(Sorry this was set up as a auto post and it failed yesterday!!!! Comment away!) FIRST, there was something about having a contest today, wasn’t there? Oh yes!!!! I’m excited! I am giving away ONE HOME HUB SYSTEM. This is the ultimate notebook system for corraling paperwork! How can you win it? Post a comment to this blog before 11:59 pm on Saturday Nov 22, 2008, at which time the contest will end. A randomly drawn winner will be announced on Sunday Nov 23, 2008 - before midnight – in our regular weekly blog. Now on with the Season…
At the risk of sounding like a school marm… Did everyone do their homework? We all have our nice little lists, divided into columns, and ready to fill in the blanks with this handy blog posting, right? And that will lead us to just one thing… shopping!
Did somebody say shopping??? Isn't that just your favorite contact sport? Ah, "Black Friday". The excuse that women use for getting up at 3 am to go to their local stuff-mart to elbow, hair-pull, and scrimmage their way to the mile-long check out line for special offers from the stores - and all for the joy of purchasing this year's rendition of Tickle Me Elmo. What? You don't want to be a part of that brawl this year? Hmmm... me neither.
Maybe your problem is similar to mine. Maybe you have to buy gifts for people (read: family members) whom you hardly know. Do you end up spending hours wandering the malls and marts to try to find that special gift that will please the recipient? Look no more I have the answer!
But first... THINK about this whole downsizing, streamlining, lack of clutter you are trying to bring into your own life. (That is why you're here, isn't it?) Now, let's try to do that when we're shopping for those special people on our list. Let’s be on the look out this season for a gift that the recipient will actually use. Novel concept? You betcha! Here is the answer you’ve been waiting for...
This is the Ultimate gift finder. It is totally free to use. It will scour the internet (yep, this whole crazy web thingy) for unique gift choices just for you. All you have to do is fill in a minor detail or two (gender, age, interests, occasion) about the gift recipient. Another perk of using this site is that you can get ideas without making a commitment. You can even go to the retailer sites from the gifts.com site and find more ideas! Yes, it helped me find that wine chiller for my "hard to shop for" family member last year as well as sparking gift ideas for out of town relatives. Personally, I have a hard time of thinking of gifts to put on my own wish list for Santa. I have used this handy tool at gifts.com to help me out on more than one occasion.
Are you a parent or a grandparent (or an aunt or an uncle) looking for toys for the tot in your life? Try the search features on www.target.com or www.toysrus.com for age appropriate toy ideas.
Are you trying to compile a wish list for yourself? Use the sites listed above to see what unique things you can find for you!
Still no luck? Get a gift card. Make it personal. Think about the recipient's tastes on this one. For example, if the recipient is a luddite, a gift card for an electronic or computer store is probably not the best idea; however a restaurant gift card for that uncle who enjoys fine dining - a gift card to an Aunt's favorite boutique - some movie passes for the college student (babysitter) - and a bookstore gift card for the reader whose favorite author will be releasing a book past your holiday celebration deadline.
Finish filling out Column B on all of your lists and…
Are you feeling empowered? I know I am! Make sure to let me know what unique things you're finding along the way. juliebavi@gmail.com
Are you ready to simplify your holiday?
Finish filling out Column B on all of your lists and…
LET'S GO SHOPPING!
Professional Organizer
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5 comments:
What great advice thank you! I really need to declutter our home. I'm glad Elli sent me your way!
I have to admit that I did not do my homework, but I promise I'll start this afternoon! I'm going to Simplify the Season!!
I started my Christmas shopping list, but don't have column B filled out BUT I have lots of ideas. Plus, I have vowed to buy only from Etsy sellers (for all adults and most kids... check our personalized bookplate stickers). Love the homemade items. I found many through our adoption waiting, many families trying to make extra money and be "SAHM's".
So on-line shopping is my favorite thing to do. Just need to get to it.
I will finish my homework with DH's help! Thanks for checking our blog!
Alyson
Alyzabeth's Mommy for Nine Weeks!
:) I actually sat down and did this today without having read your blog post from last week. I never really thought I was an organized shopper.. I guess being on a super tight budget helps.
I've also started doing this so I make sure not to short-change one of my kids (one October birthday and two December birthdays) with 'combining' too many gifts. It's easy to do. This way I make sure the dollar amount is somewhat equivalent.
Thanks Julie!
The contest is over. Thanks for playing! Barring some unforeseen fiasco, the winner will be announced by the close of the day, as promised. ~J
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