Here are some helpful tricks for the Holidays that you can use throughout the year to ensure you get the best gifts for people and get them what they actually need or want and some other helpful holiday tips...
-Pay attention to what people say to you throughout the year. "...be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." James 1:19. You can use this scripture for all aspects of your life; but just listen to what your husband says he likes, or mom or friend etc. and just write it down. I keep notes on my phone with what my family may like throughout the year so i remember what to get them as gifts.
-Budget so you can get some gifts throughout of the year for people and keep them in one area of your closet, or house, so you remember where they are. I already bought someone for my niece for next Christmas because, when i was Christmas shopping this year, i found something she would LOVE,on sale, so i bought it and have it for next year already. You don't have to do it that far in advance, but as you see things that people you love may like, especially at a good price, just get it and keep it so you aren't overwhelmed when you have to fork out a ton of money in one month for gifts.
-Have a budget and stick to it. Don't go into debt by showing people you love them. Buying things on sale throughout the year will help you with that. Also, if you have kids get them a few things they might want and then use your money to take them somewhere. Kids have so many toys and honestly, crap, they don't really need and will forget they even have it. Why not create an amazing Christmas memory by taking them to a Christmas show or saving your family vacation for around the Holidays and use that as a Christmas gift instead.
- If you plan ahead and know you are getting a lot of gifts online, or you know what specific store you need to go to, go to Giant Eagle (or another store that sells gift cards and gives fuel perks, and buy gifts cards in the amount you plan on spending. You will get gas points and save on gas and it will allow you to stick to only buying what you need with the gift card.
-Sometimes i give my husband links to items that i want for my birthday/anniversary/Christmas way a head of time so that he has them and i can still be surprised if he actually gets me something off my list months later.
-This year i created a registry for my son for Christmas at Target. I live in a Town home so i have limited space, and i don't want a ton of "stuff" that he doesn't need. So if people are going to spend money on him anyways, i put together a list of things that he will actually like or need. They know exactly what to get him and we don't get a bunch of things he doesn't need. It's a win-win!
-Get your online orders done early so that you get gifts in on time.
- Buy wrapping paper and gift supplies after Christmas, while they are on sale, so that you will have everything you need for the next year and save money.
-Buy brown paper in bulk and use burlap string and evergreen leaves from outside to create homemade, less expensive gift wrap. You can even add some fake or real holly and use stamps to create more character on the paper as well.
