With only eleven days left, it’s time to take stock, or should I say take inventory?
Don’t forget about school… Have you picked up the snacks for the class party? The grab bag gift? Something for the teacher?
Take stock of gifts you have purchased, and those you still need to get. Make sure you have plenty of supplies for wrapping or decorating packages.
If you’re like me, you may be juggling ways to make each pile of presents look reasonably alike. We try to spend roughly the same amount on our kids and try to make sure each one has the same number of presents. We do the same with other people’s kids. The only problem is that sometimes, even with the same amount and same cost, one pile looks huge and the others just don’t measure up.
Some gifts, like video games, CDs, or hand-held electronics, come in tiny packages. Even though they may cost more than other items, they don’t make much impact when stacked up. Next to a big toy (that probably cost less), they may not look like much.
This can lead to a seemingly never-ending crusade to even things out, which can result in spending a lot more money (and time) as you pick up “just one more thing” to add to this or that pile. There is no need to go into debt evening out stacks of gifts. Instead, look over the gifts you have and find one or more that can be placed into a larger package. A toy that comes in it’s own small box can be packed into a larger box. Two small items can be placed into a large box to give them more bulk.
*Re-use boxes you have or ask for leftover boxes at your favorite store. Reusing boxes is preferred to buying new ones, which increases demand. For extra large boxes, decorate them with a little water-based craft paint instead of using wrapping paper.
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