I am not very big on saving time. I think it's because I'm not super organized...even though I have tried to be! I am huge on saving money though.Have you heard of those people who do their Christmas shopping before the shopping season even begins? That's me! Every year, I try to pick up items throughout the year that would be good for this or that person (even buying stuff the day after Christmas and holding on to it for a year). I then store them in a closet where they wait to be wrapped. I keep track of what I have in a little notebook. This usually saves a lot of money and it also saves a lot of time. Waiting in those long lines to check out just drive me crazy! So I say, get your Christmas shopping done early and enjoy your free time while everyone else is packed in the mall! It works for me!
This is an awesome time--and money!--saver! We started on a cash budget right about Christmas time last year, and one of the things I realized was that we spend a LOT on gifts, at Christmas and year round. So after Christmas I picked up birthday gifts for every kid on our "birthday list"...and wrapped them! It's been awesome to be able to head into the closet and pick up a wrapped gift on our way out the door to parties, and I picked up stuff that I would have paid full price for, anyway! :)
ReplyDeleteKama -
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good idea... and every year as Christmas approaches I wish I had planned ahead better... maybe I should start putting some thought into it NOW.
This is a great idea for all the above mentioned reasons...but the biggest reason I like to shop early is that I get to enjoy the season for what it is and should be and not stress over all the gifts.
ReplyDeleteI also love to shop ahead for presents. Not only does it save time and money during the holiday season, but I feel like I can find the perfect gift for each of my loved ones when I don't wait until the last minute. My gifts tend to be a lot more personal and thoughtful when I haven't purchased them in December. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this! I want to have a Christmas like Stephanie described! I am going to work on our Christmas gift list right now. I do have a few gifts purchased already, but have more to do!
ReplyDeleteIm one of those people too!!! I started because Ive always worked in kids stores.. and christmas was my least favorite time of year because of it.. people are mean and nasty that time of year. so I try to get one present a month A. so i wont spend a ton of money at one time and B. so I dont have to deal with all those mean and nasty people fighting over tickle me elmo or whatever
ReplyDeleteI've been shopping throughout the year this year, too (actually picked up a couple of things on clearance at Border's this week) but unfortunately I haven't been keeping track as well as I could. Getting a more organized list is on the agenda for this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI can't bring myself to start before about June. I just started last month, and have about 4 gifts already. Several others are planned. Each year I wonder about starting earlier though...maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteThis is mart. And I do try to shop throughout the year. Then in the fall I get serious and make a list and see what is left to get.
ReplyDeleteThis year I am dreading the task.
:)
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