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      Everything in Moderation:
      A Year-Round Guide to Christmas Gift Giving
      By Dr. Patricia J. Louison
              The Strategist eNewsletter
              Published by KSG Strategic Consulting
              January 2006

Most of us have recovered from Christmas gift-buying angst, and have already forgotten about
the ubiquitous Internet and television ads urgently reminding us of how we waited until the last
minute to buy presents. What would happen if we decided to make our New Year’s resolution to
start shopping earlier this year? Join me and the legions of Americans who start their Christmas
shopping on December 26th annually.

In the beginning, I thought it was a crazy idea. How can you start shopping so early when you’re
still recovering from the trauma of the 2005 shopping season? Since the whole purpose of
giving Christmas gifts is to add joy to the world of your loved ones, it is conceivable that you can
do this soon after you have spent the holiday with them. Here are five tips to help get you avoid
the Christmas shopping rush in 2006:

Pick a theme. This year, everyone on my list is getting something they can regularly use.
Some will receive a subscription to a magazine that I know they like, but haven’t taken the time
to subscribe to yet. While it may not have the splash of the new iPod Nano, your gift recipients
will think of you every time they sit down to read their new favorite magazine.

Focus on one to two people per month. It can be overwhelming to shop for everyone on
your list at the same time. So, choose one to two people you’ll shop for during a particular
month. As you see and speak to them, be observant and make note of their interests and
things they say they’d love to have.

Keep a running list of gift ideas. Every time a friend or family member mentions something
that is on his general wish list, record it and give him a surprise he truly wanted. With websites
like Amazon.com, the guesswork is taken out of gift-giving if you ask your loved ones to create a
wish list. Avoid giving people what you think they want because you are looking for last-minute
gifts in a hurried frenzy.

Use your new philosophy to save money. These new shopping tactics help you benefit
from year-round sales, and your wallet will love you for it. Instead of condensing your shopping
and the amount you’ll spend during the Christmas season, spend as you go before December,
and I guarantee you will spend less when your focus is on spreading love and not beating the
deadline.

Enjoy every minute of the savings. Don’t forget one obvious benefit of starting your 2006
Christmas shopping in January: you can take advantage of the after Christmas sales and benefit
from deep discounts, and stock away gifts early and save yourself some time as a bonus.

So what do you think? Is now the time to turn over a new leaf and become a well-rested Santa
from all of the sleep you will save throughout the year? Bring the love back to Christmas gift-
giving.

Do you have shopping strategies that help you year-round? Email them to editor@ksgsc.com.

Dr. Patricia J. Louison is an educator and founder and lead consultant of the
Beanstalk Consulting Group in Philadelphia, PA. Visit her online at www.
beanstalkgroup.org. She is the January 2006 guest columnist for The Strategist.

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