CHRISTMAS SHOPPING.......don't be afraid, all the cool kids are doing it!

Yipppeeeeeee it's that time folks!  CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!  Are we excited?  Can't wait to hit the mall at a gallop?  Got just SCADS of cash laying around to spend! spend! spend!  Probably not so much I'd warrant. Ah yes, Christmas shopping can be the undoing of many a stalwart intrepid woman.  I won't even scratch the surface of what it does to men, after all, I'm here for da LADIES!  Sorry gents....
There are ways of making the experience a whole helluva lot easier my little buttercups, let's discuss.

THE EARLY SHOPPER AND PLANNER
You know her and probably secretly despise her, but she's got it right!  Of course it's too late to be her THIS year but there's always next!  There's a few ways to be this paragon of shopping virtue and essentially it comes down to planning.  The smartest thing I ever saw and continue to aspire to is having a notebook with all the people you regularly buy gifts for listed.  Everyone gets their own page.  Each page is divided into two columns marked GIVEN and IDEAS (or any version you fancy). 

There's a blurb on the person in question that lists their sizes, colour preferences, likes, dislikes, hobbies, and anything you can think of that will help you understand what that person would most appreciate.  As ideas occur to you, or hints are dropped, you just populate them in your handy I AM THE QUEEN OF GIFT GIVING notebook!  This method not only kicks bum at Xmas but ALL YEAR LONG!

Sure, sure so it takes some commitment but seriously missus.....IMAGINE the benefits! 



THE GIFT CARD MAVEN

I myself would fall into this category, as would my entire family.  As a matter of fact, I'm converting more and more people to this wonderful FOOL PROOF method of shopping for your peeps!  A couple of years ago I gave everybody GAS for Christmas!!  Lemme s'plain......that year gas prices had gone bananas!  People lining up at gas stations to save a few pennies....it was MAYHEM!

 I anounced to my family that everyone was getting the SAME fabulous gift from me and they would guarantee LOVE it.  Naturally they couldn't imagine what the heck I was on about....how could they all possibly receive the same thing......I reiterated it was NOT cash.

Well it wasn't.  Anyhow....for the next couple of weeks after Xmas BOY did they ever appreciate NOT reaching into their wallets at the gas pump! 

It's one of those things that you open and think 'hey, this is a pretty good idea' but once you actually make your purchase of precisely what YOU want at the time......it's PRICELESS!


You can be specific about where the Gift Card can be redeemed.  Play it safe and go for a mall, if you know the recipient has no issues going to the mall to shop then done like dinner!  Or perhaps you wanna get one for a bloke......think where does he like to shop?  Canadian Tire, Walmart, Reno Depot, Home Hardware...you know the places.  Just think how totally chuffed he'll be when he espies his favorite guy thingy and gets it for FREE!!  hello...Brownie Points!!  And yet ANOTHER bonus of the omnipotent gift card.......you know damn well the stores are jacking up all their prices BEFORE Christmas and the best deals are to be found AFTER Christmas.  Well you'll get way more for you buck if your loved one gets to spend the gift during the SALES!  Plus, they can go on their time.....right away....save it for later......they have ALL the control and options.  Now THAT'S a gift and a half.

 I like to wrap up my gift cards in elaborate boxes with lots of pretty trim....all bought at the nearest dollar store of course!!  Don't be getting hozed on the wrapping my Lovelies!


THE SAVVY SHOPPER

Chances are whether you're one of the above or a combo of both, you're STILL going to have to venture out to retail bedlam.  There's ways of making that an easier experience too.  First of all, and this may seem like a 'no brainer' but there's no 'no brainers' here poppets.......choose the time you shop VERY CAREFULLY.  You do NOT want to get caught up in the teeming masses of lemmings, glomming about the mall, eyes glazed, slack jawed, ribbons of drool hanging from your horrified face......no you do not.  Unless there is absolutely no other option, stay clear of the malls and shops on the weekends and in the evenings.  I know, I know, it's challenging but you have to weigh your priorities.  If you're PREPARED with a list you can accomplish a TON on your lunch hour and include on that list WHERE you're going to get the goodies.  If you can go mid morning that's touted as being the best time to avoid the mobs.

ON LINE DEBUTANTE

I'm a HUGE fan of shopping on line and probably get most of my purchases from the Internet than an actual store!  If you're set up with PayPal you're LAUGHING all the way to the mail box, but even just with your credit card - just make sure you're on sites that are recognized and legitimate, Ebay's a MAJOR on line treasure!   Xmas shopping is no exception and here's a trick to save time.  Naturally you want to pay the lowest price, am I right?  Duh.  So you can comparison shop ON LINE rather than traipsing from store to store.  Even just to give you an idea of what you SHOULD be paying.  Nobody wants to get bent over the minibar financially - times are TOUGH!  Again, the bottom line remains having a list.  You MUST have some direction.....without it you're lost....a trail of croutons won't help you.  And why put yourself through the misery...it's the HOLIDAYS for heaven's sakes...you're supposed to be ENJOYING them!  Try to facilitate that as much as possible.

Here's a list of the 10 BEST WEBSITES AND TOOLS to make Christmas shopping easy - MERRY MERRY!!

GIFTS.COM

PRICE ADVANCE FIREFOX ADD-ON

RETAIL ME NOT

LIVE SEARCH CASHBACK

DEALIGHTED

AMAZON

SHOPPING.COM

SKY MALL

EBAY

GIFT CARDS

and remember darlings, you can google 'coupons' on line when shopping to check out if there are any money savers floating around for the site you're on!!  I do it all the time and save cabbage hand over fist!!