If you are like me, you have started to make a shopping list of who and what you’re going to be getting friends and family this Christmas. I like to get started way before Thanksgiving making a list, that way I have an idea if I’m going to try and do the “crazy Black Friday” shopping or not. If you’re not like me, I’m going to help you get organized with your holiday shopping list and get ready for the season. Plus, I’ve got a free printable shopping list.
Here are my tips to get your budget ready for shopping this holiday season:
- Sit down and figure out your entire budget for all of you Christmas gifts.
- Decide what percentage of that budget will go to who – friends, family, co-workers, teachers, etc.
- Make a list of your friends, family, co-workers, teachers, etc. using THIS printable
- Divide up each of your friends and family and decide how much you’ll spend on each.
- All of these are important steps in order to stay both organized and not break the bank! You also want to be sure to remember every niece, nephew, cousin, or friends that you have wanted to give a gift to – big or small. Year after year, we were giving each other gift cards for the exact same amount {even with doing a secret Santa} and just decided not to give each other gifts at all, just the kids! So, that made my list much shorter and easier!
Now, here are my shopping tips:
- Look online! If you have the time now, the best way to get good deals is to check there first!
- Black Friday deals: If you are able to and have the stamina, find the best Black Friday deals on the things you have budgeted for.
- Cyber Monday: This is MY favorite shopping time. I’d prefer to shop online and have it delivered to me. But, if you’ve had your eye on something, it’s an easy way to shop.
- If your the type that prefers to go into the stores, go early in the morning or weekday mornings if at all possible. You can avoid a lot of lines and crowds this way. If it’s not possible, Wednesdays are generally the slowest day of the week to go shopping so try to head there anytime on Wednesday.
- Can’t think of anything to get the person who has WAY too much stuff and clutter. These gifts that don’t cause clutter are the perfect item for just that person!
- If you need last minute stocking stuff ideas that are not going to cause clutter, I’ve got great ideas for those, too!
Get out there and kick that holiday shopping in the booty! You can do it and get it done fast and early! Make your goal to get done earlier than last year! Remember I have a FREE printable of three different lists for you to print up and use to get that shopping organized!
