Christmas Shopping, Tips and Deals!



You can get your own Black Friday T at Black Friday Ads

Can you believe we are only 68 days, 14 hours, 29 minutes and 20 seconds until Christmas (at the time of this writing...at the time of your reading the time is even less!!!)

This morning after I dropped my boys off at school it hit... the Christmas Shopping Bug!  All of the sudden I was ready to get myself in gear to GET IT DONE!  Actually, this year I may do some Black Friday shopping.  I haven't done that in years but I guess I am feeling dangerous and want to live life on the cutting edge this year.  I haven't committed to this plan yet, so don't hold me to it (I am a sucker for sleeping in so that very may well trump any aspiration I have to run with the big dogs of shopping.)

One of the best preps for Black Friday Shopping is the website: Black Friday Ads!  They have already been sharing ads from retailers (some of them leaked) showing the deals that are to be had. You can also learn about some pretty nifty need to know tips such as Best Buy planning to do some limited*  price-matching of online retailers this holiday season while also offering free shipping on items not available in stores. The new policy is said to go into effect starting Sunday, November 4.  Black Friday Ads is a free service and you can sign up for emails and then receive all those early ads delivered right to your inbox or you can just browse the site.   If you plan to be tackle shopping on the most dangerous day of the year...make sure you go prepared!

Do you have your shopping face ON?

47...

Source: bluevelvetvintage.com via Bella on Pinterest

Yes, only 47 days until Christmas! Every year I get excited about the holidays, but this year I think I am looking forward to them more than usual. Maybe it is because we are more settled here than we were last year? Maybe because 2011 has been a particularly stressful year and I am desperate for the joy and comfort that the holidays bring? Who knows?

I do know that I am looking forward to twinkling lights, Christmas music (well, I have already been indulging in that very liberally), Christmas movies, quiet evenings reading with my kids while the Christmas tree stands guard, baking and doing crafts with my children, parties with friends and family. I am even looking forward to seeing Santa out and about!

The stress of 2011 won't be gone when the holidays are, and will still be there in 2012, but I am so looking forward to sometime just to focus on this miraculous holiday! We are facing some hard issues personally, but we are still so very blessed and I am assured that God has a plan and He is in control. Christmas will still happen and the celebration is what I need....isn't it what we have all needed...to celebrate the birth of a Savior?

83 Days Until....

Christmas!  Yes, I am counting down. 

Yesterday, though, someone asked me, "Why are counting down the days until Christmas already?" It was asked not entirely in a rude way, but asked in an almost accusatory tone, as if I had violated some terms of service of which I was unaware.  Instead of being taken aback by the delivery of the question, it actually got me to thinking clearly about why I like to count down, not just to Christmas, but the entire holiday season. 

I have learned that if I want to fully enjoy the season (from Thanksgiving all the way through Christmas) I have to be organized ahead of time. I love everything about Thanksgiving and Christmas - except the stress and busyness.  My solution is to do as much as possible before the season begins.  I want my decorating done early and most, if not all, of my shopping done and wrapped early.  I like menus planned and parties scheduled.

Doing much of the prep. ahead of time, frees me to enjoy the best part of the season...the people and the celebration of Jesus' birth. 

I want to be free to share special times with my family... baking, doing crafts, watching Christmas movies or reading Christmas stories... without feeling a to-do list a mile long weighing on my shoulders.  Taking care of the holiday stresses BEFORE the holiday arrives, frees us to have friends over, go to parties, attend Christmas concerts or just head out simply to drive around and enjoy the sights of the season. All the preplanning and organizing actually allows us to be spontaneous during the holidays because there is no pressure to get this or that done.  We are free to savor the fleeting moments of this special time.  I don't want my children's memories of the holiday season to revolve around a cranky Mom who seems frazzled and stressed out and ready to get Christmas over and done with. 

So, it may seem bizarre to some that I start thinking and planning so far in advance, but it makes our Christmas less stressful and we make more memories with our friends and family.