Secrets of a Holiday Shopping Diva: The List Full of Great Christmas Gift Ideas

The list is the most important tool in your armory. Why do you think Santa checks his twice?

One of the most important things a successful shopper needs is a list. In my virgin expedition I had what I now term a target item: the bike for my toddler, but I didn't really have a list. This is a huge mistake. Upon finding myself at the store I found about 10 varieties of pedal and toddler bikes all displayed beautifully. I had done no research to know which one was best in terms of durability, safety, ease of assembly, price and value or any of the other important criteria.

Thus unprepared I found myself trying to hover over several brands shooing other would-be purchasers away from my menagerie until I could select which one I wanted. Let me assure you this was no easy feat. I might have been better off looking online to see what was available and then, purchasing one from a store that specializes in great baby and toddler ride on toys, like this one: http://www.simplyuniquebabygifts.com/baby-toys.html

Whether shopping online or offline, a real list, not just a collection of target items or gift ideas, needs to be specific right down to brand name and price margin. Getting this targeted by doing important line item research before hand is the only way to enter the holiday-stocked store prepared. Otherwise the likelihood of being drawn off target looking from one type of toddler bike, as in my case, or Barbie or doll house or paint set etc, will increase dramatically.

Such detailed preparation will minimize buyer's remorse. Being able to confidently identify your child's exact wish (as well as yours) also enables you to get in and get out quickly. This means you really will be saving time and money. Otherwise you find yourself wandering aimless amid a sea of pushing jostling rabid shoppers. Your experience is not likely to end well.

Don't limit your list to one item. If you are going to battle the crowds, as we all must at some point in the holiday season, try to get as much done at one time as you can. Assemble a detailed list for each person for whom you need a gift. Then you can organize your shopping sprees for maximum impact. For example: during my ill-fated pedal bike excursion, I could have also shopped for our baby daughter. It would have cost me very little in the way of extra time and bother to snag a doll, a teddy bear or a baby activity table for her.

I could have also explored the option of buying a gift from "Santa" that would be exciting for both of my kids to receive, such as a Big Red Classic All-Terrain Wagon. Our neighbor has one and my kids have taken a ride in it a time or two and squeals of delight could be heard throughout the neighborhood as they cruised through the park located close by my home. So, that is another great option for one of the "big gifts" that would be found under the tree on Christmas morning.

One common mistake is allowing yourself to be swept into the stream of holiday shoppers without a clear objective in mind. You'd never dream of jumping into a swift stream with a strong current without a clear knowledge of how you were going to emerge safely on the other side. Heading to do your shopping, especially gift shopping, without a clear objective is just as risky a prospect.

A list is your anchor; so don't leave home without it. Aimless shopping is so much less enjoyable than the thrill of accomplishment knowing you got the perfect item for Aunt Harriet and you can now cross her off the list.