Ways to Shop Smart This Chirstmas

You don't have to burn holes in your wallet or tear your hair out just to spread some Christmas joy. Make this Christmas the season to be shopping smartly!

Smart Tip 1: Make a gift list (and stick to it!)

Before you head out to the malls filled with enough bravado to fuel a samurai before a battle you should be armed with a full proof gift list. The list should contain names of people that you're buying the gifts for and how much you would ideally like to spend for them. Planning a gift list and allocating a specific amount to each person might not seem like a lot of fun, but you need to have some idea of what your Christmas budget is like. The best idea is to have a price range so you know the maximum amount you can spend on the gift and by doing so; you're setting a spending limit.

It's also a good idea to have a back up gift for each person just in case your original gift is sold our or you can't find it! Don't wait till the last minute to do your shopping because most people tend to do just that. If you're not a big fan of these constant annoyances, please plan your Christmas shopping early!

Smart Tip 2: No rushing!

Your best bet is to go shopping as early in the morning as possible, to avoid the afternoon crowds and loud atmosphere, and to lower the chances of popular items selling out. Also, if you head out early enough, you'll at least have time to head to another store if they do run out of the desired item or if plan A just doesn't work. Always keep in mind that unplanned shopping tends to promote impulse buying, which leads to overspending. However, if you intend on planning your shopping for next Christmas, then you might consider taking your time when making your Christmas purchases. This will allow you to put a little more thought into the gifts as well as find the right bargains. It's a win-win situation; the person receiving the gift will appreciate it more since more thought was put into it, and it will surely cost you less considering you went bargain hunting and had time to shop around.

Smart Tip 3: Stick to the plan and attack

Once you have your list, make a plan of action. In order to do anything efficiently, a plan is always required. So, if you know that the record store is a block away from the electronics store (to get your dad those gadgets he's been bugging you for), kill several birds with one stone by doing all the shopping within the same proximity. Plan exactly where you want to go ahead of time, and map your shopping time by geographic locations. By the same token, if your niece's favourite store happens to be right next to your office, go there on your lunch break or after work and cross that gift off your list.

Smart Tip 4: Cash and not plastic

Once you know who you're shopping for and what you're getting them, the difficult part will be sticking to the list, since the "wow" factor of some things might lead you to buy impulsively. A good trick is to carry cash instead of bundles of credit cards, and only bring what you intend on spending. This will make it a lot easier to stick to the plan and it's also a great way to avoid over spending.

Smart Tip 5: Personalised

Why not purchase something small but relevant for each person on your list, and write out a note telling them how you feel about them. You can include in your note your new decision about Christmas, and what it means to you. So, the idea is to make each gift unique because of different memories and relationships. The best thing about this idea is that you spend much less and you don't have to worry about giving a gift that your loved ones never use! Everyone wins.

Smart Tip 6- Agree on amount early on

Another possibility for avoiding self-destruction is adopting "The Limit" (this is not the same as The Limited.) With The Limit, everyone agrees ahead of time not to spend more than such-and such for each person's gift. It doesn't sound too Christmas cheery but you will be surprised the amount of pressure you will be taking off for everyone. Do you think you are the only one stressing over gifts? In a way, you will be doing everybody a favour. Besides, the set limit will force people to think a little out of the box and come out with creative gifts. You might even be pleasantly surprised.

Smart Tip 7: Think small

Finally, there's "The Stocking." Using this technique, you only buy what fits into the Christmas stocking. This can be the main Christmas activity or a bountiful opener of the festivities that makes smaller presents later feel quite satisfying. Good gifts for the stocking include soaps, scents, candles, a favourite chocolate, funny little toys, gloves, whatever fits. The idea is to be witty, have fun and enjoy small luxuries. If you think one gift is too little then fill the stocking up with great gifts such as soaps, scents, candles, a favourite chocolate, funny little toys, gloves and whatever fits. Sure, it takes guts to deconstruct Christmas and make it work for you, but the payoff is fabulous.

• Remember that you are shopping for others on Christmas and not for yourself! It's easy to get carried away especially when you are using credit card.

• If you aren't sure on sizes, do ask the store assistance if it's alright to come back within a day or two to exchange sizes. Make sure the colour, and the pattern you purchase is still in stock to avoid disappointments!

• When making your gift list do try to list down at least two alternatives so if your first choice doesn't work out, you won't be left wandering around blindly in the mall.

• Never buy gifts out of desperation;' you can always come back the next day!

• When buying large items, check with the store if they do delivery so you won't have to lugged the present all across the mall to the car park.

• Remember it's the thought that counts; don't get pulled in to the idea that the best gifts are the most expensive. Make an effort to find out what your loved ones really want this Christmas