Aloha Friday

The question was asked today: Are you going shopping? And for me, the answer is no...no way!! Even if we weren't moving across the sea in a few weeks, and can't possibly fit another item in our suitcase, I still wouldn't be shopping. Me, crowds and stores just don't mix well, kind of like water and oil. Just don't mix, unless you shake and shake, and then shortly after they go their separate ways. Desperate measures only lead me to shopping.

But speaking of shopping I have been thinking more and more about what to do to provide a memorable Christmas with out breaking the bank, or possibly even standing in lines.

I am not a planner, in any way shape or form, nor am I really organized at all! But a rule of thumb when it comes to shopping for Christmas, I came up with this, from some ideas from a friend.

To make gift shopping equitable and fair, I try to shop in four categories for the kids and spouse. I call it the 4 W's:

Something to WEAR: Everyone needs a new outfit to put on Christmas morning, after eating all the candy in the stocking and hanging out in jammies most of the morning, and well into the afternoon sometimes.

Something they WANT: Everyone deserves a little something they really want. With little kids and the influences of commercials there are many things they want...and well narrowing it down to the one thing can make a difficult task.

Something they WONDER about: This is the special gift that santa gives. The one that keeps them up at night wondering what will be under the tree staring back at them in the morning. (a little like the want, but can be a fun big surprise or a little surprise or just something you found in the clearance section.

Something to WREAD: Ok doesn't really start with a "W" but every one needs something to read or at least a cool book to look at or even better a personalized yearbook, I make mine at www.storybooker.com and each year I try to put together a book for the kids of all the things they did in the last year, as well as a book to read.

So there you have it. A list of categories to help you narrow down your shopping. Maybe helping you budget a little bit more and spread the wealth among many things.

We do buy some little things and items to go in their stockings. I try to buy these things through out the year, like standing in line at the grocery store, or the one spot at Target, cuz a little here and there ends up adding up but you don't notice that extra few dollars on your grocery bill.