I'm getting excited because we are getting ready for Christmas! Bus Ministry Banquet planning, decorating, Christmas shopping.....
But, I want to talk about Christmas Shopping, here are some of the things that I do to plan for Christmas shopping, it is always a stressful thing, so I thought I'd share some of the tips/tricks that I use for Christmas shopping...
1. Go to the states!! The prices there are SO much cheaper and reduces tons of stress financially!
2. Stay in a hotel while you are in the states!! It is so nice after shopping for hours to come back, go in the hot tub and relax in your hotel room. We stay at the Holiday Inn Express they have the BEST prices (under $70 a night during november when we go), and it includes a buffet breakfast every morning, which is another thing we don't have to worry about. Also, then you are not rushing to get back through the border line ups, you have 2 days to shop and its not such a rush.
3. Plan before you go!! I use these great FREE printables that I got from Pinterest!! This step is SO important...I save so much time using these "worksheets" and having a plan. Before I would just wonder around not knowing what to get and it would waste tons of time. Some people I don't know and I wait to see what I can get when I'm down there as they have such great deals. Having the checklist helps though, to keep you on track. For those people I just write "see what they have".
Here are the links to the printables:
http://printables.yourway.net/holiday-printables/christmas-shopping-list/
http://printables.yourway.net/holiday-printables/christmas-order-tracking/
http://printables.yourway.net/holiday-printables/christmas-budget-worksheet/
http://www.ellinee.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/giftplanner.pdf
These ones are not totally geared towards shopping, but....I LOVE them and use them all the time:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/79252083/hhc2012blank.pdf
http://christmasplanner.com/free-printable-clean-mama-holiday-shortcuts-planner
4. Go to a gift wrapping centre!! I LOVE these! I go to the one at Guildford Mall after I'm home. Take your gifts for wrapping to the centre and they will wrap them all for you. It saves tons of time for you, not having to wrap everything AND it helps with charity all the money they make go to the charity that they are helping that year. Helps you and helps others...so great!!
5. Relax and have fun!! Think about the people you are buying for and how you can bless them. Take breaks, have Starbucks and go for lunch (this one is important...you need energy).
Happy Shopping Everyone!!
I would like to hear about what you do for your Christmas shopping too? What helps you?
<3 Ashley
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