I know it you are like me, you waited until the last minute to shop for your love ones and hope to score big on deals.  It would be a perfect world if you had brought all your gifts in July and you were now just sending the Holiday cards but you’re not.  So I have some helpful tips for you. 

·         The first step you must do is forgive yourself for shopping so late.  I understand thinks come up, especially with an economy that is slowly moving for the better.

·         Set a budget on how much you want to spend and stick to it.  Do not get caught with the commercialize gimmicks that stores advertise. For example buy two and get one free, that seems like a good deal but in reality you only need one.

·         Search for coupons and deals for gift items on the internet or local stores.  Shopping early does have their rewards but for last minute shoppers, you can sometime rack up to 75% on an item.  Some stores might match an item price from another store.  When shopping always compare items by cost and quality.  The cost might be good but the quality might not.  It will save you in the long run to have brought something worth the value of the price.

·         Be creative with your gifts.  Find out what each person hobbies, likes and needs are.  Knowing what a person need might come out cheaper for you.  For example your friend might need a sitter; you can give her two weeks free of charge of babysitting for her kids.  What mother would not want that?  You might be saying that you already do that but you can be creative with it and put your personal touch with it.  You can have a fun night with the kids while your friend has a mommy day.  Most of the time many people needs are the simple things that we just over look, to be loved.

·         Finally, my favorite giving cards.  I love doing this because it lets your love one know that you are thinking about them.  Everyone is so technology savvy by sending texts, email, video chat and just about everything else that has taken way of writing a hand written letter or just sending a card in the mail.  I don’t know about you, but I still get excited when I get a card in the mail.  It just makes me feel so special.  Anyone can write an email but to write a hand written letter or a card it takes a special person.  It means that the person who sends you a letter cares about you and took the time out of their busy schedule just for you.  Hand written letters or cards speak volume to an individual especially when they write words of encouragement in them.

The golden rule for buying smart is keeping it simple.  Do not stretch yourself too far in your budget.  In the end just being a part of your love one life and taking the time to be there for them is what really matters.