Checkin’ My List Twice

Christmas time and holiday shopping has to be one of my favorite times of the year. I’d be lying to say that I don’t try to drag out this process as much as possible. Probably unlike many others by dragging it out, I actually mean starting earlier and not waiting until the last moment

Because Rob and I are always on the hunt for deals and steals, we typically take part in the Black Friday madness. In order to be a part of this frenzy, you need to have your lists made prior to Thanksgiving. I would say I started my lists end of October or early November. 

Before I go more into detail there is a confession that I have to make. In earlier posts I shared that I am definitely checked under the Type A personality category. I must admit that part of that means that I am obsessed with making lists. I absolutely love it! I love to make lists and even make the dorky little check boxes next to each item. And I totally get excited when I can cross something off my list!

Okay well now that you all know how crazy I truly am, you won’t be surprised on how I organize my lists. I usually start by making Rob and my wish lists for Christmas. There is a Becca column and a Rob column, and then I mark these items based on whether or not we are going to tell my family or his family.

Then I make the family shopping lists. Each member of our families’ name is listed next to the budget that we have allotted for them. Below each name is a list of a couple shopping ideas. Getting ideas is the hardest part, because usually when I am asking what someone wants for Christmas in early November they tell me I’m crazy, but once I get the ideas I am ready for phase two…. shopping for all the crazy deals!

Even when in Sweden and completely separated from the craziness that is Black Friday, Rob and I participated in the online specials that took place starting the week of Thanksgiving. As suspected the best deals are around Thanksgiving: the 24^th, 25^th and 26^th. I swear we spent at least two days in bed glued to our computers searching for the items on our lists and when and where we could find the best deal using Slick Deals as a reference.

Rob even stayed in contact with his mom as she braved out into Black Friday with his sister and brother in law. Items we couldn’t find online, we had them pick up in stores.

This all may seem a tad nuts but by November 26^th, Rob and I had completed our Christmas shopping. All that awaits us that is yet to be done is to wrap and have others unwrap! Until then, I wear my Christmas pajamas, listen to the greatest holiday CD made, NSYNC of course, and drink my hot chocolate, all without the stress of still having to shop!