My North Pole elf powers have taken a serious hit in the past few years. In 2016, I had to repurchase two gifts due to damage. This year, I received two damaged gifts and was only able to successfully replace one. The other was a handmade, custom item and arrived twice in terrible condition due to measurement issues; I chose to walk away with a refund rather than risk receiving a third defective product. Seriously, what has happened to me?? Gifting used to be my cup of tea, and now I can’t seem to climb out of the funk I’m in. I carefully observe the recipients so I can pick the perfect gifts; I make an airtight budget so I can save and spoil my loved ones; and I buy from trustworthy sources (eBay has disappointed me one too many times). I’m still satisfied with my 2017 gifts, but I can’t help feeling disappointed. On top of my misery, I can’t see Star Wars: The Last Jedi until Monday night. UGH!!! On the bright side, I have a day off (from my retail job) to relax a little bit. Even though I have a to-do list of work that has to get done, I will definitely be squeezing in some baking, Christmas movies, & reading. Happy Saturday!
Happy faces?? I think not!! I am sure I’m not the only one who hates crowds, especially around Christmastime. I love shopping, but holiday crowds are in a league of their own. I want to share the tips I have learned from my experiences in hopes that your stress level will decrease and your holiday spirit increase. Let us proceed with the merriment!
1. It is never too early to start Christmas shopping. Sometimes the best deals show up after Christmas. Why not get a head start? The only thing you will have to worry about is a good hiding spot. ;)
2. Make a budget. Know what you have to spend and shop accordingly. Keep track of your money every step of the way. Before shopping, I make a list of anticipated prices; I round up each price (e.g. $15.35 would be $16) and add fifteen dollars for tax and shipping. Always overestimate and expect the unexpected. Bonus: It feels good to finish shopping and have money left over.
3. Have your loved ones write down what they need/want. A list will eliminate guesswork which takes precious time away from shopping and other holiday tasks.
4. Adding to #3, make a list of what gift(s) you are getting for each person. This way, you only have to spend time finding the best deal for specific items instead of wandering the internet with no light at the end of the tunnel.
5. Do not be afraid of the interweb! The internet is your best friend if you want to avoid crowds. Also, you get to shop in pajamas and sip hot chocolate from the comfort of your home. Nothing wrong with that!
6. If you are concerned that an online store is sketchy, use a website like scamadviser.com or consumeraffairs.com. You can also type the name of the business and the term “legitimate” into your web browser’s search engine for results containing reviews.
7. If you are worried about online shopping costing more due to shipping, fear not! You will be pleasantly surprised at how many online stores offer low shipping prices or free shipping, especially during the holiday season.
8. The websites I visit first are Amazon and eBay. Those are two good places to start if you want to dig and find good deals.
9. My main tips for handling an eBay auction are as follows: Be online for at least the last five minutes of the auction, continuously refresh the page, wait until the last few seconds to bid, and bid at least one dollar above the price (e.g. if the price is $30, bid $31). This isn’t a surefire way to win, but you will have a better chance of avoiding being outbid and winning. And yes, I have won an auction with this plan.
10. The Google Shopping tab is a good tool to use for finding the lowest prices for products.
11. If you find coupon codes, use them! I know this sounds like an obvious tip, but I am 100% certain there are people who have made purchases without realizing that there was a great coupon code available. Not all coupon codes are valid so some trial and error may be involved, but it is worth it. At least try! One way to get coupon codes is to make a free account with the website you are shopping on; most online stores send a discount to new members. Another way is typing the name of the store and the term “coupon code” into your web browser’s search engine. The first few results are usually the most reliable (e.g. RetailMeNot or Groupon).
12. Adding to #11, coupon codes and discounts are great, but make sure you do some math before checking out. Discounted products could allude to higher tax and shipping cost. Full price is not always the enemy.
13. Another good way to compare prices is “checking out.” Basically, I start to check out on two or more websites with the same item but only go to a certain point. I do this in an attempt to find out the exact tax and shipping costs and calculate the cheapest total.
14. I know there is a rush that comes with shopping for loved ones during Christmastime, but be patient. If you rush, you might miss out on some great deals and/or accidentally go over budget. Do not give in to impatience and accept the first price you see for the sake of feeding your excitement.
15. On the flip side, if you find a ridiculous deal and your gut says act fast, do it. Certain deals come once and only once. Experience is the best tool for gauging if a deal is good or not. That’s right! The more you shop, the more you know. ;)
16. When in doubt, remember why you are shopping. You want to put a smile on the faces of your loved ones and show them how much you care. That is all the motivation you need to complete your mission shoppers.
My 2015 budget was $266, and I had three people to shop for. I bought my first two presents and felt pretty good about where my budget was at. Then, a shopper’s worst nightmare came true for me: I realized that I had accounted for $40 I did not have. DUN DUN DUUUN!!! That number may seem insignificant, but when your piggy bank is a source of income and a budget your lifeline, $40 is a make or break amount. I had a complete meltdown: tears, screaming, the works. After my less than stellar adult moment, I regained composure, put on my thinking cap, and did some more research. Currently I have all but one gift purchased and am well under budget. A Christmas miracle in November!! Once I purchase my last gift, I will have spent $194 total for six gifts, received $80 for outside contribution, and be $152 under budget. Keep in mind that the six gifts I bought for three people could easily be six gifts for six people. I hope this gives you a visual of how the 16 tips listed above are effective, especially when money is tight. Also, they are functional year-round. Happy shopping!
I know, I know. I am the absolute worst at Blogmas!! I have tried, I really have. I wrote a Hanukkah post on my art blog and it took two full days to research and write. It was 3 am by the time I finished, and I was not at all ready to blog again the next day. However, I am extremely proud of the finished product so if you have not yet seen it, here is the link: http://laurenmichelephotography.wordpress.com/2014/12/19/artmas-2014-joy-to-the-world/ I am sorry if this excuse is awful and unacceptable, but it is the truth. Moving on. I had a great time with my family this weekend. We did some shopping at the mall and watched lots and lots of Christmas movies. I would like to point out that they were willing, my dad and brother included, to watch both family and romance movies. That is love!! It is no secret that I have had problems getting into the Christmas spirit, but spending quality time with my family made me feel much more merry, as did watching “Blind Side.” “Blind Side” is an emotional movie, not easy to get through without crying, but it has a happy ending. I give it 5 stars. It holds a special place in the hearts of my family because ever since I was born my parents have been taking in people who needed a place to live. I have considered each and every one of them a member of my family regardless of size, shape, and color. It is a great feeling to know that my family was able to help so many people. I love my extended, colorful family and always will!!
Lauren Michele ❤️ 