In the last week before Christmas, ask anyone if they’re ready for Christmas and most likely you will hear them moan and groan about the woes and stress of getting the shopping done. From having trouble dealing with the traffic and the crowds, to trying to figure out what to buy a particular loved one. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way.

Planning your Christmas shopping well in advance will save you so many headaches that by the time the day comes, you’ll be cool, calm, and collected to actually enjoy the time with your family and/or friends. I don’t like that fact that department stores start pushing Christmas products before Halloween is even over, but if you think about it, it’s around the time you need to do the ground work of preparing for Christmas. With so much to do for the holiday season, waiting too long to start will cause you to cram it all in just a few short weeks. Let me tell you that you will be spent (no pun intended) by the time Christmas rolls around.
My mother used to shop for presents for my brother and I all year long. We were predictable as to what our interests were and that made it easier for my mother to find things throughout the year and store them until December. My mother told me years later about how in doing it that way she would save so much money. I’m not saying you need to start your shopping in January, but October to me seems like a fair assumption as to when to look for bargains. You may also need the time to get some Christmas gift ideas.

Let’s face it, when we feel that we are under pressure with only having such much time before an important event, we stress out and become very edgy. Why put yourself through that if there is a way around it so you and your family can enjoy the time you have together.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

As the kids get older, it seems that the gifts are a little more elaborate and costly, but if you do your shopping correctly, you can find the same product at a lower price. With some effort, you can save yourself a good amount of money. Here’s some tips to help you finish your Holiday shopping done without breaking the bank or going insane getting it all done.

First you shouldn’t wait until the last two weeks before Christmas to start looking at what to get someone. It’s hard enough as it is to find time in our busy schedules to take a run to some mall to check out prices and availability of a gift. Do you really want to do all of your holiday shopping done in two weeks? It sounds good to do, but the idea I’m making is…Are you getting the best price for the item? Ideally you should start doing so around the first week of November. This will give you seven weeks to stop at different stores or get online to research possible Christmas gift ideas.

Shopping Online has become more the way to go these days when buying Christmas gifts. With the price of gas and the inconvenience of traffic along with the cost of parking, online shopping is bigger than ever. Look around, get a good idea of what different products cost. You will find that it’s not often you find two merchants selling the same item for the same price.

Negotiate. You’d be amazed how many smaller businesses will work hard to get your business. WalMart, Target and the other “big Box” stores tell you want you will pay for a particular item. That’s it period, but a small business owner know that he competes against those larger ones. They know that you are looking to save money, so they are willing to give you a better price. Since they own the company, you can talk to the “Big Man” to see if a deal can be reached. Try doing that in one of those big box stores.

If done correctly, you won’t be stressed out from all the preparing you did to get ready for the holiday and you will still have money left over for maybe a gift for you.

Decorate the outside of your home with these cool looking magnets. Perfect for the garage door

Accent your holiday outfit with this adorable pair of goldtone Christmas boots dangle earrings. Measuring 1″ long. Comes in a foil gift box to make the perfect gift.

Henry Winkler stars in this great holiday movie along with Brooke Burns and Warren Christie. It’s a story of what happens when you open your heart to the power of Christmas. A movie for the whole family.

Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 09/23/2008 Run time: 150 minutes Rating: Nr

Remastered in 2008, these holiday classics are great to watch with the entire family. Includes bonus stories: It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown, It’s Magic, Charlie Brown, and The Mayflower Voyages

All-new featurettes: “A Christmas Miracle: The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “We Need a Blockbuster, Charlie Brown,” and “Popcorn and Jellybeans: Making a Thanksgiving Classic”

Every year, Claudia (Holly Hunter) dreads her trip home for the holiday. Her parents (Charles Durning and Anne Bancroft), her sardonic brother (Robert Downey Jr.) along with her overdramatic sister (Cynthia Stevenson), things are bad enough. But this year, things are even a little bit harder dealing with her daughter’s (Claire Danes) recent issues. Jodie Foster directs this ode to dysfunction.

Arg! Does someone on your gift list have a love for pirates? This Santa Claus Pirate and his parrot pal are 3 inches x 2 inches, hand sculpted from resin with amazing detail.

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Warm up to Spode’s set of four Christmas Tree pattern beverage mugs. these 9oz cups are great for any hot holiday beverage you and your family enjoy. Your friends will love the traditional holiday pattern as they drink their cider, coffee or cocoa from these lovely mugs.

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The first place I look for small token gifts is at the local holiday bazaar. There are a few bazaars every year which I attend and inexpensive ornaments.

This year I found a vendor that made “angel feather” ornaments for $.25 each. I bought 20, and I am giving one to every person on my “acquaintance” list. I only spent $5.00, and I have a gift for everyone. My secret to finding the best prices at holiday bazaars: attend the small, local church bazaars. They are more likely to have cheaper prices, because they are raising money for the church and just want to sell the items. Big bazaars tend to have professional vendors who charge more for their products.

Another idea I sometimes use is baking. You can make all of the gifts at once for as cheap as you choose. People also usually like home-baked goodies. If you have diabetics on your list, there are diabetic-friendly mixes available. My grandfather is diabetic, so instead of a bunch of holiday cookies, I buy him fresh fruit and some sugar-free candies. One year I made him a sugar-free pudding pie.

One way I have specifically celebrated with co-workers is by bringing in goodies for everyone to share at work. I make a sign explaining that I wish them a Merry Christmas, and the goodies are from me, and I set out the sign and the treats in a common area. People like this because they can have a treat to snack on at work. It cheers up the office a bit, too. You can get away with bringing less treats this way, if you are on a tighter budget.