Christmas Shopping Tips

I've had this in my journal for a few weeks BUT I've left it too long to make much sense this year but these tips can be for any/every year. 

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This year our household has been in Christmas denial including not putting up any decorations. A lot of other people in our lives, especially little people, are not in denial of any kind. Christmas is still happening which means shopping must be done. Here are my hot shopping Christmas tips;

1. Shop early in the year and lay-by. We use the July toy sales to buy for Christmas and the next years birthdays (luckily for our family all birthdays are before July). This option also reduces clutter and the need to hide Christmas gifts from little snoops. It's been a good option for our family so far but with lufflump getting older and pickier with his toys it could get harder. The kid wasn't into dinosaurs when we put the lay-by on but the rest of the family can make up for what we miss out on.
2. Shop early in the day and never on weekends in December. If you must enter the shopping centres in December try and shop before 10am Monday to Friday. Obviously this won't be easy for those who work but if you can do it, do. The shops seem quieter early in the day too. Avoid Thursday night shopping if you can, it's bedlam. Also, try to do all your shopping before school holidays. I know I may have a child but it doesn't mean I like children or groups of teenagers.
3. Shop Online. Buy as much as you can online but make sure you check out their shipping times so you don't miss out. If you're organised try and buy in November. Unique stores on madeit and etsy are wonderful for special gifts but again be careful to read the seller's shipping conditions, the last thing you want is the gifts turning up in January. Westfield and a lot of other stores have online stores so you may be able to shop online rather than setting foot in the centre. Please watch out for scams though, make sure wherever you purchase from are reputable. 
4. Make gifts. I'm not arty or crafty. I try but most times I fail. That doesn't mean lufflump or the mister aren't crafty though which helps. Since lufflump was born we've made gifts for his grandparents and great grandparents. They include photo frames, photo calendars, hand and feet casts and painted canvases. Not only has it saved us money, lufflump has fun doing them and the receivers love them and they really are priceless gifts. It makes Christmas time less stressful as they can be done at any time, we usually do ours in November.



Handmade gifts for the grannies

5. Buy a charity donated gift. Some people don't like giving or receiving these gifts. We've received them before and were more than happy. It's easy to do and it's going to people who really deserve it. I'd love a million things this year but don't really need them or have the space. Also these are the perfect gifts for the person who insists they want nothing, the extremely fussy person and the returner. Personally, I like the Oxfam gifts as they are specific where the gift is going and to who. Plus they state what percentage goes to admin, advertising and the receiver.

There is still time if you are in denial. Some online stores are doing quick deliveries so your gift arrives before the big man. Otherwise kind of forget that Christmas is even on it's way, like we are.

Are you ready for Christmas?