Starting Your Holiday Shopping?

I have very few people I give holiday gifts to, so I guess I have it easy in that regard.  I mostly do handmade gifts, too, so I don't have a lot of shopping to do, although I do have to shop for some of the supplies I need.  I'm pretty excited about a couple of the gifts I've decided on giving this year, but I'm not gonna say what they are here because the recipients of those gifts sometimes read my blog.  In the past few years, I've given things like a handmade weighted blanket, a journal with inspirational quotes on every page, and coupons redeemable for things like pet sitting and mending clothing.

I think a lot about what I want to give those people that I plan to give holiday gifts to and usually decide on a gift well before the holiday season.  One of my gifts for this year has been completed for a while now and two others are nearly done.

I absolutely hate shopping when stores are crowded so I do my best to stay out of stores after Thanksgiving.  I mean, I go grocery shopping (generally on week days when the grocery store is less crowded), but I stay out of big box stores and craft stores and places like that.  I plan ahead and try to buy anything I'll need prior to that time period, or I might order stuff online, but I avoid the stores if at all possible.

For my readers that are interested in avoiding the crowds and getting good deals, please check out my Etsy store.  If you shop on Thanksgiving or Black Friday (November 27 or 28 of this year), use the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY to get 20% off whatever you order.  If you shop on another day, use the coupon code HAPPYHOLIDAYS through the end of this year to get 10% off whatever you order.

I've got a bunch of new flannel menstrual pads on there, which are really soft and comfy, and they are much better for the environment than disposable pads, and they save a ton of money, too.

Check 'em out.  There are some other good things on there, too, including some aromatherapy bath salts, which I love.