How to Shop with Kids

We all know that shopping by yourself is the ideal thing to do, but during the Holidays sometimes its unavoidable. I mean truly who wants to have the diaper bag in tow, along with your purse on the same shoulder wearing your poor shoulder out. Not only that, how about that heavy carrier that they call lightweight, that you must carry around (unless you were smart and invested in a travel system) and try to push a buggy at the same time. Or what about the preschool aged children who you must bring along on the trip that sees all the toys for his brothers/sisters and for himself. Isn't this just the craziest??? There's got to be a better way. Well hopefully here are a few suggestions to help you get through it.

1. Research your items first. Find the best deals in town and try to go to no more than 2 stores top if you have to get in and out of a car. It makes more since to knock out as many stores as you can instead of going several times a week. That's why strip malls are so great.
   
2. Make a list and stick with it. That way you wont be tempted to splurge on items that wasn't in the budget and then you wont be adding more time to the shopping trip. Remembers kids get impatient fast.
3. Feed your kids before you hit the store. I have always fed my kids in the car, right in the parking lot. It helps to keeps the infants nice and full and sometimes this makes them sleepy. As for the preschoolers a light snack and liquids will do the trick. This makes everyone less irritable.
   
4. Pack light. Let your diaper bag double as a purse. Bring 1 or 2 small toys to keep infants or toddlers busy and put your wallet, etc deep in the zipper of the diaper bag.
   
5. Keep it simple. Dress in layers and don't over accessorize. Less is best. A lightweight coat with few accessories should do the trick like a scarf for instance. There is nothing worst then walking around in a humongous coat burning up, getting all sweaty with a hot and stuffy baby at your side.
   
6. Try to avoid buying toys with kids. Its better to buy without them and its a very wise choice to buy toys online. The shipping costs may be a bit depending on the weight of heavier items but it beats the hollering, crying and hissy fits that you would have originally had to put up with. Plus you don't have to worry about picking up all those boxes and trying to fit them in a cart with your kids. Trust me on this one.

Well I hope these suggestions help you this Holiday Season. Happy Shopping!!!

Is it okay to Re-Gift?

Re-Gift!! Believe it or not there are a lot of folks out there who thinks that this is the TACKIEST idea yet. But oh no, I beg to differ! This idea is no more than mere recycling at its best. Think about this. Oh how you love your Auntie Gracie but hate Auntie Gracie’s taste in Home Décor. Gracie knows your favorite colors, remembers your Birthday and knows you love her homemade Chocolate Chip cookies. So here you are Christmas Day. Sitting by the fireplace, drinking eggnog and your exchanging gifts. Her gift wrapping is to die for as usual. Of course she took her time, chose your favorite colors Green and Gold in metallic gift wrapping with beautiful bows to match.

Wow you’re up next. You’re looking excited with that cheesy smile on your face but what’s really going through your head is, “Oh boy, there is no telling what this is.” And now the moment of truth. “Oh cool” you say. With a very shocked look on your face, your cousin almost spits out his eggnog to prevent from laughing cuz the look on your face says it all. You say again, Cool. You know it’s a lie!! My, oh my. It’s a Blue and Red Cookie Jar with white checks all over it. It’s shaped like a Rooster, a freakin Rooster for Pete’s sake. Oh and it plays music when you open the top.

And this, mind you is the Cookie Jar that is to double as an accessory to your Custom Granite Countertops, which compliments your Double Deep Stainless Steel Sink and Appliances that ever so accentuates your Maple Oak Cabinetry which highlights the beautiful Custom Glass Tile Backsplash along with the exquisite Tanzanite flooring set on a diagonal. THIS IS YOUR MODERN KITCHEN!! THIS IS YOUR KITCHEN!!! Oh it’s not going down. And no you’re not being selfish. Now isn’t it obvious that Auntie didn’t really take your style into consideration?

Understand that most people don’t know how to shop for others. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to buy gifts or a lot of time but just be in tune with the individual taste and style. Now if all else fails buy Gift Cards that’s right I said it. Now think about this Auntie Gracie’s style is Country, right? Very Country. And come to think of it so is your neighbor Doug!! So the next time Gracie comes around looking for that Singing Rooster she calls a cookie jar just say, well actually you may need to search another blog for that answer.

Sample Two (Kathy Van Zeeland Handbags)

All Under $100.00

Sample One (Black Dressy Boots)

ALL UNDER $150. 00!!!

LET ME SHOP FOR YOU!!! NO MORE LONG LINES!!!

• Are you Frustrated By Gift Giving?
• Don't Have Time to Shop?
• Hate Waiting in Long Lines?
• Overwhelmed with Shopping on Line?
• Wouldn't You Rather Spend that Time Doing Other Things?
  

Well I’m here to DO THE WORK FOR YOU!!! Let me search and find the items that you need. Here’s how it works:

Let’s say you’re dying to find those nice, black dressy boots but you don’t want to pay over $150.00. You set the budget and I find the item. I email you the items, you pick and choose, and I’ll ship it you. NO MORE HASSLES!!!

DON’T HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHAT TO GET SOMEONE? No problem. Just tell me who it’s for and I’ll take it from there!! It’s that SIMPLE!!!

I’ll shop for mom, dad, grandparents, spouses, friends, children, teenagers, co-workers, bosses, etc.

Rates: $20 per person. (3 gift max). Rates vary for additional gifts. You pay shipping & handling. Contact me for discounted rates FOR 5 OR MORE PERSONS!!

PAYMENT METHOD: credit/debit cards, bank cards, or paypal accounts.

Contact me: tamalam12@yahoo.com for more information.