How to Finish Christmas Shopping Early

Finishing your Christmas shopping early will leave you less frazzled and rushed during that busy time of year. Follow these steps to finish this chore in time to enjoy the holiday.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Make a budget early in the year for what you plan to spend on Christmas. Spread that out over the entire year instead of doing what some do, which is to spend like crazy in November and December. In your budget include gifts, decorations and if you host a large holiday dinner, include party funding and put a little money each month into an account so that you don't have the burden of spending too much at the end of the year and to reduce the temptation of putting presents on credit which will force you to pay for it for most of the following year, with interest.
2. Create your master list. Write a list of every gift you expect to have to buy. Come up with a dollar estimate on what you plan to spend for each person and write suggestions down. Leave space for your results. Keep this list in your purse or wallet for use while you are out shopping throughout the year. This way, if you see suitable presents on sale throughout the year, you can buy them and put them aside.
3. Make homemade gifts. If you are crafty, you can buy Christmas crafts on sale after the holidays and start making crafts throughout the year to put aside for the following Christmas. This will save you money by buying the items on sale and will give you the materials to complete your gifts throughout the year.
4. Hit the sales! Start your shopping as soon as January if you can. With your monthly allotted budget for Christmas, buy gifts throughout the year. You can save significantly and find some great deals and unique gifts. Taking the time to find thoughtful presents can result in a less rushed experience and a happier gift recipient.
5. Wrap gifts as you buy them. If you bought extra wrap, bows and tags after Christmas last year, wrap your gifts as you buy them. This can be a great time saver and reduce the likelihood of a family member finding out what next year's gift will be via snooping. Write down what you bought on your master list to ensure you don't forget and buy a gift twice for someone.

Tips & Warnings

• For your master shopping and budget list, consider using a spreadsheet and put a password on it for privacy. This way you can update the list and keep track of everything at an automated level.
• Be aware that if you buy a gift for someone really early, they may not be able to exchange it if it doesn't fit or if it's defective. Understand store policies on returns and exchanges so you can make an informed purchasing decision with your gift recipient in mind.

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