Unless you have been living on the moon or in the deep wilderness you know that we are all living in the recession nightmare. Christmas looms large in front of us and if you are anything like me you love to create Christmas magic each year. Unfortunately that usually means that you need money...something that most of us do not have this year. So you have to get creative and you have to get organized and you have to be informed. One of the greatest sources for prices is the Internet...especially if you are looking to buy large items...comparison shop the ads and the Internet before you purchase. Do your homework - know exactly what you want and know the prices offered in other stores and websites...be sure that you are informed as to what to expect in the product that you are purchasing. Another great source for great buys is in stores that offer discount prices. Stores like Dollar General, Family Dollar, Deals, the Christmas Tree Shops and especially Big Lots offer a wide variety of great items from toys to appliances. Many are top name brand items with discount prices. My favorite of these is Big Lots http://www.biglots.com/Default.aspx . They sell everything: food, furniture, appliances, toys, seasonal decorations and items, gifts, jewelry, video games for all the consoles, electronics--you name it they got it. And if you are really looking to save and plan on taking a trip to the state of Delaware--they just opened one in New Castle(right over the bridge from Jersey and a hop from both PA and MD. Why is this so special? THERE IS NO SALES TAX IN DELAWARE! So off the top you will be saving 7%. Deals http://www.deals-stores.com/, a newer store from Dollartree offers upscale Dollar Store items along with a few higher priced items. Most items are between $5 and $1. The other stores I listed also have some great buys for many items. Last year I got a Single Cup desk coffee maker for $7 at Family Dollar and have found those special touches in stores both Dollar General http://www.dollargeneral.com/Pages/index.aspx and Family Dollar(http://www.familydollar.com/Pages/Home.aspx. The Christmas Tree Shop http://www.christmastreeshops.com/ is a great place for everything but especially gifts and housewares. They have great bargains on furniture, domestics and housewares items such as cookware and dishes. They have this food section that will give you great options for building that special stocking at a great price. If you are looking for that special gift for that special person but you are not sure what it is--peruse this store and I guarantee you will find it and not spend a lot on it.
Just like Santa you have to make a list and check it twice. Organization is vital to saving money. Know what you are buying for whom you are buying and where you are buying. Try to have back up purchase points in case the best price is sold out. When you get the gift keep track of where you hide it ( I lose at least one gift every year when I do not stay organized.).
Also don't be afraid to get creative. I started a tradition years ago when I was a kid and didn't have a lot of money. Every year I make each of my parents a gift. It is not hard to do and it doesn't have to be crafty. There are several options you can choose here. Some of the gifts I have given them over the years are: hand painted ceramic music box, cheese cake, toy soldier decoration made from flower pots stacked on each other, work vouchers good for various jobs around their house, a pillow, cookies, homemade bread, printed sheets...the sky is the limit. Use your imagination.
Just keep my tips in mind as you deal with the coming shopping and gifting season and have a great time.
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