Here are seven quick tips to save time and your sanity this busy season:
 
* Find a free corner in your home where you can set up a gift wrapping center.  Wrapping  a few gifts every week is less overwhelming than trying to wrap everything at once.
 
* Simplify gift-giving.  Who doesn't love receiving a gift card and imagining everything you can buy with it?  When you find a perfect gift think of everyone you know who would also love it and buy in quantity.
 
* Shop Online and through catalogs as much as possible to avoid gasoline costs and long lines.
 
* Double your recipes when making soups and casseroles.  Freeze the extra for busy holiday evenings.
 
* Make a gift list.  Include name of person, budget for that person, and ideas for him or her.  On the back side of the paper, list the name, what you've bought for him/her so far, and how much you have spent.
 
* Plan family time.  It's easy to overcommit ourselves during the holidays.  Plan some special evenings alone with your family.  Mark them on your calendar and make them a priority.
 
* Get started.  Don't wait until the week before Christmas to begin your shopping.  Stop procrastinating and just do it

 
Take a moment now to share the gift of time!  Forward this e-newsletter to friends, family and coworkers.

 

When I'm hanging out with friends and family, I've trained myself to listen if they mention something they want or need.  When they're not looking, I write it down on a piece of paper.  Or if I'm flipping through a magazine or surfing the web, I'll print or cut out that gift idea so I can remember it later. 

I put all of the ideas into a manila folder called "Gift Ideas."  In November, I start looking through the folder and have great gift ideas right in front of me.  I write down the ideas all year long so that I have lots of options when it's Christmastime.  (It works great for birthdays, too!)
  
Kerri Smith
www.NittanyWeddings.com