Shopping Advice
Set a spending limit. This is vital unless you like the funny palpitations surprise bank statements or credit card bills tend to induce. No one is going to think any less of you for doing your shopping on a budget. If they do then you might want to question why exactly it is you include them on your list anyway.
Make a list. Like the head honcho of Christmas shopping himself, you should make a list and check it two or three times. Make sure each person you will give to is on the list. Be sure the items you choose are not above your spending limit. When you go out shopping, buy what is on the list and on the list only. One of the easiest ways overspend is through impulse purchases. If the item is not on your list, but happens to truly be perfect, bump another item from the list.
Bargains are your secret friend. One tendency that needs to be rooted out is the feeling that you must spend a certain amount per gift. Where did that idea come from? It is silly. If you find a gorgeous cashmere sweater on sale for 50% off, there is no need to spend the amount you saved on supplemental gifts. All this does is absorb funds and create unnecessary additional shopping. The sweater is enough. Don't feel guilty for not spending a certain amount; instead feel savvy for finding a smashing gift for a price that leaves a little something for a rainy day.
Start early. Christmas, and other gift giving occasions, occur on the same day every year. Why is that so many people are rushing frantically to the 24-hour Christmas Eve last chance sales? Unless you like the challenge and stress of doing your shopping with huge crowds of desperate and rabid shoppers, get it done early. The rationale that the sales are better if you wait just doesn't make any sense. Why take the risk that you may not have the time or selection to find what you really need? If you start early enough you can bargain shop much more effectively than if you wait to zero hour when the need to get something, anything eclipses all other concerns.
Shop online. Avoid the crowds and stores altogether and shop in your bunny slippers in the comfort of your own home. A few things you will avoid by staying home: fighting for parking, lost crying children, sharp elbowed fellow shoppers or less than helpful store clerks. A few of the pros virtual storefronts have to offer: savings in gas, many online stores have free shipping offers, special web only sales and offers, and perhaps the biggest advantage of all shopping and shipping to distant relatives without going to the post office yourself. Don't forget the list.
Speaking of the list...the following pages are Christmas Gift Ideas for everyone on your list.
Christmas Gift Ideas for Babies & Toddlers
For BabiesStacking Cups Bath Toys Shape Sorting Blocks Crib Activity Center Stroller Toys Bubble Blowing Toy Mower Baby Toy Piano Soft Blocks Personalized Photo Album Toy Hammocks (for wall or bathtub) Teething Book Activity Gym (for floor) Boppy Pillow Car Seat Toys Soft Blanket Music/Light Nighttime Soother Crib or Floor Mirror Spill-proof Cup & Snack Holders Play Mat (for floor) Portable Mobile Cloth & Plush Books Baby Handprint/Footprint Kit | For ToddlersSee & Say Farmer Says Pull Toys Pretend Phone Corn Popper Push Toy Cloth Books Board Books Tub Activity Toys Large Trucks & Cars Playsets - Fairy Tale Theme Bead Maze Soft Dolls Large Duplo Building Blocks Sand or Water Activity Table Fold-up Playset Ride-On Toys Constellation Night Light Play Food and Kitchen Tools Large Toddler Board Puzzles Peek-a-Boo Toys Toddler Sized Saxophone (or other instrument) Jack in the Box Pretend Chunky Tools |
Christmas Gift Ideas for Boys & Girls
For Girls
Easy Bake Oven
