www . sapphirelily . net | SAPPHIRE LILY | HOLIDAY | 9
If you have your addresses on a computerized database , consider printing out your mailing list on clear address labels . Years ago , an old college friend commented that she thought it was tacky to use address labels on holiday cards and letters . I told her that my choice was to either use labels or not mail our annual holiday letter to the 250 people on our list . Now that she has a young family , I ’ ve noticed she has started using address labels , too !
E-mail a holiday letter to those with whom you correspond electronically . You can easily personalize this for each recipient . Attach color photos highlighting the past year . Another alternative is to create a holiday web page , and include the link to it in a personalized e-mail message .
Mail packages early to avoid longer lines at the post office and ensure they will arrive in time . Or , better yet , sign up with Stamps . com and avoid the lines altogether . You can mail large packages without standing in any lines -- as long as you have an accurate way to weigh them before you purchase postage online .
==> Thoughtfully plan your gift-giving . Give from the heart ... not out of obligation . Decide whom you choose to give to and make a list . This will help you avoid overspending through impulse buying . If you think back to the most cherished gifts you have received , they are often homemade or from the heart . A gift of time -- such as a gift certificate redeemable for an activity you can do together -- can be very meaningful . Among the most prized gifts I ’ ve ever received have been homemade cards with a heartfelt note written inside . Value goes far beyond the cost of the gift .
A great resource for homemade gift ideas is a book called The Perfect Mix . It contains creative edible gift ideas , including wrapping suggestions and tag instructions , along with a source guide for supplies . The book offers more than 90 recipes for soups , breads , muffins , cookies , and other gifts . The gifts I ’ ve created from this book have been very well received and appreciated .
Instead of exchanging gifts with friends , consider having a holiday or post-holiday party with them . Avoid parking hassles , gridlock traffic around the malls , and long lines at the register by shopping online and through catalogs . A number of retail stores now offer merchandise online , as well . If you are purchasing a gift that needs to be mailed , you can arrange to have it sent directly to the recipient , thus avoiding the extra steps of wrapping , labeling , and mailing the gift .
Spread out your purchase of gifts over the weeks of November and early December . It ’ s easier on the budget , and less stressful than waiting until the last minute . Wrapping gifts can take a lot of time . Instead of wrapping all of them , use a gift bag with a nice bow tied at the top , or use a decorated gift box .
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