Mom Types - Military Moms

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It's holiday shopping season. Your military exchange is decorated to the hilt. The local big box stores have been playing Alvin and the Chipmunk Christmas hits for weeks. Meanwhile, grocery prices have gone up and you don't have much time left for holiday shopping before overseas mailing deadlines arrive. What's a military mom to do? I've been in charge of my family's holiday shopping for, well, it's been a long time. My husband hates to shop, and the Navy usually sends him away right at that critical shop-and-wrap-and-assemble-tricycles time. If you're just getting your holiday shopping list together, allow me to offer some tried-and-true shopping tips for military moms.

• Write down your shopping plan. This will take a little time, but it's the most important step because it prevents impulse and duplicate buying. Make a list of everyone you need to shop for. Next to each name, write down your gift ideas for that person. Then, carry that list with you everywhere. Cross off each person as you make your purchases. A written plan will keep you on track and help you stick to your holiday shopping budget.
• Buy local specialties. If you're stationed far from home, go local. Buy regional specialties and housewares for the foodies on your list. Give children toys or puzzles from another country. Locally-made holiday decorations and ornaments make great gifts, too.
• Shop early and alone. If you head out before the crowds hit the stores, you'll be clear-headed and able to make good shopping choices. If possible, get a babysitter for your children. Kids, while wonderful, are distracting, and they will beg you to buy things for them. Leaving them at home will help you stick to your shopping plan. You'll be able to zoom through the store aisles, too - a great time-saver.
• Compare prices and look for sales and online deals. Once you've identified possible gift ideas, take the time to look online and in sales fliers to find the best prices. Don't forget to check the AAFES Web site as you compare prices. Military exchanges don't charge sales tax, and their shipping prices are competitive.
• Check product reviews before you buy gifts you don't know much about. The Type-A Mom Gift Guide is a great resource for product reviews. You can also find product reviews at most shopping Web sides and consumer product review sites.
• Think small. Remember that you'll have to mail these items if you're far from home. Big, heavy items will blow your mailing budget.
• Be creative. Gifts don't have to come in boxes. You can give the gift of time, offering to babysit or decorate a special occasion cake. You can also give someone a membership, magazine subscription or specially-made photo or music CD. Grandparents love to get photos of their grandchildren; enlargements are easy to make, either online or at a do-it-yourself photo kiosk (you can find these at big box stores).
• Beware of scams and identity theft. Check your credit card statements for double charges and other discrepancies. Call your bank right away if something doesn't look right to you. Don't be fooled by emails and Web ads that promise super deals - if it sounds too good to be true, it's probably a scam of some kind.

Holiday shopping can be fun, even for busy military moms. Make your list and check it twice, then head to the stores with a smile on your face.

 

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