Jewelry Box Set of Books (ex. Little House, Ivy & Bean) Craft Kit Kids Cookbook and Kid-Sized Utensils Shrinky Dinks Etch a Sketch Weaving Loom Drawing Set and Easel Friendship Bracelet Kit Doll House Dress-Up Set Journal (electronic or traditional) Classic Board Game (Sorry, Life, Clue, etc.) Kid's Digital Camera Leapster Learning System Lite Brite Bean Bag Chair (kid sized) 50 to 100 piece puzzles Hand Puppets First Sewing Machine Roller Skates Bop It Barbie Dolls and Accessories Art Supplies and Books Play-Doh Set (fun factory, cake decorating) Pet Play Set (Littlest Pet Shop, etc.) Toy Hair Styling Head Science Kit Favorite DVD & Theater Sized Treats Nature Exploration Set (ex. butterfly net) Sleeping Bag for Sleepovers Pogo Stick Scooter Nancy Drew PC Game | For BoysTelescope & Astronomy Book Bicycle Accessories (horn, light, radio) Bug Catcher Set Venus Fly Trap Ant Farm Fishing Gear Set of Books (ex. Hardy Boys, Harry Potter) RC Car or Plane Kids Cookbook Two Wheel Bike Volcano Kit Roller Skates Pogo Stick Scooter Stilts Moon Shoes Magnetic Doodler Action Figures Skate Board Legos Play-doh Set (burger maker, fun factory, etc.) Electronic Memory Game Science Set Logic Game (ex. Think Fun Rush Hour) Slot Car/Race Car Set Walkie Talkies Magic Set Microscope Train Set Matchbox Cars and Case Nerf Toys Dinosaur Figures or Playset Lincoln Logs Paint/Art Set and Easel |
Christmas Gift Ideas for Teenage & College-Age Girls & Boys
For Teenage & College-Age GirlsCell Phone Skin & Charm Cell Phone Accessories (car charger, etc.) Alarm Clock (check out Clocky) Casual Watch MP3 Player Seat Warmer for Car Hands Free Phone Headset Charm Bracelet Digital Picture Frame Laptop Case DVD Player Car Emergency Kit Movie Tickets DVD & Theater Snacks Gas Gift Card Manicure/Pedicure Set Fleece Hoodie Beanbag or Butterfly Chair Fuzzy Bunny Slippers Microwave S'Mores Maker School Hoodie (high school or college) Sunglasses Flat Iron (hair straightener) Curling Iron Lava Lamp Wristlet (Vera Bradley, Coach, etc.) Makeup Mirror | For Teenage & College-Age BoysCell Phone Skin Cell Phone Accessories (car charger, etc.) Alarm Clock MP3 Player Seat Warmer for Car Hands Free Phone Headset Sports Watch Laptop Case DVD Player Tool Set Movie Tickets DVD & Theater Snacks Gas Gift Card Gaming Headset Wireless Video Game Controller Dartboard & Darts Hoodie (school, college or fraternity) Sporting Event Tickets Computer Desk Chair Sunglasses Heart Rate Monitor (for the gym) Gym Bag Mini Fridge-Cooler Autographed Sports Memorabilia Swiss Army Knife iPod Dock Speaker System Sonic Boom Alarm Clock |
Christmas Gift Ideas for Women & Men
For WomenMaid Service Pie Cookbook & Pie Plate Robotic Vacuum Dress Watch Wind Chimes Neck Wrap, Eye Mask Cake Decorating Tips and Instruction Book Charm Bracelet Digital Picture Frame Spa Socks and Pedicure Set Electric Tart Burner and Wax Tarts Gardening Tools & Gloves Movie Tickets Chick Flick & Chocolates Single Cup Coffee Maker Manicure/Pedicure Set Fleece Oversized Throw Blanket Gourmet Coffee and Mug Garden Gazing Ball Specialty Cooking Class Pink or Lavendar Tool Set Fondue Set Music Box Sleep Mask | For MenCollege Hoodie Digital Picture Frame Personalized Golf Balls and Tees Fishing Gear Remote Control Car Starter Grill Rubs and Sauces Sports Team Jersey (College or Pro) Beer Making Kit Bar Blender Grill Tools & Barbecue Cookbook Movie Tickets Heart Rate Monitor (for workouts) Electric Mug Warmer Electric Shaver Wireless Weather Station Sleep Machine (Sound Conditioner) Putting Green Poker Set Car Care/Wash and Wax Kit Duffle Bag Shiatsu Massager Tattoo Gift Certificate Hammock Favorite TV Series on DVD |
source: http://www.momswhothink.com/christmas/christmas-gift-ideas.html
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