Emily

Stress-less Christmas: Have a Plan to Avoid Panic Shopping

Every year, I have a goal to have the majority of my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving. Or at least to have a plan for my shopping before Thanksgiving. There are certain things that I know I’ll hold off on until I’ve checked Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, but I always feel better if I have a plan. But somehow, ever December, I suffer from “We might not have enough-itis” and throw random budget breakers in my cart in fear of forgetting something. The things that usually get me? Stocking stuffers and last minute gifts for friends and neighbors.

So this year, I’m planning for the stockings. Errr, helping St. Nick plan, shall we say. For gifts for our immediate family (the kids and each other), B and I stick to three categories: Something you want, something you need, and something to read. Santa brings each kid one toy or gift they’ve asked for, as well. For our extended families and the friends that we exchange gifts with, I keep a basic spreadsheet to make sure I’ve thought of everyone and fill it out as I shop. So, this year, for the stockings, I’m thinking in terms of categories. Santa always fills the stockings with the kids’ socks, underwear, and a new tooth brush and toothpaste. B’s stocking always gets some Keurig pods. But it’s the little fun stuff that I struggle with. This year, I put together some suggestions – for myself and for everyone else – so that I am just as prepared with the small stuff as I usually am with the big stuff, allowing me to enjoy the wrapping, baking, decorating and Christmas Carols during the month of December and worry less about the shopping and crowds.

Keurig Coffee. NFL Tape Dispenser. Melissa and Doug Card Games. Foam Airplanes. Pencil Sharpeners. Colored Pencils. Triangle Crayons.

Something fun: A card game or small toy.

Something useful: Chapstick, pencil sharpeners, post-its (pretty sure this Broncos tape dispenser is going to be popular with a particular football fan I know).

Something artsy: New markers, colored pencils or crayons (the triangle crayons in the picture above are the only crayons I keep in my diaper bag – they are awesome at restaurants and on airplanes because they don’t roll off of surfaces). Coloring books and stickers, too!

As a one-stop “Holiday Workshop”, Office Depot and OfficeMax offer everything wit the lowest prices ever on the Black Friday deals – from high performing tech products to gift cards – so that shoppers can find the right gifts for everyone on their lists. And for all of those trying to come up with the perfect grandparent gifts, Home Depot and OfficeMax offer copy and print services to create one-of-a-kind gifts like calendars and personalized smart phone cases. And, you can ship everything without having to wait in line at the post office with in-store mailing and shipping services.

Office Depot and OfficeMax kick off Black Friday sales at 6pm on Thanksgiving day (and 12:01 am online on Thanksgiving morning). Plus, they’re offering online store pickup and free shipping on $50 purchases Thanksgiving day through Cyber Monday. With web-only specials all week long and early access to Black Friday sales, you could possibly have all your shopping done before you even turn the calendar to December!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Office Depot and OfficeMax. The opinions and text are all mine.

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