Holiday Season 2009

Holiday Season 2009 will probably be very different than in years past. Our budgets are considerably smaller, the number of friends, relatives and co-workers will probably be shorter. For this reason, we must be creative. One of the best ways to stay within our budgets and still give gifts that will wow our friends and family is to START EARLY. Ask the following questions about each person on your list:
1. Does ___ have a hobby?
2. How old is _______? More importantly, how old do they act?
3. Is ________ a trend-setter or more of a conservative?
4. What size is __?
5. Does _____ have any food or plant allergies? Would _____ like a gift of food or a plant?
6. How much do I want to spend on ______?
7. Does _______ travel for leisure and/or business regularly?
8. Does _______ dine out on a regular basis? Do they have a favorite dining location?
These 8 questions will give you some ideas. If you have several folks on your list with similar interests, think about buying in bulk. There are often discounts for purchasing multiple items. We all have the best of intentions when it comes to starting early and shopping on sale, but sometimes it's just impossible. If this is the case, consider hiring a personal shopper. The cost of a personal shopper can be paid for with the saving they squire for you with their gift choices.