Five Tips to Simplify your Holiday Shopping on any Budget

(ARA) - The holiday season is upon us. That means the stress that comes with shopping for that perfect gift is not far behind. So, what's the best way to go about making a list, checking it twice and sticking to a budget?Audrey McClelland is the founder of Mom Generations, an online destination for moms. She is an expert at holiday shopping for her tech-savvy husband, four boys all younger than 6, and a large extended family.
McClelland offers her top five holiday shopping tips and gift ideas that will help you conquer your holiday shopping - on budget - for everyone on your list.1. Keep a master list. It can get overwhelming around the holidays when you are trying to decide whom to shop for. Outline everyone you need a gift for, and remember to incorporate any unexpected last-minute gifts. Then write down a realistic number on what you want to spend on each person and stick to it. Seeing it on paper will make it easier to knock items off your list while keeping your budget in check.2. Be sure to have gifts on hand that can be given to anyone … regardless of their tastes. For example, Staples carries colorful Omnitech mini speaker pods in jewel tones for only $10 that can plug into any iPod, Sony PSP, or MP3 player, and are perfect for kids and grown-ups on the go. Digital photo ornaments in the shape of decorative balls or snowflakes make another universally likeable gift for less than $15. These are also time-savers to have on hand for office Yankee swaps, hostess gifts or any unanticipated presents you may need.3. Don't waste time rushing from store to store. Try condensing your shopping visits to the fewest number of stores possible. Pick a shopping destination or two, and commit to buying as many gifts as you can for your list there. If you're looking for the newest tech items, Staples stores offer interactive displays that allow you to get a feel of the newest tech products before you buy, whether you're considering a Kindle for your mother-in-law or a Flip video camera for that next family vacation.4. It's a digital world - follow your favorite shopping places on Facebook and Twitter. Many stores reward their followers with up-to-the-minute deals via these social media outlets. Stores occasionally post exclusive print-out coupons and deals specifically for their Facebook friends, and let you know about upcoming events ahead of time.5. Check out the websites of the stores that you plan to visit before heading into the actual store. You may be surprised by the variety of products some stores offer. It also helps you to become acquainted with the product selection and can help you to nail down specific items for each person on your list, making your trip more efficient. You may even decide to purchase some items directly on the website and have them shipped to the recipient to avoid a trip to the store or post office. For example, Staples.com offers free shipment on items over $50."Every year, inevitably, I get caught up in the frenzy of the season," says McClelland. "However, by sticking to these tips, I can focus on the joy of gift giving and the satisfaction of knowing I did it all under budget."
This article is taken from- http://www.rentaldecorating.com/10-seasonal/simpleholidayshopping1210.html

Family Christmas Gifts and Shopping Online

Christmas is starting to show in the shops already even though there are still many months to go before the Day. And the age old question arises, what should I buy for Christmas gifts? Out comes the Christmas list, who is on it and who is not this year. One thing is for certain your family Moms, Dads, daughters, sons, babies and believe it or not Pets, that is apart from friends and other relations; It is quite a lot of presents when totted up. So what is the best way to tackle this problem? Simple, start early and start ordering online so as to make savings and not have to go ploughing through Christmas shopping malls like a pack mule.
The question still remains, who to buy for and what to buy. What I personally used to do with the children is to sit them down with a toy catalogue and ask them to choose 20 items they would like for Christmas, with the proviso that they would not necessarily get all of them so an order of preference was needed. And that this exercise was just so that I could inform Santa and give him an idea as to what they would like. It works.
When it comes to Christmas Gifts older children and grownups this was more difficult. Especially when the answer to the question, what would you like for Christmas, was greeted with, Oh I don't know surprise me; Great help. So to take some of the burden away for you I have put together a Family Christmas Gift Ideas web site; highlighting some of the gifts that I personally would feel comfortable giving as Christmas presents. Obviously tastes will differ but if you see the kind of thing that might suit your recipient click on the item and you will find many more ideas with regard to colour, size and design. What I've put on the site is to give you an Idea of what you could give to friends and family.
I have separated the pages so that there is a Moms page and pages for Dads, Kids, baby and pets. I presume Grandparents would come under Moms and Dads, but to cover them also I have included a Miscellaneous Page with more, shall we say, Gran and Grandpa things. I realise it is difficult, not to end up rushing around the shops at the last minute, pushing your way through other Christmas Shoppers; But what I have to say is there is another way, Shop online; It beats shopping malls hands down, and if you start early you can spread the cost of Christmas over a longer period so it does not hit all at once. And you will not miss out on that favourite toy, so no disappointed children.

The site is Family Christmas Gifts.weebly.com and that's what it is Family Christmas Gifts for the whole family, full of ideas to make it easier for you to choose Christmas Gifts. My name is Ken Aindow and I will be adding to this site on a regular basis; I also have another site, mainly for Moms and daughters, there is some blue in there also, called "Pink Christmas Gifts" I hope these sites will help you in your search for your Family Gifts. Merry Christmas.
this article is taken from- http://ezinearticles.com/?Family-Christmas-Gifts-and-ShoppingOnline&id=4906071