Strategy

Are any of you "shopping thin in 2010" with us?  One of the biggest hurdles to get past is the impulse to buy.  It just seems to sneak up on you when you least expect it.  One tip is to never go into a market or store without a list.  Follow your list as though it is a map to a place you are unfamiliar with.  Just as you will adhere to a map of a new town or end up lost, you must adhere to your list or you will get off course and buy more than you intended.  Another tip is to think ahead.  In the past, we would remember at the last minute that we needed a gift for a birthday or event.  Using a simple block calendar take a few minutes and jot down as many birthdays and events you know you will need a gift for.  Think about the individual and what you might like to make for them.  No ideas?  Take a stroll through the internet for hand-crafted gifts.  Look through all those magazines or craft books I know you have stacked somewhere.  By thinking ahead you won't be at a loss thirty minutes before you need a present.  If all else fails, it only takes 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees to bake pre-made cookie dough.  The key to making this type of gift extra special is in the packaging.  Once they cool completely, wrap them in white gift tissue and place them in a brown or white paper lunch bag that you can decorate with ribbon, buttons, a pretty picture from an old greeting card, etc.  You can get as creative as you want with this idea.  But a little planning goes a long way.  Strategize for success and you will find it!