From the Desk of Clearissa Coward’s Command Center ~ #Divinely Organized
What You Need To Know Before You Begin Your Christmas Shopping
Are you a last minute shopper? Do you wait for the fun of the hustle and bustle of the season to complete your shopping? If so, this post is for you. On the other hand, if you are one of the organized people who began their Christmas shopping in July…leave this blog immediately because it is not for you. 🙂 And those of us who are not as organized as you are, will not tolerate ridicule. 🙂 However, you may want to stick around because although you are the epitome of Christmas organization, I’m certain you know someone who is still just getting around to creating their gift list. Share this article with them. They will thank you. 😉
Excitement is in the air. Every retailer from the smallest boutique to large car dealerships are offering great deals to lure you into their stores. Everything seems light and easy and many of us fall for all the glamor and glitz. So, I have a question for you…what is your biggest regret after Christmas? For many of us regret sets in when we receive the bills from our December shopping spree.
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I decided to try not to get so caught up in the hype this year and to help me remain on track, I created the checklist below. Because it has been so helpful to me, I thought I would share it with you. Note: The photo of the checklist is not a very good one but once you download the list I promise it will be very helpful to you.
This checklist provides a clear view of what you have determined as your holiday shopping budget as well as a list of the gifts you plan to buy for everyone on your shopping list and the amount you want to spend on each gift. With your overall budget always staring you in the face you are less likely to overspend or to deviate from your planned list. So far it has been very helpful for me.
It’s a simple concept really. You have an overall amount of money you intend to spend on gifts this holiday season. With that amount in mind, you divvy up that amount of funds between the people on your list. If you need to adjust the funds that you decide to spend on each person on your list, you can do so without going over your overall budget. The secret to success is NEVER to increase your shopping budget. Instead, play with the money you have allotted for shopping.
The list is mobile and can be carried with you in your purse, added to your coupon book (a great place as you can also save money by using coupons), or uploaded to your mobile device for convenience. Having the ability to have the list readily available is paramount to sticking to your budget. It is almost like a shopping vision board if you will. It keeps that planned budget at the forefront and in your mind at all times. All you need to do is to keep it with you.
You can download your copy of the checklist here. And please, let me know if it works as well for you as it has for me.
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Until next time…Organization is my element
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Until next time…Organization is my element
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A checklist is a great idea to stay within your budget and for remembering everyone on your gift list and whether or not you’ve already gotten gifts for them 🙂
Hi Grammy Dee.
Yes a checklist is a great tool. I also like to compare from year to year as far as what I bought family members the previous year. That way, there are no duplicates. 🙂
I haven’t even started my shopping yet! I’d better get busy. The checklist should come in handy.
Hello Audrey,
To tell the truth, I have had the flu so I am behind with my Christmas shopping as well. What a horrible time of year to be sick!! I’ve gone over my list several times while laid up sick this week. So at least my list is in order. 🙂 I hope the list helps you and maybe we can both get out and get our shopping done next week. Happy Shopping!!
Hi Clarissa I’m a lost person and it is so easy to overspend at this time of year. Planning is the key and having a list is certainly helpful. Thanks for hosting the Blogging Grandmother’s linkup x
Hi Sue. We are never lost. 🙂 Sometimes we just need a little nudge in the right direction. I hope the checklist helps you and thank you for partying with us at #blogginggrandmothers.