Holiday Shopping the Elizabeth Allen Way
I love shopping for just the right gift for everyone on my list. I buy all year long and have a designated plastic bin, with a red lid of course, where I stash my purchases. Amazing the things that I find in this box every December. I sometimes even forget where I made some of these purchases but I do make them work for me.
The favorite people to buy for are my great nieces and nephews. They create a list with many outrageous items on it. No, I cannot afford a drone, a dirt bike, a Jeep, or some of the higher end remote control cars. Just looking at the prices gives me an awful case of sticker shock. I did check out their requests, though, and have decided that I need a winning lotto ticket for these purchases (maybe next year). You see, I always need 10 gifts for girls and guys ages 2-16. No small amount of gifts for sure.
The littlest ones are the easiest. Ask them to name a favorite movie and you have so many choices. Who knew that there were so many “Frozen” items to choose from? Gloves, socks, dresses, tights, boots, and nightgowns are just a few of the items that I found in one store where fortunately I had a coupon. I got the boots and will be filling them with treats. The “Frozen” music instruments should really rock her world. The elementary school age guys group likes all things dinosaur, so that was easy. Who knew that they made burping and farting remote control dinosaur? I am not kidding. I, of course, had to try this gift out and was rewarded with some pretty weird sounds that will be a hit with the guys. Their parents will be thrilled.
However, I am still stuck on gift ideas for the teenage young ladies. What I like they will never like so this is my simple formula: buy exactly the opposite of what I think they would like. It works every time. I also have asked the neighborhood teenage girls who, after they look at me like I have 6 heads, offer their advice. Half of the time they are honest; the other half they say anything to get rid of me. I hope they like their gifts this year. I did succumb to the gift card gift but also have purchased a gift that I do not like. I should be safe.
For the seniors on my list, I have purchased the sure fire hit, angel ornaments. All of these senior woman relatives and friends have angels everywhere in their houses so why not add one more? They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, with or without lights, or in sets. This gift is always a hit especially if accompanied with a box of chocolates.
And finally, ever notice the great sales on items for yourself as you are shopping for others? It never fails. I have disciplined myself enough to buy for others first and to then get 3 or 4 things for me. That is the perfect way to end a long day of shopping with my myriad of coupons.
Hope that all of you have Happy Holiday shopping day! I know that I will.