each other and creating memories so do just that!