Let’s face it: Very few of us enjoy holiday shopping. Crowded malls, rude sales clerks, and pushy shoppers make it very hard to find pleasure in heading out to find the gifts for all of your loved ones. You can make it a lot easier on yourself (and your wallet) this year by following these holiday shopping tips and tricks.

Stick to Your Budget

Going into the holiday season without a budget is mistake number one, and that’s how we can quickly dig ourselves into Christmas debt that will make the New Year harder than it needs to be. Include money for presents, food, travel, and any other Christmas necessities. Make a list of the people you need to buy gifts for, and put a maximum budget next to each name. Once you have these estimates, it will be easier for you to brainstorm gift ideas that won’t deplete your wallet. It will also put you on the lookout for coupons, and awareness of our limits is sometimes all we need to avoid costly mistakes.

Online Shopping is Your Friend

Get your Christmas presents online and save yourself the struggle of fighting against angry crowds, impossible parking structures, and irritable retail workers this holiday season. Many online websites offer awesome gift finders, and your items can be sent to the destination of your choice. That means you won’t have to worry about traveling with bulky presents—your gifts might even make it to your travel destination before you do.

Shop for Presents Early

The early bird really does get the worm, and this phrase is definitely true during the Christmas season. Waiting until the last minute means less selection and less likelihood that you’ll receive all of your purchases in time for the big day. Start early and thank yourself later, because you won’t believe the amount of stress it takes off of your shoulders. Many companies offer Black Friday deals online after the Thanksgiving holiday, so you can shop from the comfort of your couch and still get your presents in time. There are also Cyber Monday deals to take advantage of on the following—you guessed it—Monday. Doing something early has never felt so good. (At this point, you’ll have to remember this tip for 2016!)

Get Grocery Basics Ahead of Time

If you’re in charge of hosting any Christmas events this year and you are planning an intricate menu, head out to the grocery store today and grab all the sustainable basics you can. This will mean a smaller list when the big day actually arrives—less time in the grocery store, because all you will need is the fresh items required for your recipes. If you just need fresh veggies and fruits, you can also order a delivery from a company like Farm Fresh to You, who will deliver a box of delicious produce right to your front door. The best part is their deliveries always include seasonal offerings, so you know you’re getting the most natural offerings in their prime.

Use Coupon Apps

You can easily save money by using some well-designed coupon apps. Some of my favorites include Retailmenot.com, Target’s personal coupon app called Cartwheel (a lifesaver when you’re wandering around that huge store) and Groupon.

Make Homemade Gifts

If you want to avoid shopping completely, make this the year of the homemade gift in your family. Whether it’s delicious, fresh out of the oven cookies, baked banana bread, or even a jar of your very own pickles, homemade food items make thoughtful and inexpensive gifts that are appropriate for any relationship and recipients of any age. You can encourage family members to join in on this idea, so there will be no lingering guilt about not being able to spend as much.

In Case of Last-Minute Shopping

If you’re here looking for some last-minute gift advice, I haven’t left you out! You may be in luck, because multiple online outlets may offer free holiday shopping closer to the big day. Companies that have offered this service in the past include LL Bean and Best Buy. Definitely do your online research and find out who might be your shopping savior this month to get those Christmas presents to your door just in time.

 

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now
So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Her View From Home

Millions of mothers connected by love, friendship, family and faith. Join our growing community. 1,000+ writers strong. We pay too!   Find more information on how you can become a writer on Her View From Home at https://herviewfromhome.com/contact-us/write-for-her//

I Didn’t Know Anxiety until I Knew Grief

In: Grief, Living, Loss, Motherhood
Woman crouched on ground by waterfront

If you had known me for the first 45 years of my life, you would say I was an extrovert. I loved going places, meeting new people, and striking up conversations with all ages. I talk a lot, often sharing too much in the way of being transparent. It’s been said that I have never met a stranger. Yes, I will admit, I am that woman you see in the grocery store line starting up conversations with the people around me. A few years ago, my life started changing, and I struggled with becoming introverted. Though I had once loved...

Keep Reading

We Built a Rock-Solid Foundation in Our Little Home

In: Living, Marriage
Couple on front porch

I found my brand-new husband, sitting on the floor of the only bedroom in our brand-new house. His back propped against the wall, muscular legs extending from his khaki shorts, bare feet overlapping at the ankles. His arms were crossed in a gesture of defiance and there was an unfamiliar, challenging scowl on his face. Plopping down beside him on the scratchy harvest gold carpeting, I asked, “What’s wrong?” “This is it?” he mumbled. “This is what we used our savings for?” I stood up, tugging on his bent elbows in a vain attempt to get him to his feet....

