by Yvonne Mccormack

Created on: May 14, 2009   Last Updated: May 15, 2009

Christmas shopping can be a daunting task every year especially when money is tight. Over the last few years I have come up with a great plan to get Christmas gifts for everyone without the usual stress.

First of all as soon as Christmas is well and truly over, I write a list. This list has all the names of family and friends who will be receiving Christmas gifts the following year.

Next I wait for the sales. Now there are sales going on through out the year, so what I don't get in the first sales I will shop for them in the spring and summer sales. Also there are some great closing down, and clearance sales on through out the year too.

I must say this kind of shopping can be great fun. It's like having Christmas whenever you want it. You can make gift shopping more enjoyable if you get together with a family member or close friend. When you have someone to share the shopping experience it makes it more fun.

Doing your Christmas shopping this way takes away any last minute dashes to the shops. Everyone knows how busy and chaotic it gets over the last few shopping days coming up to Christmas. I remember going out on Christmas eve one year and swearing never to leave things that long again, it was a nightmare.

Remember as you shop for your bargain gifts, to tick off each name as the gift for them is purchased. This will save you from doubling up on gifts. After all you are trying to save some money here.

I found that the sales that are in most stores in January still have gifts that have the lovely Christmas ribbons or bows on them. These are great gifts for friends, as they are nearly always cosmetics or perfumed bath soaps and this kind of thing.

During the rest of the year you will pick up bargains of every sort for your family. Whatever they are into there Will be a sale on in that department at some stage during the year.

After the Christmas shopping is finished, I am usually finished by the summer, but you can still get great sales up to October. Then I get all the gifts sorted out. I wrap them and label them all, and put them away until Christmas. Even when I have shopped for everyone I still keep my eyes open for sales. You never know when a new friend is going to come into your life, or a new niece or nephew. It's always handy to have a few stand by gifts too in case of visitors who were not expected. I was only caught out once with this, now I am always prepared.

If you are someone who loves going around the shops at Christmas time, to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. Then you can leave these stand by gifts as I call them until then. As it's only a few gifts it's not too stress full. Try not to allow yourself to get carried away with the spirit of things though, remember you have all your Christmas gifts neatly wrapped and labeled,and ready for Christmas.

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