I have pretty much finnished up our Christmas Shopping… AND I am not very good at keeping secrets so I am going to try my best NOT to reveal what I have purchased for my dear loved ones ( I’d like to think that they read this blog in support)…

My tips are…

1) START EARLY!

Usually when I shop around during the year…usually during the ‘Sale’ times… I get ideas about what I think people would like… and then come Christmas time… I usually forget what that idea was. SO the past year I decided to just buy them throughout the year. THIS way it also spreads out the ‘cost of Christmas’. It doesn’t hit you all at once in DECEMBER.

2) Write up a budget

Sounds like a logical task but you’d be surprised how many people get carried away with the presents shopping. This way you’ll know your limit… AND you have a gauge about how much you’ll end up spending so you .. or more like your partner… can brace themselves. .

I’ve listed people in catergories too. Family, Friends, and Thank yous.

I have In-Laws, and as much as I don’t like the idea of putting people into dollar values, but seriously… I think it is the only fair way to do it… and there’s no arguements about it ( NOT that I argue about In-Laws)….

For example and purely for illustration purposes…

1- Mum – $50

2- Dad – $50

1- Mum-In-Law – $50

2 – Dad-In-Law – $50

So if we decide to get a gift that is combined, it should total $100 for both… etc…

Anyway… this budget thing is also good in the sense that when you get a final total about how much  you’re expecting to spend, you can realise how much money you’re wasting but also can try to be more cut throat minus the budget.

I.e… if you are really only looking to spend a total of $300 on all gifts (ofcoarse not including the WIFE/HUSBAND present…) and you’re over by $50. CHOP IT! Spend $5 less on 10 people, or $10 less on 5.

3) Shop ONLINE

This is what I did anyway for a few items. I used to sell items on Ebay, and I used PAYPAL. Which is suppose to be all secure bla bla bla… BUT you have to pay them money to take that money out. SO I’ve kinda just left it and only today I remembered that I can make online purchases with that money… and NOT really take money out of my account. WOOHOO… The original budget is based on the money OUT of the bank account and credit card… BUT if it’s some where in cyber space PAYPAL… hehehehe it’s technically NOT from the budget. So then you can either be naughty and shift what you were suppose to spend on those people that you bought online from… ALL towards the WIFE/HUSBAND gift…. Or you can be nice… and spread it out to the rest of the people (BORING!!….).

4) Make SOME gifts

I’m planning to make some KAYA and bottle them and put them into hampers for family people and even neighbours. Cheap cheap and lots of love included. Missy A has put together most of her gifts to her uncles and aunties herself. Together we’ve made Christmas decorations, photo frames, food stuff, cards, framed paintings and drawings. (I think…)

5) Warn people…

Hehehe.. ok don’t use this one but it is a good excuse to give them a heads up that THIS YEAR is a “Economic Crisis Christmas”. I’m sure they’ll understand.

6) Write really thoughtful CARDS

Ok so your gift maybe a little Scroodgey… BUT if you write a nice card about how much you’re appreciated their presence in your lives, and how much a difference they have made… IS A NICE THING but it can also kinda cover your ass. BUT make sure you don’t lie in it. Write from the heart…

7) Buy SYMBOLIC gifts

I like this one because it shows thought in the gift. This can also double up in Tip #6, when you explain the kinda cheapo gift.

Hmmm.. I think that is it for now… Can’t think of anything else for now… HOPE THAT HELPS! And Happy Shopping!