Is anyone else suffering from a sugar hangover? I’m certain my body needs nothing but green leafy vegetables to make up for the candy I was stealing from my kiddos’ buckets last night. 🙂
If you’re like me October makes me think of all the orange pumpkins, falling leaves, and scarves. But November 1st makes me think…
I HAVE LESS THAN TWO MONTHS TO GET READY FOR CHRISTMAS!
Anyone else?
Because wait for it, girls…
ONLY 8 FRIDAY LEFT UNTIL CHRISTMAS!
November 1st reminds me I’ve only bought one Christmas present and the recipient spotted it in my “hiding closet”. Clearly, I need a new place to hide the gifts.
As much as this makes my heart start beating rather quickly, I’ve figured out a few ways to make the shopping part a little less stressful for us all.
#1 Write it Down
I keep a running list on the “notes” section in my phone of who I buy gifts for, what I’m going to purchase, and what I’ve already purchased. It helps me not forget anyone in the midst of the season. This also makes it easy for me to keep the gift giving equal for my kiddos. Have you guys ever started wrapping presents and then realized…WHOA! One kid has WAY more than the others? Writing it down saves me from that. 🙂
#2 Shop Online
This is me during the Christmas shopping madness. WAIT…let me say that I enjoy seeing and enjoying the festivities, but I don’t want to HAVE to be shopping in the midst of all that crazy. I like observing it all. So I am my best self when I shop online for Christmas gifts….Amazon, Nordstrom, American Girl, and Under Armour make it so much easier for me. When I order online, I can knock out a ton of gifts in an hour. That would take so much more time shopping in stores.
#3 Don’t Wait
Unless everyone on your list is asking for fancy electronics, then don’t wait! (I’m saying electronics because I do think you can get a great deal on those around Black Friday/Cyber Monday.) For instance, one year I found myself in the middle of Black Friday shopping and realized I was saving only $4.99 on this toy. I would have preferred to have purchased the toy a week before and just be strolling around on Black Friday watching the crazy. After making your list begin checking gifts off. Don’t procrastinate! It’ll make your Christmas season so much smoother and stress-free if all your shopping is complete early.
What are your tips to keep the holiday shopping as stress free as possible?
And I’m so sorry! Andrea and I totally flaked on yesterday’s Let’s Talk post. We’ll be blogging it next Monday, the 7th. If you’ve already posted, then just link up with us to your post on Monday and if you haven’t, we’d love for you to share FOOD/RECIPES with us on the 7th!
Happy November 1st! XOXO
8 Fridays! Holy Christmas that's not many. I always tell myself that I'll start shopping before Halloween. Each year it happens, Halloween rolls on by and I haven't even thought of any ideas. Sigh. Maybe next year! I CAN'T WAIT!
Try the app Wunderlist because you can make a list of everybody you want/need to buy for and then list the item(s) and even the stores and cost too and when you're done you can check them off. You can make shopping lists for each store, etc too.
Did you have to construct the list yourself or is there a master to give an idea how to do? Sorry if i don't make sense.
I definitely prefer shopping online, too! Ebates makes it even better, because you can get a little cash back at the same time!
Great tips! There are lots of Christmas gift tracker apps out there, too…I used one last year, I think it's called Christmas Organizer and it has a picture of Santa with his bag. You can mark gifts as possible ideas, ordered, arrived, bought, wrapped, etc. and separate them out by person. Anyway, you're right…time to start thinking about it! Have a great day!
Thanks, guys! I need to check out these apps!
You better believe that I'm in the spirit today!!! This post came at the perfect time!
All great tips! And yes, November 1st makes me panic that I don't yet have any gifts…but yesterday I was fine! 🙂
Great tips, friend! I'm making my list today, so perfect timing!
I also keep Christmas shopping lists in my phone. Miraculously no one has found them in there yet!
Last year I did it by one single Christmas gift in a store. It was glorious! Online shopping forevaaaaaa!!!!
Great tips!! Now I need to get started!
Online shopping and making lists are lifesavers for me. I've actually been adding to my list the last couple of months. I hate when it's November, and you need to make a list but can't think of a single thing for anybody. I'm hoping this next year, to start a list in January and have a running list for the whole year. Ha! Then I'll have more options to choose from… if I can just remember to do it. 🙂
Get the app Santas' Bag! It is wonderful! You won't regret it!!
Yes I am nerdy and have a little spreadsheet with total amount spent and number of presents for my kids and then a separate list of teciiients and ideas. I keep a running Amazon wishlist all year long and add to it as the kids or us think of something we might like. Come Christmas I share the ideas with grandparents and keep some for Santa!!! Love Christmas but love it more when I am not running around like a crazy woman :). Great tips!
I've barely started shopping!! I need to get on it! I keep a running list too! Helps me stay organized.
The notes app is my favorite!! 🙂 I even wrote down prices, so I can compare them! Great tips!!
Santa's Bag is a great app!!!
I use the Christmas Lists app, used to use mGifts. I prefer it over notes simply because there is a passcode to unlock it so no accidental eyes seeing the list just at the hiding closet!