It’s that time of year when everyone starts gearing up for Christmas shopping.  Many of us avid frugal shoppers shop for Christmas and other special occasions all year long, but for the average shopper the day after Halloween usually starts engines running and wheels turning on shopping for gifts for loved ones.  Here are my Heather’s Hintsfor keeping your frugal holiday shopping game on point.

Before Leaving the House

1. Have a Budget: Anytime, and I mean ANYTIME, you get ready to walk out the door to go shopping for anything, even if it’s gas for your car, you should have a budget.  A budget is even more critical during the holiday season because many of us just get wrapped up in the giving.   If you only have $300 to spend on gifts this year, don’t charge or spend more than $300.
2. Have a List: Have a list of the people you intend to buy gifts for and a few ideas for gifts to get them.  If you know little Johnny wants a Red Ryder BB Gun, you’re OK with him shooting his eye out, and you have the $25 to buy it in your budget, then you are set.
3. List to Budget: Now that you have a budget and a list of gifts and possible gift ideas for each person, budget an amount for each person on that list.
4. Know Pricing: If you know you have to get Johnny that BB Gun and you saw it priced on Amazon for $24.99 and Target happens to have it on Black Friday for $19.99 then you know you are getting a good deal.  All of us avid frugal shoppers know that just because a store says its on sale for a “WOW” price, doesn’t mean that it is a good deal; it is up to you to know your own pricing for items you intend to buy. You can even get the Amazon Price Checker App on your smart phone (get it here for your iPhone or here for your Android  so that when you are out shopping you can scan the bar code of the item and it will tell you if Amazon has it for a better price.

While Out Shopping

• Keep it with You: Keep your list and your budget handy and with you at all times.  If you have it with you and handy to reference while shopping you will spend less – trust me, it works every time.
• Resistance: Marketing is a powerful thing, it gets jingles stuck in your head (♫ Five Dollar, Five Dollar Foot Longs… any, any, FIVE ♫), it makes us buy that cherry chapstick and beef jerky at the register, and it causes us to spend more money than we need to.  If you have a game plan for your shopping you will not be pulled in by holiday sales and store marketing.

Shop Local

Now that you have a strategy to shop, head out and enjoy your shopping and all of the holiday activities. One of my favorites here in the Valley are all of the holiday markets. I like them because most of them promote local businesses which is good for our local economy and many also give back to our community as well.  Another reason to love local holiday or vendor markets are the one of kind gifts at reasonable prices.

Upcoming Markets

Here are some events to keep your eye on coming up in the next several weeks:

Randolph School’s Under the Christmas Tree

Dates and Times:
Friday, November 2nd: 8-10am (early bird shopping); 10am-7pm (public shopping hours)
Saturday, November 3rd: 10am – 7pm
Sunday, November 4th: 12 – 5pm
Location: Von Braun Center South Hall
Cost: $5 Daily Admission; $3 Seniors; $15 Weekend Pass/Early Bird; Children and Students Free
Details: Featuring more than 75 unique merchants, special events include a cooking presentation with artisan cheese maker Tasia Malakasis, owner of Belle Chevre goat cheese creamery who will share recipes from her debut cookbook, Tasia’s Table, a Gingerbread house decorating event for children, Breakfast with Santa, photos with Santa, entertainment and more!

Southern Tradition – A Holiday Market

Date: Saturday, November 3rd
Time: 9am – 3pm
Location: Madison Academy
Details:  Offering unique, distressed and refurbished furniture, hand-crafted home décor, jewelry pieces, and Christmas items for sale. There will a silent auction featuring pottery, photography, autographed college memorabilia, art, furs, jewelry, tools and much more.

Artist Market

Dates: Every Saturday
Time: 12-4pm
Location: Lowe Mill
Details:  Local artists and others are invited to set up a booth at the Flying Monkey Arts Center and sell their wares to the public. There will be art, jewelry, vintage clothing, records, and more interesting things for sale inside our facility – safe from rain.

AOD Christmas Market

Date: Friday, November 9th
Time: 6 – 9pm
Location: Monrovia Community Center
Details:  Join the Alliance for Opportunity and Development (AOD) at the Monrovia Community Center for some Christmas cheer and shopping to raise scholarship funds for local low-income families. There will be arts, crafts, food, chocolate, gifts, jewelry, cosmetics, and more at the AOD Christmas Market.

Fayetteville’s 20th Anniversary, Host of Christmas Past

Dates and Times:
Saturday, November 10th from 9am – 9pm
Sunday, November 11th from 1:00 p.m. – 5 pm (limited activities)
Location: Downtown Fayetteville, TN 37334
Details:  Each year, on the second weekend in November, Downtown Fayetteville becomes the setting for a magical holiday experience. With an array of food, exhibits, shops, candlelight and Christmas spirit, the entire community rolls out the “welcome mat.”

Delta Zeta Marketplace

Dates and Times:
Friday, November 16th from 9am – 6pm
Saturday, November 17th from 9am-6pm
Sunday, November 18th from 12-5pm
Location: Von Braun Center South Hall
Cost: $2.00; Children 12 and under free
Details: Sponsored and organized by a group of Delta Zeta alumnae who live in the Huntsville area, the show has grown into a large specialty marketplace offering a wide variety of merchandise.

NEACA Annual Christmas Craft Show

Dates and Times:
Friday, December 7th from 9am – 7pm
Saturday, December 8th from 9am – 7pm
Sunday, December 9th from 12 – 5pm
Location: Von Braun Center South Hall
Details: Approximately 200 craftsmen and artists from throughout Alabama and other states will have a selection of unique items including unusual pottery, toys, one-of-a-kind jewelry, room décor, kitchen accessories, etc.

Header photo credit: dave416