Keep Reading

I Am an Adult with Autism

In: Living, Motherhood
Mother and three children in wildflowers, color photo

Thirty years. That’s how long it took for me to get the right diagnoses. Thirty years. Of struggles. Of shame. Of depression and anxiety. Of bullying. All without knowing the true causes and what was really going on. I never would have believed you if you told me a few years ago that I was autistic. It wasn’t until all three of my children were diagnosed with autism that I started to see the similarities and begin to question. At first, I thought there was no way. Wouldn’t I have known by now? It just can’t be. So I threw...

Keep Reading

I’m Thankful for the Community We’ve Found

In: Friendship, Living, Motherhood
Community on street having a picnic

It was the end of the school holidays, and the return to school after Christmas was looming. The children had had two weeks at home. The general sense of routine was lost for the boys, with late nights and relaxing days watching YouTube while playing their Switch. I was eager for routine to make a reappearance through school. As we headed into the weekend before the start of school, Josh had a cough and then a fever, and it became clear this would not be the week I had envisioned. By Monday morning the boys appeared more lethargic than usual,...

Keep Reading

Kate Middleton Reveals Cancer Diagnosis

In: Living, News

After weeks of speculation about her whereabouts, Kate Middleton has surfaced with a shocking announcement: she’s been diagnosed with cancer. In a video released Friday, Catherine, the Princess of Wales sits on an outdoor bench and speaks directly to the camera about her diagnosis. It follows a “planned abdominal surgery” announced by the Royal family in January. At that time, the Palace said Kate would not resume her Royal duties until Easter. At the time, Kate says, the procedure was believed to be for something non-cancerous. After the surgery, it was determined cancer was present. The type of cancer has...

Keep Reading

Invite People Over, It’s Always Worth It

In: Friendship, Living
Family greeting friends on front steps of house

I meticulously vacuumed and mopped, water streaks practically mocking me with the contrast of dirty to clean. Tending to the floors was always my least favorite chore, but now that people were coming over, it was a necessity I couldn’t ignore. I obsessively worried that crumbs would stick to guest’s feet during dinner and that thought alone sent me into round three of detecting those that were camouflaged. When the new couple arrived, I was relieved they were wearing socks. I had set the table with extra linens and placemats to which my perplexed children inquired, “What are these?” as...

Keep Reading

Find True Friends and Hold on Tight

In: Friendship, Living, Motherhood
Friends walking away with arms linked

I’m a mother of two young boys, ages three years old and three months old. Since the recent birth of my youngest son, I’ve transitioned from therapist and social worker in the workplace to stay-at-home mom. I’ve come to realize I’m no expert on parenting and there are many things I’m uncertain of as a mother, but there is one thing that I’m completely sure of . . . we all need the real mom friends in our lives. The real mom friends are the ones who show up authentically for you in your life and provide you with the...

Keep Reading

My Aunt Is the Woman I Want to Become

In: Faith, Living
Woman with older woman smiling

It’s something she may not hear enough, but my aunt is truly amazing. Anyone who knows her recognizes her as one-of-a-kind in the best way possible. It’s not just her playful jokes that bring a smile to my face, her soul is genuinely the sweetest I know. I hope she knows that I see her, appreciate her, and acknowledge all the effort she puts in every day, wholeheartedly giving of herself to everyone around her. When I look back on my childhood, I see my aunt as a really important part of it. We have shared so much time together,...

Keep Reading

To the Family with a Loved One in Jail

In: Grief, Living
Woman with head in hands

At first, I wanted to hide. I didn’t want to face people anywhere, not at the grocery store, not at work, not even at church. I was ashamed, hurt, and humiliated. It was after that day not so long ago when one of my sisters called me, sobbing so hard I could barely understand the awful message she was telling me. He’s been arrested, she was saying. We need to go tell Mom. Oh, God, no. Please, please, no. How can this even be real? But it was real. RELATED: Tragedy Changes You, But it Doesn’t Have To Ruin You...

Keep Reading

What Daniel Tiger Taught Me About Standing up for What’s Right

In: Living, Motherhood
Two young girls climbing a tree, color photo

On a beautiful, sunny morning, I was with mama friends and all our kiddos. Between the five of us, we had two to four kids each, the oldest at six years old and the youngest had just learned to walk. I had my daughter in my lap as I sat squished in a toddler chair at a small table. She was picking up Goldfish crackers one by one, and I was talking happily with my friends. But then someone brought up a recent Daniel Tiger episode with a tang in her voice that concerned me. I recalled the exact episode she...

Keep Reading