Remember when the Disney store had a 30% off coupon and had great sales? I spent less than $50 on a few birthday gifts & a few for Christmas as well. By planning ahead I not only save money, but my sanity. Instead of running around like a chicken with my head cut off, I can actually, on occassion, stop and enjoy the holidays. I can decorate my house with my kids, help at their schools and really reflect on the amazing blessings I have in my life. This alone, is worth any effort I put forth in July!
As for me, I have most of my Christmas shopping done and minus my husband & father-in-law, have atleast one gift for everyone on my list. I even have items that I will be donating to area toy drives and food drives already lined up and ready to go.
The amount I spent on these items you may ask...probably less than $200, which includes multiple pieces of jewelry for the ladies in my life, many toys, clothes, books and of course pancake mix!
So here is the question of the day, do you also shop early? Do you think you save money, time, etc?
Oh I start shopping for Christmas the week after Christmas! (The day after things are only 50% off, not cheap enough for me. I wait for 75% off.) But there are holiday items, for example, that can be used for other holidays. There are Valentine's Day toys that can be used for birthdays and Christmas. There are Halloween items that I use for New Years. The possibilities are endless if you keep an open mind and keep your eyes open.
ReplyDeleteRight now water toys are 75% off in various places. What a great gift for those May-August birthdays! Stock up now and keep them in a tote til next year.
Target runs two major toy sales a year where they mark down a large percentage of their toy inventory to 75% off. Stock up then for the holidays as well as the donation pile and gift closet.
Remember, Toys for Tots *always* needs donations. So whatever has been sitting in your toy closet for a while can go to Toys for Tots and go to good homes.