**Full Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sverve. All opinions are my own.
Christmas is my favorite time of year. In addition to all the family time, I love the music, the colors of the season, the temperatures and the gift-giving! I usually have the majority of my holiday shopping done before Thanksgiving because I like the feeling of accomplishment it gives me. Not only does it relieve some of the last-minute stress but it seems to be easier on my wallet, too, because I’m spreading the purchases out over several months.
I haven’t started my holiday shopping yet this year, though. But there is plenty of time to get it done and my goal is to get everything purchased by the weekend after Thanksgiving!
Yet, here I am, giving you tips for how to get a head start on your holiday shopping! Ha!
- Start early! Have your kids make their wish lists so you know which items to watch for sales on.
- Make a ‘to buy’ list and check it twice! Even if it isn’t comprehensive, you’ll know what you have and what’s left to purchase.
- Check clearance & sale racks all year long. You never know what you might find!
- Keep an inventory. If you buy something in July, you don’t want to forget that it’s stuffed in your closet!
- Take time to shop alone. If you don’t have others with you, it’s easier to focus on getting things marked off your list.
- Shop online! If you don’t have time to go to the store, shopping online will save your sanity.
Starting October 4th (and running through December 13th), Walmart will be hosting the Holiday Toyland! Guests will be able to interact with some of this years hottest toys including: Leapfrog LeapTV, Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch, Just Play Doc McStuffins Get Better Talking Mobile Clinic, Mattel Hot Wheels Street Remote Control Flying Car, and so many others.
I’ll be attending the Holiday Toyland event at my local Walmart on October 4th. Follow my experience through Instagram and Twitter with the #chosenbykids hashtag. Additionally, I’ll be reviewing the Just Play Doc McStuffins Get Better Talking Mobile Clinic. So check back to see what I think about that toy for this holiday season.
Will you attend the Holiday Toyland in-store event at your Walmart?
Great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Oh shopping online is my most favorite tip! I went Black Friday shopping once. Never. Again. LOL
I usually enjoy Black Friday shopping but since stores have started opening at midnight (rather than 4am), it’s not nearly as much fun.
Shopping online is how I get such AMAAAZING deals. Although I will avoid Kohl’s this year after what a shipping mess they had.
I’m that crazy lady shopping the two weeks before Christmas. I should really be more prepared.
Great Ideas! My kids love shopping with me at Walmart
I should probably not procrastinate on shopping this year. Thanks!
I hope to attend the Holiday Toyland in-store event at my local WalMart. Sounds like a ton of fun!
Keeping an inventory is really important for me. I make a spreadsheet with everyone’s names & gift ideas throughout the year.
I have to shop alone. I swear I can’t focus if I’m with other people!
I will have to check in my local to store to see when and if they are hosting it, which I’m sure they are. It will be fun to follow along with your store’s event!
Thanks for the tip about Holiday Toyland at Wal-Mart. I’m goingto see if my store has it.
I wish I could shop early for the kids but I swear the things they ‘want’ change by the month. But I do most of their shopping online so that usually helps save me some money.
I will be attending the one at my local store and I am super excited! I start really early on my shopping. I buy one gift each every month!
Keeping an inventory is a great idea that I’m going to put into practice! I tend to buy things early and forget. Smart to keep records to look over!
Thanks for the tips! I’ve got to start keeping an inventory since I always worry about forgetting something. 🙂
Shopping alone is a biggie for me. We have five children and it’s so hard to get away alone, but it’s the only time I can think!
Great tips! I especially love the idea of keeping an inventory. I have so done this where I buy early and then lose it in the closet and forget all about it.
such great tips! thanks for sharing
Great tips! Happy Holidays!
I love your tips my favorite is to keep an inventory. I am a list maker and this helps me out a lot. I write things down as I buy them so I know what I have gotten and for who.
I am all for checking those clearance racks! AND I also love shopping at place like Once Upon a Child. They too do Black Friday Sales! Talk about cheap toys! They might be used, but who cares?!
I really need to be better about making a To Buy list because I end up just shopping aimlessly, and with too much or too little sometimes.
I am going to do a lot of online shopping this year!
Thank you for the great tips!