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Holiday Gift Buying - Tea Talk

Happy Monday! Am I the only person who notices how fast time is flying by! Geesh, it's almost November. I'd be lying if I didn't say how excited I am for the next two months though. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas, this is my favorite time of year. I always joke and say I am a Christmas Elf 🎄, because I truly love the holiday cheer. I mean it's October and I'm already working on my Christmas Playlist. Once November 1st comes, it's Holiday tunes until December 31st (sorry to all family and friends, you have been warned in advance lol).

Part of the Holiday Season is buying gifts, at least for me it is. I get so much joy out of giving gifts to my family and friends, finding them things I know they will love! Since I am a true Christmas Elf, I figured today's Tea Talk should be about my gift buying tips and tricks. You don't have to break the bank to give someone you love a nice gift, so let's get into it!

The first thing I do when preparing to buy gifts for people is check my stock pile. Yes, I have a stock pile of gifts that I buy things for all year around. This method saves me so much time and MONEY. As I am out and about, if I see something for a loved one (especially if it's a great deal), I grab it and put it in my stock pile. By Christmas time, I usually have a few items for each person ready to go. This is a great idea because we all know how hectic holiday shopping can be and we also know how stores tend to mark up prices this time of year. Also, I hate feeling pressured to find people things on the spot, so I like taking my time and if I see something for someone, I just buy it and hang on to it. Trust me, it works!

After I check my stock pile, I then make a list of the remaining people I still need to buy for. A list is key, that way your not in the store buying your Bestie's 6 gifts when you already have 6 gifts for them at home (I've done this before lol). Lesson Learned. I make a list of everyone I need to buy for, what I have already bought for them and what I need to look out for to finish off their gift.

Next up, I look for sales! Around November, especially Black Friday, I do the majority of my shopping to finish up. Yes, I shop sales. No, I'm not embarrassed to say that and all my family and friends know it! I'm a proud deal finder. It's the thought that counts anyway, so who cares if you got that sweater for 50% off. As long as the person will love it, they won't care if it was $10! Check the local ads, and plan out your shopping based on sales. This can be a little time consuming but it's worth it if your a budget friendly person like myself. If this is a little too planned out, go for discount stores like Tj Maxx and Homegoods to find great gifts for a cheaper price!

Once you get all your gifts, next you typically wrap them up, right? This can be costly too but it doesn't have to be! I only buy gift wrap if there is a LOT on the roll. Don't go for rolls that will only wrap 3 gifts. Pay attention to how much is on the roll. Lately, I've gone to gift bag route. If you want a nice quality bag for cheap, check out Tj Maxx or Homegood, they tend to be $1.99-2.99. If you want an even cheaper bag, try Dollar Tree, all sizes for $1!

Depending on how much you want to spend, don't be afraid to shop wherever you can afford to shop. Again, it's the thought that counts and it's not about going broke! If you are on a tight budget, don't knock Dollar Tree or 5 Below. You can find some good quality items at these stores for a cheap price. They often carry bath bombs, face masks, makeup, nail polish, cute socks, craft items...the list goes on! So think outside the box and only do what you can. Most importantly, don't forget what the Holiday Season is about at its core, spending time with loved ones and celebrating!

"Give thanks for a little, and you will find a lot"

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