Need some extra dollars for Christmas shopping?

Sometimes, we may want to earn a little extra money to go towards Christmas expenses.

But for many of us, especially those with young children, or even children at school, it's not really worth getting a potentially stressful holiday job to make that extra money. The kids need looking after, meals still need cooking, house work still needs doing. 

So something you can do from home would be best.

One little site I use to earn money is a site called Bubblews.

Bubblews is a site that pays you for writing for them. It really is that easy.

You join up and create an account, write posts that are a minimum of 400 characters long....that's characters, not words....(paste your post into wordcounter to check how many characters it contains) and publish your post.

You can write about ANYTHING....the funny thing your kid said last night, your fabulous recipe, your views the government, why people should skydive.

You are paid per view, so connect to other writers on the site, tweet your post, add it to your facebook account and share in on google plus.

Make sure you play by the rules: do not copy/paste from other sites, do not plagiarize, credit images to their source and no blatant self promotion.

Pay-outs happen when you reach $25 or above, just hit the big green REDEEM button on your account.

Link your  Bubblews account to your paypal account and after 72 hours, you'll get notification the money is in your account.

Easy. 

I have been paid out five times now, so this site is definitely worth your time.

Don't forget about gift certificates

Gift Certificates can make great gifts for at Christmas.

Sometimes, it's hard think of something to get for a particular person. It’s not that they're too picky or that you’re not great at picking out gifts, it’s just that they love shopping for themselves, or maybe you don't know they're interests well enough.

If that’s the case, then gift certificates can be a great idea. When you give a gift certificate, there’s never any doubt that the gift is the wrong size or color or is something the person already has. And this way, the recipient can enjoy a holiday shopping spree of their own.

Check Gift Certificates on Amazon.

To make it a stress-free shopping experience for you and the recipient, many online stores offer a variety of different denominations in certificates. No hassle of standing in lines after the holidays, the person can log on to their favorite online stores and browse while in the comfort of their lounge. Gift certificates can be used for anything under the sun.

They can buy items from health and beauty or can pick out a favorite book. They can order movies, music or clothing. The list is endless. Giving someone a way to make their favorite choices is a way of saying that you respect their desire to bring into their life things they want. There are hundreds of online stores that carry certificates and many of those don’t have an expiration date.

And there are SO MANY gift certificates to different stores and restaurants!

iTunes Gift CardCHECK PRICE

The Cheesecake Factory Gift CardCHECK PRICE

LeapFrog App Center Download Card (works with all LeapPad Tablets, LeapsterGS, Leapster Explorer and LeapReader)CHECK PRICE

Which also means the receiver of the gift certificate can shop for things at their leisure, then wait another month and get something else. They can wait for a sale or for when the item they want is on clearance, to make the most of the money on the certificate.

Gift certificates come in different designs with colorful artwork that will fit whatever the interests are of the person you're giving it to. For example, Mom may enjoy a certificate with flowers or dolphins, whilst teenagers may prefer something a little funkier.

Two more benefits of gift certificates: 

• They are REALLY easy and cheap to post!

• You CAN buy them at the last minute if you've left Christmas shopping a bit late.

                                                             

Stock up on stocking stuffers

Stocking stuffers are an essential part of kit at Christmas, if you and/or the kids like to hang a stocking on Christmas eve. But what to put in there? You don't want to spend an arm or a leg and I'm sure you don't want to be caught out at the last minute with nothing to pad out their stockings with. 

Here's a few tips and ideas for stocking stuffers:

Stocking stuffers don't usually have to be particularly specific, so keep this in mind whenever you're shopping.  If you're ordering something on Amazon.com, throw in something extra at the same time. If you do it right, you may even qualify for their free postage.

This Trash Pack set contains 5 figures, each in their own little trash bin. 

Perfect for putting in a Christmas stocking.

Available on Amazon.

Things like bubbles, balloons, lego figures, trash packs, nail polish, beads, hair ties and notebooks are available in many stores including grocery stores, so consider picking up some bits and pieces next time you're in there.

For older kids, get a bit more specific if you like: if the family is heading off camping in the summer, hit up a camping store and purchase a few cheap gadgets. 

Compasses, small flashlights, canteen and the like.

This 5 in 1 gadget includes a compass, whistle and waterproof compartment. 

What camping kid wouldn't be excited finding this in their stocking?

Available on Amazon.

Do you have a sports nut? A miniature basketball or soccer ball, sports socks and fancy sweat bands, a snazzy drink bottle, colored shoe laces for their shoes.

For a girly girl, pick up some nail polish and nail gems, body glitter, lip balm, charms for a phone or school bag, hot pink ear buds.

Good for an ipod, ipad or mom's phone....and they're PINK! Squeee!

Available on Amazon

Throw in a chocolate frog, a lollipop or dried fruit snacks, a juice box or fizzy drink for a treat, these can of course be bought with your groceries.

If your kids are happy with healthier things, go that route for sure, just keep in mind if you're including fresh items, you probably WILL need to get them at the last minute. One year we included a box of fresh blueberries in my youngest's stocking, he thought they were  fabulous treat.

Annie's Fruit Snacks are at the healthier end of treats for Christmas stocking, but still tasty.

Available on Amazon

Nearly all of these items are available YEAR ROUND, so think about them NOW. 

You can spread the cost out and you won't be scrambling at the last minute.

Remember, the less you have to do at the last minute, the better!

Shopping for Christmas through out the year

Many people take advantage of sales as they happen throughout the year, to build up a stash of gifts they can use for birthdays and Christmas.

This can definitely be a good idea, the only problem I find is now that my kids are a bit older....5 and 8 years old.....they have definite preferences, and these change throughout the year.

