My family and I did something fabulous for Christmas last year. I'd love to say we went to Tuscany to celebrate in the Italian countryside or rented an amazing chalet in Vale but we did something more practical. We set a budget. It really is one of the best things we've ever done. We didn't stress about whether we were spending too much or too little and most importantly we didn't break out the credit card. I truly expected it to be an awkward conversation but it was incredibly easy. The collective sigh of relief was actually audible. If you have a chance at Thanksgiving it's definitely worth discussing.While my family hadn't really set a budget until the past year or so I do remember one Christmas when we decided to try to get creative in order to save some money. Someone in my family (no one is able to recall specifically who this was) came up with the idea of making gifts for one another. While this is a very cute idea and brings to mind some heartwarming episode of "Little House on the Prairie" it does not work for this girl. Don't get me wrong, I love crafts when I have time and some of my favorite gifts are things that people have made me. I, however, do not have time to make gifts for everyone on my list. This is where people who do have time to make gifts and sell them on the Internet can help. There is a website that gives these crafty little elves a place to sell their wares called Etsy. The gifts that you buy here are guaranteed to be unique and there really is something for everyone. It does take time to peruse the vast number of items and sellers but it can really pay off.
If there is someone on your list who is more into haute couture than handiwork, I have two websites that you will find yourself checking everyday. HauteLook and Gilt both feature designer brands at ridiculously low prices. There are clothing items for women, men, and children, jewelery, cosmetics, accessories, and home items. The brands on sale change everyday and generally last two to three days. Both sites require you to sign up for a free account. The only catch is that you may have a new lunch time addiction.
Even with an arsenal of great websites it's still challenging to buy for some people on your list. It's also challenging (at least for me) to come up with something on the spot if someone says, "Is there anything that you need or want this year?" There are so many websites out there that allow you to make a wish list - Amazon and Sephora are just two. Once you make a list it's easy to e-mail to friends and family. There are even registry websites, such as MyRegistry.com, that allow you to add items from several different websites. It is kind of awkward to admit to someone that you're still making a wish list as an adult but if you suggest that everyone in your gift-giving circle joins in it really becomes quite useful. Try using Thanksgiving as an opportunity to discuss this, too, when you bring up the subject of the budget. It really is kind of fun once you get started and brings to mind the excitement that used to come when the JC Penny Wish Book arrived.
Christmas will be here before we know it and we all need as many reminders as we can get to remember the real reason for celebrating - Jesus. So as you shop remember that gifts from one another really are just icing on the cake to the best gift of all. Please feel free to share your favorite tips for making holiday shopping easier in the comments section below. Happy shopping, everyone!
