Shop Now and Save (Your Sanity) Later

Next week is November and while it is VERY, VERY hard to believe, the holidays are right around the corner. Before the stores get too hectic and the traffic gets too bad, beat the crowds and save yourself some time and avoid the headaches that can often accompany holiday season shopping.

What to do now:

1. Make a list. Keep a list of all of the people to whom you will be giving gifts. Start brainstorming ideas and use this as a reference when it comes time to buy. This might even give you time to think outside the box! For example, instead of giving your dad another tie, you could give him a "gift certificate" for a day with you. Treat him to lunch and then take him to a movie or to play golf.

2. Take your children to a toy store and let them roam around. Watch closely and note which toys they are most drawn to. Make a list and go back to the store later to purchase the items.

3. Tear out pages from magazines with gift possibilities. Organize these in an accordion folder with a section for each family member and/or friend.

4. Capitalize on the opportunity to give. Instead of thinking of giving as a chore, take advantage of the chance you have to show someone that you really put some thought and effort into their gift. Thoughtfulness goes farther than money spent!

Gift ideas for little ones (ages 1-4, approximately):

*Nerf dart launchers (Nerf N-Strike Maverick Blaster)

*Wooden or plastic table and chairs

*Sensory ball

*Books (make it a tradition to give each child a special book every Christmas)

*Toy medical kit

*Little People

*Legos

*Toy cash register

*Sit 'N Spin (Playskool)

*Puppet show stage and puppets

*Grocery cart with groceries

*Magic kit

*Accessories to an item that they already have (e.g. for a train set or doll house)

*Scooter and helmet

*Dress-up costumes

*Melissa and Doug toys/puzzles

*Leap Frog

*Tent and tunnel

*Playdough activity kit

*Easel and art supplies

*Pet fish

*Bean bags

*Tool box

*Soccer goal/ball, basketball goal/ball, golf set, etc.

*Musical instruments

*Board games: Hungry Hippo, Hi-Ho Cherry-O, Chutes and Ladders, Candyland (even if your child is younger, you can modify the rules until he/she is older)

Where to shop:

*Target

*Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Steinmart, Tuesday Morning

*Dollar Store

*Kid's Consignment Shops

*Sam's/Costco

*Craigslist

*On-line

**Don't forget to look for coupons on-line before you shop. Keep them in a small accordion folder in your pocketbook or your car so they will be accessible whenever you're able to get to the stores.

Buy now:

These books are great for preparing yourself/your family for the Christmas season. Or you can give them as gifts!

*Treasuring God in our Traditions, Noel Piper

*Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, Nancy Guthrie

*The Christmas Lover's Handbook, Lasley Gober (This is a shameless plug for my mom's book that is no longer in print! I've found it on Amazon.com in recent years though, so it's worth a try!)