| Depending on one's perspective, choosing | | | | early and have wrapped and ready to go before |
| appropriate Christmas gifts can either be a | | | | the first Christmas flyers hit your mailbox. |
| joyful exercise or an | | | | If you're really savvy, and you know someone |
| avoid-it-until-the-last-possible-minute | | | | who loves Christmas, take in the |
| disaster. Kudos to those who handle buying | | | | Christmas-themed merchandise sales in early |
| Christmas gifts with ease: your finesse is to | | | | January to find inexpensive ornaments, |
| be applauded. For the more wretched shoppers | | | | glassware and other goodies that make great |
| who can use a bit of help, here are some tips | | | | Christmas gifts for those who sing Jingle |
| to make finding great Christmas gifts a | | | | Bells all year long. |
| little bit easier: | | | | |
| | | | - Go online - the World Wide Web is a Mecca |
| - Make a list - there's no shame in writing | | | | for shoppers of all types and you're |
| down names and ideas before you hit the | | | | guaranteed to find super ideas for Christmas |
| stores. Even Santa needs a list to keep track | | | | gifts for family and friends without ever |
| of Christmas gifts! It's a good idea to shop | | | | having to leave your home! Better yet, if |
| for Christmas gifts for immediate family and | | | | you're a klutz with tape, many online |
| close friends first. Once you have all the | | | | retailers will wrap and ship Christmas gifts |
| must-buy-for people stroked off your list, | | | | to either you or your intended recipient for |
| you can concentrate on others people like | | | | very little money. The selection of goods |
| neighbors. Having a list will also help you | | | | that can be found online is incredible, so |
| avoid unintentionally buying two Christmas | | | | don't be afraid to try something new when |
| gifts for the same person, and if you're | | | | searching for Christmas gifts this year. |
| working with a limited budget, seeing a | | | | |
| written record of everyone you want to shop | | | | - Budget - for a budget to be useful, you |
| for gives you an opportunity to trim the list | | | | have to stick to it. Think about how much you |
| to a more manageable size. | | | | want to spend on Christmas gifts before you |
| | | | shop, and don't despair if you can't afford a |
| - Shop early - yes, shopping carts grow | | | | lot. Christmas gifts don't have to be |
| bigger and more difficult to handle and | | | | expensive to be appreciated. In fact, |
| shoppers desperately combing store shelves | | | | inexpensive handmade Christmas gifts are |
| for Christmas gifts get even crankier and | | | | often the most cherished items under the |
| more unruly as the big day approaches. Bypass | | | | tree. Consider crafting your own Christmas |
| the crowds by shopping earlier in the year. | | | | gifts: family photo scrapbooks, homemade |
| Whether you're touring a summertime farmers' | | | | mustards and gourmet salad dressings, or |
| market or just hanging out at the mall while | | | | knitted scarves are all sure to be loved, and |
| the kids catch a movie, keep your eyes peeled | | | | require only a little money and a bit of |
| for possible Christmas gifts you can buy | | | | effort to create. |