Just because Christmas is past doesn't mean gift shopping is over. You might already be shopping ahead for next Christmas or upcoming birthdays or anniversaries.
This year, I did less shopping. I actually made gift baskets for family members that included chai tea, hot chocolate, vanilla latte, and home made muffins of several varieties. I included enough of each for the whole family to have a snack and hot beverage when they got ready for it. I used powdered mix recipes I found online. I did give cash to my teen grandchildren and small gifts to my under-5 grandchildren, but other than that, no purchased gifts.
In this economy, I just couldn't afford to spend a lot of money. Gasoline prices have risen sharply as well as energy costs.
However, I do understand that many folks are still shopping for things like personalized footballs, bath and beauty kits, or electronics, all of which seem to be on sale right now. So, it's really a prime time to shop for next year, isn't it?
