3 Very Important Christmas Shopping Lessons I Have Learned and Hope To Remember Next Year

I am revealing some of my crazy shopping habits here..don't judge. I admit I am somewhat addicted to "getting a good deal.":)

#1.  Do not buy things off of Amazon until the last possible date to buy to get in time for Christmas.  Lincoln has mentioned several times that he wants the Trios castle for Christmas, so much that I know he would be crushed if he didn't get it.  I even tried talking him out of it because I couldn't find it on sale, but he will look at the other choices and say, "I want that, but... I want the Trios castle the most."  Since Black Friday I have been pretty consistent about checking sales ads, ebay, and amazon for the lowest price.  Finally cracked down and bought it Thursday off of Amazon, and wouldn't you know, two days later it goes on sale at Toys R Us $20 cheaper!  I was not sure the seller I bought from from Amazon would allow returns, and by the time I found out that they would, the castle was sold out.  I can still buy it online, but then I can't use the %20 off coupon because you have to use it in the store, so the price would be about the same after shipping.  Took me awhile to get over stewing about this one.

#2.  Do not return things planning to purchase them again because you receive a $10off coupon afterwards. I did this and when I went back to buy them they were no longer on sale so would end up paying more.

#3. Make sure to pay attention to the time when you are looking online for 8 more dollars to spend to total $50 and get the$15 Kohls cash.  I spent so much time looking for something else to buy that I lost track of time and didn't buy anything until after midnight.  They were only doing the $15 cash on Cyber Monday, not Tuesday so I did not get the cash.  Took me a couple days to get over this one!!!

It seems like every year I decide things like this are just not worth it but I find myself doing them again next year. I am not sure saving 10, 20 dollars is worth it.  Maybe if I read this next year I won't do some of these same things again?  Doubt it... I am too much of a bargain shopper!

Hope this gives you a laugh and eases any Christmas prep "stress" you may be feeling.  Don't sweat the small stuff, and be thankful for the real reason for the season.  Thank you God for sending us your Son so that we may spend eternity with you.