(Tips so you don’t spend all of your hard-earned cash on you-don’t-know-what) by Debbe Taylor
1. Just because the ad says “bargain” doesn’t make it so. Recognize that a “blow-out sale” might really be masquerading as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. What do I mean by that? Holiday spirit is one thing, but business is business and these stores are in it to win it, so to speak. The holiday spirit only carries a retailer so far. So, Caveat Emptor (buyer beware).
2. Reality – Many of us are shoppers at heart. Be smart and use a credit card (assuming you haven’t just won the lottery) that gives you points or cash back on your purchases. Be even smarter and pay the bill off in full each month.
3. Gift-giving from the heart is key. If you can find the time (if you can wander the malls, then no excuses, you have time for this), unleash your inner artist and create personal, memorable (hopefully not because you left a nail exposed and little Jimmy required six stitches, kind of memorable) gifts for friends and family.
4. Remember that value is in the eye of the beholder. Here is a list of inexpensive gifts that you can feel great about giving:
- Have your kids (they’re way more computer literate than you think) create a PowerPoint presentation that is made up of wonderful photos and put to music. Relatives love this kind of gift! E-mail or burn the ‘show’ onto a disc…even grandparents have a DVD player nowadays.
- Personalized photo calendars – Shutterfly, Snapfish, Kodak and others all handhold you through the process. If facing off against your computer is daunting, get yourself to the closest pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, etc.). Most of them make this kind of product at their photo counters.
- For teachers, coaches, counselors – A one pound bag of gourmet coffee or tea, packaged with a personally designed mug. Pick up a $3 white mug at your local art supply store and have your child write/draw on it with indelible markers. Gourmet popcorn in a personalized tin is also a favorite.
- Wholesale clubs – These places are great (good exercise too, as they’re all the size of a large indoor stadium). Buy a mix of items in bulk: candy, office supplies, cookies, household necessities, games, etc. Pick up some creative packaging (hat boxes, colored plastic containers, wood baskets and ribbon) and voila…you’re all set!
- Go online – There’s a lot to be said about the freedom of bargain shopping at all hours of the night, or even before you decide to brush away that morning breath. Check out: Overstock.com, Smartbargains.com and eBay.com to get you started.
- Give the gift of words. Magazine subscriptions are another unique gift item. You can order them online, on the phone or through the mail. Your thoughtfulness lasts a full year. How easy is that?
5. Decorating
- Skip the blow-up, life size lawn display. Frosty the Snowman is cute, but keeping him from melting (deflating) all month long can add to your electric bill.
- Get yourself to the nearest dollar store, these kind of stores carry a bevy of inexpensive (uh…$1 per item, thus the name) decorating items, from wrapping paper and ribbon, to boxes, bags and tree toppers.
- Another way to reign in the spending, is to enlist your kids as the FCDs (fabulous chief decorators) of the house. Give them a roll of white paper and water paints, they can create their own gift wrap and some artwork for the walls. Note to self – stick with water soluble stuff…trust me.
6. Entertaining – The “now what?” doldrums are a bummer. You know, about 20 minutes after every gift has been opened and you’re . surrounded by three large plastic garbage bags filled with packaging and torn wrap. That’s when the dreaded, “what should we do now?” chorus starts. The answer is, Be Prepared!
- Get a handful of “oldie but goodie” video rentals.
- Check and make sure you have all the necessary pieces to your board games.
- Slice n’ bake cookie batter in a few flavors, sprinkles and icing choices too.
- Snowball fights up north, beach or bike ride down south.
- Go for a drive and oooh and aaah (and secretly feel a bit smug about your own electrical savings, and the fact that your family is cutting back on its carbon footprint) at all the pretty lights others have put up.
Last but (most definitely) not least – Don’t get caught up in holiday hype. Your kids, spouse, friends, relatives will still go on to lead productive and wonderful lives, even if they don’t get the newest, most talked about, expensive gift du jour!