Nov. 10: Jen’s Christmas shopping tips

Now that we’re past Halloween, there’s no denying it: Christmas is coming! Isn’t it exciting? I looooove the Christmas season, and not just because of presents under the tree with my name on them. I also love gravy.

Here are a few things that might help you with your shopping, or at least your planning:

1. Real Simple suggests this printable gift list. It’s great for the early stages of shopping when you’re getting ideas.
2. Amazon wish lists. These are the best—very helpful to the people who are shopping for you (hint hint…).
3. My Registry is supposed to be a good way to make gift lists too. I haven’t tried it out for myself.
4. If you have a lot of people to buy for, or if you’re trying to stay within a budget, or if you just can’t remember anything, I recommend a gift planning app to keep it all straight. This is the one I’ve been using lately (I’m trying a new one because the one I loved last year is no longer being updated—boooo). I like the new one so far, though. It’s a 99¢ app on iTunes.
5. Do you have a dumbphone? Then maybe you’ll like this gift planner worksheet. Also, I’m sad for you that you have a dumbphone. You should totally ask Santa to bring you a smart one.
6. I love this idea; my kids, not so much:
   
7. Personally, I have no desire to shop the Black Friday sales at the mall. Many of the good buys can be found online anyway, and that means I don’t have to get up early, fight traffic or crowds, or deal with any of the horribleness that goes with Black Friday shopping. So, my suggestion is to avoid the mall as much as possible. When you’re shopping online, always check out coupon code web sites like Flamingo World, Retail Me Not, or Promotional Codes to make sure you’re getting good deals.
8. Want to give gifts that are unique and/or handmade and personal? Shop at etsy. I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed in anything I’ve purchased there.
9. My cousin Dana posted this idea on Facebook, and it’s my favorite shopping tip of all:

Let’s buy Christmas presents from small local businesses and self-employed people. For example, from your neighbor who sells online, a local craftsperson who makes jewelry, the stunning local florist’s shop, the local bakers that sell homemade cakes, buns, and chocolates, the guys that run a café or a salon. Let’s make sure our money goes to individual people and not multinational companies. This way, more local people will have a better Christmas. Support real people.

Have fun!