The countdown is on and there are 100 days till Christmas. Mel and I have joined forces again to bring you a ten part blog series to cut through the clutter and stress of Christmas. We promise there will be no major list writing, folder making, printing or organising processes.There are some really wonderful websites that do those things brilliantly and if that's what you need a quick google will give you that and so much more.
Instead we are offering our no nonsense just do it approach.
Today we are looking at gifts. This will be the only time we say get pen and paper or grab your phone and write a list. But really there is no way out of it. You need to know where you are heading with your gifts.
So keep it simple - a cute little notebook you can keep in your bag ( away from prying eyes ) or you may like to download this app for your phone, or just a lined piece of paper and an envelope to keep it safe will suffice.
Name ---- Gift----Budget
You can do it much fancier but that's the basics, remember we are keeping it simple.
Write down everyone you are buying for, if you have already bought something or made something write it in or if you have an idea of what you'd like to get them write it in.
Pop it in your bag when you are done and you'll always have it on you.
Now what to do with the blanks on that list? You do still have 100 days. It's not too late to be planning some handmade gifts. Work out who you are making for and what you are making and a rough idea of how long it will take you and when you are going to get started.
Where to start? Pinterest of course :) Mel and I both have Pinboards with lots of lovely things pinned. You most likely do too. Check them out. Yes I really did just say go spend some quality time on pinterest with your list. Here are some goodies I have pinned on my boards.
Handmade is always lovely but realistically the vast majority of us don't have time or even skill to make everything we would like so etsy is the next best thing. With 100 days out you still have plenty of time to get some etsy orders in and delivered. Working to your budget, calculate how many gifts you can get each pay period -try and structure your purchases so that you are getting from the furtherest away first. I placed an etsy order on the 25th August from a seller in Europe and there is still no sign of my parcel.
Book depository for your bookoholics - you probably want your orders in by end of October at the latest - The delivery from there slows up from early November on. I really have to start thinking about some books for the girls.
Save time by planning your shopping online first. There are very few bricks and morter stores that don't have websites so you can check out ideas online before you even start to go into stores
Finally check the dates for your local handmade/art markets. As we head to Christmas they tend to have lots of goods geared specifically towards gift giving so it's well worth planning a visit.
I hope that gives you lots to think about - try not to think too long - You have ten days to write your list and do your research - oh and the rule is if you find something fabulous you have to come back here and tell me.
Don't forget to pop over to Mel's blog to see her lovely lists of gifts to make and things she would like to buy.
Good luck happy list writing and online planning ;)
Quick Recap
- Write a list
- Do some online research
- Fill in all the blanks on your list
- Get started on your homemade gifts
- Plan your budget as to when you'll place your orders/go shopping/visit the markets
Next Scheduled Post - 26th September - Charity Planning
