The Holiday Shopping Experience - Rewarding or Traumatic?

Picture this scenario! It’s December 24th, the day of Christmas Eve. On this day you should be relaxing, enjoying time with family and thinking of all the precious memories you have created throughout the year.

No, wait! It’s the last day of shopping before Christmas and you haven’t even started to do your gift shopping.

You get into your car and fight traffic all the way to the local mall, only to spend an hour trying to find a parking spot. That is if you find one at all. You enter the mall in search of the perfect gifts and there is a stampede of people. Looks like everyone else is doing last minute shopping too!

You dodge the nudging elbows and stomping feet of the crowds. You’re starting to feel claustrophobic, your stress level is starting to increase and you haven’t even begun shopping yet!

Sound familiar? To top it all off, you browse through the stores only to find that meager offerings remain. The shelves are practically empty. What happens then? You spend too much money on something that your gift recipient neither needs or wants. Their gift wasn’t chosen for them...it was chosen out of desperation.

Once again, you remind yourself that you will prepare far in advance for Christmas next year. The next Holiday Season arrives and you repeat the same traumatic shopping experience.
How many of us have waited until the very last moment to buy a gift for a loved one, friend or business associate? There is only three months left until Christmas and those days will go quickly.

Christmas is one of the most stressful events of the year. The expense of buying gifts and the pressure of last minute shopping can all take the joy out of the most joyful time of year.

Here are some tips to take the stress out of Holiday shopping this year:

1) Make a list of the people you will be buying a gift for before you go shopping. If you have a large family or friends to buy gifts for, it can get expensive. In our family, we have made the decision to buy only for the children. Another way to reduce costs is to have everyone draw a name out of a hat and buy a present only for that person.

2) Think of gift ideas for the people on your list and write them down. What are their hobbies and interests? What are their needs and wants? If you cannot come up with anything, ask the person directly for ideas. This will save you time wandering aimlessly in the mall in search of a gift and you will give a gift that your gift recipient really wants and will appreciate.

3) Buy a few extra gifts, for instance chocolates, so that you will be prepared just in case you forgot somebody or an unexpected guest arrives bearing gifts.

4) If possible, start your Holiday shopping a month or two before Christmas. It is never to early to prepare!

5) Don’t forget about online shopping! Buy your gifts over the internet. You can find most gifts online, shop at your own convenience and you won’t have to step foot in a mall.

If you follow these tips, you are on your way to a rewarding shopping experience and a less stressful Holiday Season.

We all must remember that Christmas is a joyful time of year. It’s not about the gift you give or receive but it is about cherishing the special people in your life and spending time with them. Create new traditions and memories that will be with you for a lifetime.

Copywrite 2004 Written by Lee-Anne Robert, owner of Cuddles ‘n Gifts at http://www.cuddlesngifts.net featuring holiday gift baskets and gifts for any occasion. Check out the new Holiday and Christmas Gift Basket selection. With gifts this beautiful and classy, you will find a gift for anyone on your list!

Back to School is Around the Corner!

Summer is slowly coming to a close and the hussle and bussle of "Back to School" will soon be upon us. It's amazing how quickly the seasons come and go. Our lazy, hazy days of summer are getting shorter as time goes on.

Do you have a loved one who is going back to school soon? Check out our Back to School Care Package on special now for a limited time offer. Don't let them leave home without it!

Or do you know of someone who will be leaving home for the first time to attend school? Show them how much you care by sending them a huggable talking teddy bear. These snuggly bears are recorded with your own voice message for a personalized gift that your gift recipient will adore. There are many teddy bears in which to chose from.

Don't forget to check out the latest gift craze! "The World's Most Emotional Gift"

We have recently added new gift ideas to suit your style, taste and budget and all are made to impress! Our holiday gift baskets and gifts are great for every occasion you celebrate in life!

Enjoy the remainder of the summer sunshine!

The Most Precious Gift To Give Our Children

As a proud mother of a two-year old daughter and an eleven month old son, I already see them growing too quickly before my eyes. It makes me wonder if I am being the best parent that I can be and if I will have regrets after they have grown up of what I did and didn’t do as a parent. And I ask myself, "What is simply the best gift to give my children?"

Could it be the new trend in toys or clothes? Could it be the candy or the chocolate bar that will make them delighted and happy? Is this what children really want or need?

In a rush, rush world and one where both parents must contribute to household expenses, parents are more apt to give their children material objects instead of the single most important gift that all children want, need and crave. It’s no wonder that children are becoming so material orientated at such young ages. It’s no wonder that a child’s most used saying is "I want."

And do we not sometimes treat our children as material objects? Just as a child plays with a toy for a few minutes and then tosses the toy to the side, we as parents often treat our children the same way.

So what is the most precious gift to give our children? The answer lies within the following quote:

"We are always too busy for our children; we never give them the time or interest they deserve. We lavish gifts upon them; but the most precious gift, our personal association, which means so much to them, we give grudgingly." Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

Our "TIME" is the single most important gift to give our children!

Give your child the gift of time and truly learn about your child. Toys, clothes and chocolate bars can be replaced, but your time can never be replaced. Spend time with your child everyday and you will see the pleasure they derive from your quality attention. Children grow up too quickly so enjoy them, get to know them and don’t be a parent who has regrets after your children have grown up.

Stop playing serious and seriously play!

Copyright 2004 ~ Written by Lee-Anne Robert, a proud mother of two and owner of Cuddles 'n Gifts and Gift Baskets From the Heart.

We're not just a baby store anymore!

We all know what it's like. Shopping for the perfect gift in a crowded shopping mall can be exhausting and stressful. Gift-giving should not be stressful but fun and we make gift-giving fun!

Check us out at Cuddles 'n Gifts for many great gift ideas for all the occasions you celebrate in life.

To serve our customers better in their quest for a perfect gift, we have expanded and now feature many wonderful gift baskets for any and all occasions. Let us be your one-stop shopping source for all your gift-giving requirements.

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Surprise and delight your gift recipient with a beautiful gift basket.

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