For example, lego ninjas may be all the rage in August, so I buy a set on sale, then by the time December rolls around, they're all about lego stars wars.

This is the star wars lego T6 Jedi Shuttle, Santa bought this to my son when he was 6 years old.

Which is all fine and good, but I don't want to give them too many gifts. 

So usually I ask them to pick one decent size lego set each (my boys are all about lego) and 'Santa' will give it to them. I do caution them to be reasonable in their request, Santa can't quite work miracles after all, but what that means is, if I buy a decent sized set that they're interested in earlier in the year because it's on sale, they may well ask Santa for a different set closer to the time.

The lego Black Pearl, this one was actually a birthday gift.

Leaving me with a big lego set that I'm not going to give them and having to buy another. I realise I don't HAVE to get another set....the one they request closer to Christmas.... but I do like to get them the one they request, because that is their one main gift. They will also get a book, something they need, and something to share...a game or sports equipment etc.

So, buying ahead of time can be a very good idea, if you know what gift you plan to give to a particular person.

It works well for younger children without specific preferences.

It works well for collectors, you can source a particular item to go in a collection. The receiver is probably not going to change their mind and suddenly ditch their collection of vintage toasters or pig shaped salt and pepper shakers, are they?

It is a good idea to keep a stash of gifts for birthday parties, that is, parties your child may be invited to.

These don't need to be too specific usually, so when you find a sale on, stocking up for this purpose is a wise idea.

If you're planning to Christmas shop online....

One of my all-time favorite ways to Christmas shop, is online.

No crowds, no parking problems, no pressure, no kids begging for this or that, you won't lose your wallet, or forget your bags, run out of gas, need to stop for lunch, and everything gets delivered to your door.

What's not to love?

Just be sure to leave yourself plenty of time for the postie to get your goods to you.

Where to shop?

Amazon.com  - good for just about everything

eBay.com - good for just about anything

Etsy.com - good for hand crafted and one of a kind items

Major chain stores - many large chain stores have an online presence


These are the 3 big ones that come immediately to mind, but really, all you need to do is Google your chosen product and a list of websites that sell it will show up.

Things to keep in mind when Christmas shopping online

Shipping costs: for obvious reasons

Shipping time: make sure you give things time to arrive before Christmas.

Warranties: this is important  especially if buying ahead of time. Make sure warranties will still be valid once Christmas has been and gone.

Return policy: if the product that arrives is defective, you need to be able to return it. If is opened for the first time on Christmas morning and then found to be defective, you still need to be able to return it.

Other online places to keep your eye on...

Freecycle.org: Through Freecycle you may be able to find things that suit. Some people are not comfortable giving (or receiving) second hand goods, but are your kids really going to care if the slide you gave them is brand new from the box, once it's set up in the front yard? Look for freecycle in your area.

Craigslist: Another way you may be able to find what you're after is on Craigslist. Craigslist does not operate in every country though, so check to see if it's available in your area.

Facebook: Sometimes groups of friends will set up a facebook just for selling and swapping, or having an online garage sale. 

Start planning now

Leaving it all till the last minute is the most stressful thing you can do, so get moving...!

Plan your Christmas shopping ahead

Most important: plan ahead

Now, if you've managed to talk the family and extended family into the wish list system, think about getting this started sometime during November. 

Or even earlier in the year. 

Starting early means you can take advantage of clearance sales that may happen throughout the year. 

The sooner you can get others thinking about what they may like for Christmas, the easier it will be on you. 

Make lists

If folks are not on board with writing wish lists, make up your own lists on your computer, ph or ipad of all the people you want to (or feel obligated to) buy gifts for. Now, beside each name, write any ideas you have at this time of what might be an appropriate gift for each person.

Photo credit morgueFile

Don't get caught out by waiting to do this at the last minute. 

If you're shopping online, you need to allow time for the postie to get your goods to you before the public holidays kick in. And don't forget to think about weekends, or any non-shopping days. 

You may even want to arrange a child care swap with a friend, so you can get out without the kids. 

And it's a LOT easier shopping before school lets out for the Christmas holidays....

So, plan ahead. Make lists. 

Do it now!

(It's never too early!)

What to buy for who?

Think about instituting a wish list system.

It is soooo much less stressful if you know exactly what a person would like as a gift. 

No guessing on your part. Think about asking extended and immediate family who you usually buy gifts for, to create a Christmas wish list for each person. 

If they include specific product names/brands/sizes/colours and possibly a web link, that's even more helpful.

My husband has actually set up a small website for his side of the family, it allows each person to list their wants and needs, and I can look at each list and hit 'reserve' when I see a gift a would like to buy for that person off their list.

Clicking 'reserve' tells the other family members looking at that specific list, that I will be buying that specific gift, so there are no double-ups. Once I've actually bought the gift, I hit the 'purchased' button, so family will see I've bought it. But the person who I've bought if for does NOT see that.

Now, I can see and edit my own list on the site, but I cannot see who or if anyone has reserved any of my items or if any members of the family have bought items for me off my list.

The end result of chaotic Christmas shopping!

This little site has taken sooo much time off my Christmas shopping, I just love it.

Before, we were sending emails back and forth to different members of the family saying 'I bought xyz for so and so' and someone would email back 'Nooo, I've already bought her that!' People would be asking what the kids would like and I'd forget what I'd suggested to who. Darn it.

But still, even without our little website, having wish lists takes so much guess work out of the Christmas shopping fiasco.

You may encounter some resistance from die-hard fans of the surprise! element of gift-receiving but work on them, it will be well worth your while....