If you're anything like me you love getting your Christmas shopping done early. When you do you get loads of free time to stress about meal plans, try your hand at DIY centerpieces and brief all your guests on the topics they shouldn't talk to your Uncle Morty about. But, in order to do that you need to know how to get your Christmas shopping done early. Luckily, you have me, a second generation early shopper to guide you with tips and tricks learned over many years! Below are my tips on getting your Christmas shopping done early. Enjoy!
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Know Who You're Buying for
That's right, make a list and check it twice, and make sure that most of the people you plan to buy for are on your list. I usually keep a list of who I bought for the year before and what I got them. The core people on the list like my two sisters, my cousin and my son usually stay the same so I make sure they are on the list every year. This is seriously the most important thing to do when getting your Christmas shopping done early.
Be on the Lookout for Seasonal Sales
Every season certain things go on sale. For instance, back to school is a great time to buy clothes, and the end of summer is also a great time to buy bikes and camping gear. Just make sure that you keep an eye out for things that you want to go on sale.
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Don't Buy Anything That Will Spoil
Sounds like common sense right? Wrong! I once had a friend (whose name I will not mention because it's totally me) that liked to buy her parents a set of cocoa mugs, gourmet cocoa and a blanket every year. So, at the end of the Christmas season, she bought up a lot of Christmas themed Cocoas and Chocolates and put them away in her gift box. At Christmas when I...I mean she, took them out of the box, she found them spoiled and melty. So, make sure you don't buy any food or anything that can spoil.
When Going Homemade, Know How Long Projects Will Take
This year, I plan to make my boyfriend a huge canvas print of one of his favorite comic strips. In order to do this I have to hand paint a 4 foot by 3 foot canvas, I know that with my son, work and school I have to start this project by September. So, if you plan to do anything homemade be sure that you know just how long your project will take yo. It wouldn't be very good to fall behind and have to scrap an idea halfway through.
Don't Buy Anything Someone Can Outgrow
If you're buying for kids, always, always, ALWAYS buy at least a size too big. Kids grow REALLY fast, so even if whatever you buy them doesn't fit right away, it will - trust me. It's much better to buy something that's too big than to buy something that's too small!
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Know What You're Buying
I don't mean that you have to know exactly what you're buying for everyone on your list but you should have a vague idea of what kind of thing you're looking for for everyone. That way you can keep an eye out for sales, and you'll also be able to budget properly!
Have "Surprise" Gifts Ready
I told you that it was very important to have a list of the people that you plan to buy for but something ALWAYS comes up. You wind up being sucked into a Secret Santa, you make a new friend at work the week before Christmas, your Uncle Morty brings his new girlfriend with him when you aren't expecting them etc, etc... My point is, always have a few impersonal gifts just in case. - like a bath set or an iTunes giftcard.
Well ladies, these are my tips for getting your Christmas shopping done early! You should also remember that it's never too early to start your Christmas shopping (I mean December 26th is a great day for returns and clearance.) How do you get your Christmas shopping done early? Let me know down below!
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