It seems each year more and more people are stresses when it comes to Christmas shopping. At a time of year when you should be full of joy and smiles with decorations and the sounds of the season we find people freaking out over what to buy….isn’t this sad?

Making a list of all the people you have to shop for will help. You should compile this list while you’re sitting waiting for the trick or treaters to ring your bell. Once you have the list it will be easier to focus.

I typically choose a theme for each year. It makes shopping easy and my recipients LOVE it. The best part of having a THEME is you don’t have to shop in 100 different stores….and you can wait out the sale on that particular theme.  Here are some great examples of themes I’ve done through the years….each one was fun, easy and you can stay in budget.

MOVIE NIGHT.(perfect for every age).  I bought containers at the Dollar Store. The bigger the family, the bigger the container. You can use a laundry basket, a bucket, a big salad bowl…something that can be used …not a box to be thrown away. Fill the container with movies that will suit that family….you can get some great deals on older videos if you look around or buy on-line. Add boxed candy (big boxes from the dollar store similar to the boxes at the movie theatre) also add microwave popcorn. Keep in mind you can buy a huge case of popcorn at one of the warehouse stores and give each person a few packets.  That one carton will go a long way. I add juice boxes and a few cans of soda or beer.

PAJAMAS. Watch for a store to have sleep-ware sale and you can clean up on this one. This was one of the best themes ever. Everyone got sleep-ware from sexy to comfy to footie pj’s. Add little extras to each gift box like a pair of slipper socks or a CD of the sounds of sleep (like rain forest or calming music) also try those masks to make the room dark or a good paperback book or a little teddy bear or book of bedtime stories / lullabies for the little people. Sleep pants for the guys have become SO popular and they are always on sale at one store or another.

FAVORITE FOODS. This was another one that got rave reviews. Again you can use containers from the Dollar Store like a big colander or sink basin or salad bowl….cheap and reusable.  I wrap them with cellophane and big ribbon. (rolls of cellophane can typically be found at the Dollar stores too.  Pick a theme for each family or person. Mexican Fiesta contains a box of Taco Shells, Can of re-fried beans, jar of salsa, jar of Mexican cheese, can of black olives, nachos…so many choices. Depending on your budget you can add a bottle of Margarita mix or Tequila. Italian Feast contains a box of spaghetti or pasta, a jar of sauce, container of grated cheese, Italian Salad dressing, bottle of red wine, add a loaf of Italian bread at the last minute. For someone who loves to Bake make a Bakers Basket. For someone who loves to bartender well…that’s an easy one. If you have someone who loves different teas and coffees, you can have a ball. Kids love baskets filled with little boxes of cereals (you know the ones MOM will never let you by) and Pop Tarts and Juice Boxes.  You can add themed napkins (I buy these all year as I find them on clearance) and you can add a gift card for the grocery store to buy the meat. You can really use your imagination on this theme…and most of the shopping is done right in your grocery store.  I buy a little each time I shop and I don’t ever feel the crunch in my wallet.

MONOGRAMMED THEME. Usually I will buy plain items that I find on clearance. Sweat shirts, bibs, blankets, tote bags, golf shirts, aprons etc.  Then I find someone on Craig’s list (they are cheaper) and I get things monogrammed for each person.  Use imagination. It does not have to just be their first name. For example I got a chefs hat monogrammed for my Boss (he’s always grilling) it said Iron Chef Jeff….or on the sleeve of a golf shirt have it say Mike, Tigers Worst Nightmare…..A little pink sweatshirt can say Princess Lily…you can have a blast.

VACATION THEME. This is one theme that you have to think of a year ahead because you want to take advantage of end of year sales.  If you are doing a vacation theme you can really get great deals at the end of summer when everything goes on clearance racks. For a beach themed person you can fill a beach bag with rolled up beach towels, suntan lotion, sand toys, sunglasses, visors, photo brag book,  disposable underwater camera. You need to think of the type of vacations that your family and friends take and make a Christmas gift that pertains to that theme.

HOMEMADE GIFTS. A wonderful idea.  Baskets filled with homemade breads and cakes (you can bake ahead of time and freeze) Homemade cookies, candles, flavored oils, canned veggies, jams. There are tons of great ideas…check out the Food Network for ideas.  People LOVE homemade gifts.

Another money saving idea is never buy gift tags. I use the Christmas cards from the year before. I put them out using the prettiest part of the card. I have more space to write the names or the message and they are so much prettier than those little self stick tags that are not much larger than a postage stamp.

Christmas does not have to cost you a lot of money or time..make it fun and make it from the heart.

Season’s Greetings.