We are in December and the Christmas season is now in full swing! The shops are overcrowded with shoppers eager to throw their hard-earned money at anyone who is willing to take it! The SALE signs are up and everything you have never wanted is cheaper than ever and calling your name! The items are silently shouting out, buy me, buy me!! It’s the Christmas shopping frenzy and we all get caught up in buying things we don’t really want or need, but hey, it’s on special, so let’s get it!
- Life Saving Tip number one: Do not create unrealistic expectations. What does this even mean? Let me explain. If you are a young family, it is easy to go a bit overboard when your first Christmas with children comes around, especially if your child is the first-born grandchild. Watching young kids unwrap presents and being so super excited is one of the most amazing feelings and experiences! BUT, let me tell you keeping this up 4-5 years down the line, 2 or 3 kids later and several cousins to spoil, becomes financial suicide. The expectation has now been set and keeping it up is downright crazy. Keep it simple from the start.
- Stocking fillers is NOT a thing! I always joke with my kids and tell them that the only thing that is going to fill their stockings is newspaper! LOL, I am generally the only who laughs at that joke. The truth is, filling the stocking is just a great retail marketing tool. Of course, I fill my kids Christmas stockings, but with actual things I was going to buy them anyway. New socks, underwear, hair ponies & clips, and a perhaps a few chocolates. Do not fill these with smart watches, camaras and go pros!
- DONT buy Christmas gifts all through the year. I always wonder about those poor kids who get presents that were bought a year in advance. My kids change their minds like I change my underwear. Yes, if your kid is a toddler and into Barbie or Barney, you are pretty safe for a year or two, but other than that, don’t do it. You are going to end up buying double, which is not the goal here. Instead of buying things all year round, rather save a little each month! Young people follow trends, which I have come to realize do not last longer than a few months – if that! Get an updated list mid-November. The list is a good guide of what to get and to give your family members some shopping inspiration for your offspring!
- How to use the list is as important as the list itself. I choose something they need from the list, but not the socks I mentioned earlier, instead something like a really cool pair of sneakers or a hoodie. If the budget allows, I will then move onto something they want, like a bracelet or a pair of roller skates or LED room lights that sync with the music. I know most children love their electronics, but mine also like reading. Getting a book or a book set is a great gift. This year I am getting my daughter a Wreck this Journal!
The Plus 1 Pro Present Tip! Read between the lines. Yes, I do look at the list, but sometimes you have to go beyond the list. My 10-year-old desperately wants a blob soft toy that costs a small fortune. It is the number one thing she wants, and it is on top of her list in ALL CAPS. As much as I really want to buy it for her, it simply money NOT well spent. She will be super excited and overjoyed with it, but this happiness will only last for all of 5 minutes. ( Trust me, not my first rodeo! ) Instead, I am getting her a Spotify subscription. She loves music and will be able to enjoy this gift daily.
A final word of advice, shop online. It makes it much easier to not get swooped up in all the Christmas hype! Happy shopping!
MomindaMix 