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I would like to divulge a very personal and embarrassing secret about myself. A secret so incredible that even the most open minded of people whom have heard me tell it have gasped in horror and confusion. Here it is. Here is the secret. Are you ready? I. Love. Holiday. Shopping.

Holiday shopping for me is a contact sport complete with pre game strategizing, mental preparation, and warm up stretches. Come game time, I have focus, I have drive, I have what it takes to take on every single store in that mall and come out on top! How can I love it so much, you ask? The crowds, the wasted money, the other people's whining, peanut butter covered kids attached to your leg in a three hour long Toys r Us line up? The answer is simple; I skip those parts. Here is how:

1. I begin shopping for the upcoming holiday the week after Christmas. I get all of those expensive candles and holiday items that I was pining for the previous week at a quarter of the sticker price. This is when I pick up the gifts for the boss and the Secret Santa work party and my aunt Agnes who collects snowmen figurines.

2. Other than the obligatory stocking stuffers, for which I have devised another strategy, I buy one gift per person. Even though I am staring at a pair of earrings that would match the scarf I just bought my mother, I walk away. Slowly and usually with a big sigh.

3. Create a budget. Before heading to the mall, I figure out exactly how much I can (and am willing to) spend.

4. With my budget in mind, I create a list (based on sale items and holiday specials) and I do not deviate from it. If I really thought that I would not have the willpower to purchase list items only, I would probably stay home and make all of my purchase online instead.

5. For neighbors, coworkers, teachers, and friends, I will go home made. I make a mean banana bread and, since holidays are the season for entertaining, baked goods (fruitcake excluded) are always appreciated.

6. I use my points. Remember I mentioned that I had a strategy for stocking stuffers? Well, I never pay for them. Instead I save up reward and loyalty points from my favored department and drug store, and then I spend the points on stocking stuffers that my family will actually find useful.

7. I try to get family on board. My immediate family has all agreed to cap our purchases at a certain amount. I can tell you from experience that it is so much more difficult to adhere to your preset budget without the support and agreement of your family. Thankfully

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