Tag Archives: christmas shopping

The Christmas Shopping Blues

Is anybody else having trouble finding gifts this season? Living out in the country already means shopping is limited, but this year, it’s even worse. With early predictions that it would be an unremarkable Christmas shopping season, retailers seem to be playing it cautious. Simply put, they aren’t ordering enough of anything to keep shelves stocked, apparently afraid that they’ll get stuck with merchandise that will have to be sold at huge post- holiday discounts. Of course, I do love a good after Christmas sale, but right now, I could use a little pre-Christmas help. I guess I’m going to … Continue reading →

Do You Buy a Joint Christmas Gift?

Christmas is a very happy and jolly time for families and couples. I love the excitement in the air and the decorations around the town. I even enjoy doing my Christmas shopping during the last few days. However once you have been married for several years, especially if you have children, Christmas shopping and gift opening can turn more to others than you and your mate. After being married for a few years, many couples decide to buy joint a Christmas present. In other words, they do not get each other a Christmas present. Instead they choose to make a … Continue reading →

Get What You Want For Christmas with Amazon!

If you’re like most people I know, you have a hard time getting exactly what you want for Christmas. I know we’re supposed to be grateful for everything we get, but let’s be honest. Wouldn’t it be easier to be grateful if you actually got what you wanted, instead of a doorstop in the shape of President Nixon? And don’t try to tell me that really is what you wanted – it’s a feeble story. My husband and I have always been really open with each other on what we’d like to receive as gifts. When I first got married, … Continue reading →

Christmas Shopping for Your Mate

Buying a gift for a loved one can be tricky, time consuming, and complicated. In most cases, spouses want to buy a gift that their mates will enjoy and like. However, in some situations mates buy gifts just to satisfy the responsiblity of giving a gift. Some men are very in touch with the thoughts and ideas of their wives. They know what size clothing and shoes their wives wear and they know her likes and dislikes. They know her favorite stores and how to give her the surprise of a lifetime. These men usually have no trouble shopping and … Continue reading →

Frugal Gifts: Nice Effect without High Cost

In the same way you can save money by limiting themed elements when decorating or planning a birthday party or holiday get-together, opting instead for more plain items and just a few themed elements, you can get more bang for your buck when shopping for holiday gifts. Opting for smaller or fewer name brand items and combining them with other gifts will give you a nice effect without such a high-end price tag. For the teenage girl that is all about brand name fashions, you do not have to blow your budget trying to make her happy. Instead of the … Continue reading →

Christmas Shopping: Recalls and finding Safe Toys

Lead paint, chemicals that mimic the date rape drug, swallowed magnets, laceration hazards, and more have led to numerous toy recalls. With Christmas just around the corner, many parents are nervous about buying toys. While 80% of toys sold in the US today come from China, and some have decided not to buy toys with the “made in China” label, that’s not the only issue. Even if dangerous toys were limited to that part of the world, avoiding them wouldn’t be enough since many toy companies construct toys using at least some parts that come from China. Manufacturers from other … Continue reading →

Are Your Credit Cards getting a Workout?

Instead of giving credit cards a workout, try putting them on a diet if you want to save money over the long term. This time of year, it’s tempting to break out the plastic. I have sworn off plastic myself, but I know many people that can’t help getting a little carried away during the holidays. It’s easy to do! There are some other things to keep in mind about credit cards too. For one thing, you can sign up to pay your bill online with many different cards. This is a great option if you happen to be running … Continue reading →

Tomorrow is Cyber Monday

While brick and mortar retail stores have Black Friday, online sellers have Cyber Monday. This is their big holiday sale kick-off, and while some sellers started early, you can still get some great bargains. It’s also a great way to tackle Christmas shopping from the comfort of your home. You may also find that with discounted shipping, you’ll spend less than you would after purchasing gasoline to travel from store to store. One great way to find the best bargains is to check out sites like NextTag.com or other similar comparison shopping sites. Click on the category you’re interested in … Continue reading →

Make a List and Check It Twice

It is so easy to get into financial trouble during the holidays. With all of the gift giving and the mania of getting great deals, going overboard is almost a given part of the Christmas season. How many times do folks run up credit card bills that will take an entire year to pay back? But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can get the budget under control and avoid unexpected financial surprises by making a list and checking it twice. The easiest way to avoid overspending on gift gifting is to start with a list. Make a … Continue reading →

It’s Exactly One Month until Christmas Eve

Eeek! Thirty days is not a lot of time. Here I was, being lazy, enjoying my Black Friday day off yesterday, when suddenly I realized things are about to move into high gear. Christmas is well on the way! My husband was already ready to put up the tree, but he had no chance of persuading me yesterday. I was tired! Today might be another story. I’m thinking it might be a good idea to get things going. It will take some rearranging, and if we can at least get the tree up, get the lights and ornaments sorted out, … Continue reading →