With Halloween just behind us and Thanksgiving a couple weeks away, Christmas will be here before we know it.

Here are some tips for shopping for the holidays:

Get a plan. You should develop a workable holiday budget. To do so, first list all holiday-related expenses, starting with the obvious gifts and decorations. However, remember items such as postage, charitable donations and travel. Add up the total and compare that with what you have available to spend. If it’s more than you can afford, look for areas to trim expenses.

– Evaluate your gift list. Your list should be limited to family and perhaps close friends, depending on your budget. For those you are unable to buy for, send a personal holiday card or note. Determine how much you want to spend on each person and keep in mind that some of the most thoughtful gifts cost next to nothing. For instance, give time or services such as babysitting or create a handcrafted gift instead of a store-bought item. Often these gifts can mean more to a recipient than something on which you’ve spent a lot of money.

– Shop smart. Never shop in a rush or under pressure because that can lead to overspending. With extra time, you can comparison shop and search for the best possible deal. Before you buy, take a “time-out” and ask yourself if the gift is appropriate for the recipient and within your spending limit.

source: Everything Christmas Website

Serendipity Shopping List: