Sensible planning makes for smart holiday shopping


The holiday season is among the


most stressful times of year. With long lists of things to do, meals to prepare, family and friends to entertain, and gifts to buy, many people embark on the holi- day season with more fear than cheer. And with so many people trying to spend less these days, preparing for the holi- days has become that much more chal- lenging. But by planning in advance and establishing a holiday shopping game plan, men and women can save money and maintain their peace of mind. Start at the bottom line. The best way to avoid overspending during the holidays is to establish a budget -- and then stick to it. Before making any holiday purchases, determine a holiday spending limit that is acceptable to you and your spouse or partner. The figure


(Toys, Continued from page 3)


Teddy Ruxpin doll under their tree. Teddy Ruxpin was an animatronic bear who interacted with the child and told stories. It was based on the animated figures kids would see at theme parks or at their local play areas. Shortages around the holidays played into frenzied behavior. The doll was expensive for its day, coming in at around $68. * Tickle Me Elmo (1996): “Sesa- me Street” fans fell right into the hype offered by Tyco Toys and Children’s Television Workshop. Stampedes oc- curred in toy stores, people were in- jured and reports


of extreme price


gouging ensued, all in an effort for people to get their hands on the gig- gling, red furball. * Furby (1998): This creature of


reminiscent the popular 1980s


film “Gremlins” came out of the box speaking its own language and slowly learned English over time. The animat- ed pet/friend became the must-have toy of the year, but production numbers


8


should include not only the cost of gifts, but expected expenditures for holiday entertainment and entertaining, decora- tions, travel, and items such as clothing and home improvements.


Know as you go. Know what portion of a holiday budget is for gifts and keep a running total of expenditures as you shop. This way, you will have a sense of where you stand at any given point in the shopping season and can adjust accord- ingly.


Be an informed shopper. There are


deals galore in the run-up to the holi- days and it pays to compare prices and offers


before making any purchases. Check newspaper and online ads as well as retailers’ Web sites to determine both where and when you can get the best deal.


were scant in comparison to demand. * Nintendo Wii (2006): Video


game aficionados were wowed by the motion-sensing game controllers of this new system. This helped push the Wii to the top spot for video game consoles for that year and created a demand that led to limits on units purchased, dimin- ished inventory, and even vouchers or wrist bands being offered by stores to get your hands on the Wii.


(Green, Continued from page 5) * For those who want a real Christmas tree this year, buy one with the root ball intact. Then plant the pine tree in the yard after the holidays are over.


* Choose locally grown or organic food for holiday feasts. These foods might be more fresh, and you will know they were raised in a way that doesn’t compromise the environment. * Limit gifts that require batteries. Batteries routinely end up in landfills


Make a list and check it twice. Plan your purchases ahead of time to avoid impulse buying. By having a gift in mind for each person on your list, you will save time, money and headaches. Consider family gifts. If there are a number of families on your gift list, con- sider giving a single gift -- or gift basket -- that everyone can enjoy. A waffle iron or ice cream maker, for example, is a gift that foodie families will savor for years to come.


Give the gift of your time. Some of the most cherished gifts have no price tag attached. Homemade gift certificates for things like car washing, dishwashing, babysitting, lawn mowing, and closet cleaning are always wonderful and wel- come. As the giver, just make sure to make good on your promise.


and damage the environment when they are carelessly discarded. Select toys and gadgets that use rechargeable batteries or ones that can be easily recycled later on. * Reduce reliance on disposable entertaining items. Skip the plastic cups and paper napkins. While it may take a little extra effort to clean up, using chi- na dishes and stainless flatware reduces waste that ends up in the garbage. Plus, all of those plastic and paper products that will end up in the trash require en- ergy and resources to make.


This holiday season, when the spirit


of giving reigns supreme, don’t forget to give back to the planet as well.


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