Countdown to Christmas: Online Shopping

Shopping Week

Skip the stores, crowds and long lines and do your shopping online. I found a helpful article over at MSN Money on Savvy Tips for Shopping Online. It covers shopping safely, special offers and best prices.

When I order items online, I keep all email confirmations in a folder labeled "Orders" in Outlook. I also keep track of my purchases with my Internet / Catalog Shopping List.

I love shopping online because:

• I can find great deals without paying for shipping many times.
• It saves me time!
• I can find items that I can't find in stores in my area.
• The variety is endless!

Countdown To Christmas: Shopping Week

This is my second week of Countdown To Christmas and it's Shopping Week.

Before you head out to the stores, take time to make lists. I have a few options for you so you can choose which form works best for you.

• Holiday Shopping List

It also pays to think about your budget ahead of time.

• Holiday Budget Sheet

Still deciding what gifts to give? Take some time to brainstorm ideas. Keep jotting ideas down throughout the year.

If you are cooking or baking for the Holidays, be sure to determine your menu and shopping list before food shopping.

• Grocery Shopping List
  
• Shopping List with Menu

Countdown to Halloween

There are 16 days left until Halloween. Are you prepared? Here are some things to think about to get ready for the spooky day.

Decorations
Gather all your Halloween or Fall decorations. Sort through the items and get rid of any broken pieces. If there are decorations that you aren’t displaying, pass them on or donate them. Now is a great time to weed through your decorations.

It’s always a good idea to do some de-cluttering before putting up the decorations. Here are some past De-cluttering Ideas.

When the season has passed, store your Halloween and Fall decorations together in labeled bins. You might also have your Thanksgiving decorations in the same containers so you can pull those out as you are putting your Halloween themed décor away.

Costumes
Has everyone in your family chosen their costume? Are there items that need to be made or purchased? If you are making the costumes, be sure to give yourself enough time so that you are not sewing on tails as your little creatures are running out the door. You might even want to put a reminder on your calendar for next year to allow time for costume making so you don’t feel rushed.

Treats
What about treats? Will you be handing out candy to the neighborhood goblins? What about small prizes in place of sweet treats, such as pencils, crayon, plastic bugs, etc? Are you contributing to your children’s classroom party? Will you be hosting a scary gathering of your own? What ghostly goodies do you plan to make?

Shopping
If a shopping trip is in order, be sure to make a master list. Make note of the items and the store where they might be located. If your family really loves to celebrate Halloween, it’s also not a bad idea to consider making a budget. It’s so easy to get carried away at the store when you see all the fun stuff but the extras add up fast. Here’s a Simple Halloween Shopping List to help keep it all organized.

For more Works For Me Ideas, visit We Are THAT Family.