Holiday shopping stressing you out?

Holiday Shopping Made Easy Easier!

I am not even close to beginning to think about the upcoming holidays. I know that Thanksgiving is next week and that just boggles my mind? I don't even know what happened to the previous 10 months, but I don't think we experienced all 10 of them. I think Father Time is playing some might cruel jokes on us these days.

I can handle getting the details together for next week's Thanksgiving Day events--- which really only include; sleeping in, cooking, eating, watching football, cleaning the kitchen, eating more, more football, eating pie and drifting off to sleep.

What I can't handle is the stresses of holiday shopping. I am not a huge fan of crowds. I like to get in, get what I need and check out in a reasonable amount of time. However, this year, I don't even know what I am getting anyone (except my son, he's easy to shop for.)

Do you hate waiting in long lines? Fighting crowded stores? Seeing your items "out of stock?" Or are you the type of person who thrives on planning out their Black Friday shopping trips down to the very minute, noting what they're purchasing at each store and making a game plan to go in teams, split up and grab enough sale items to split between people? (Yes, I know some of these people).

Well, there is a great trend emerging for those of us looking for the hand-made touch for holiday gifts and these events are being held in neighborhoods all over the U.S.

What are these events called? Boutiques

These events are organized mostly by women who are into crafting and selling various products. They gather in one location and create a mini-shopping mall in neighborhoods, homes, club houses, hotels and so on.

I am pleased as punch to have started a forum to advertise for these great events! I think the best gifts are those that are made by hand. They're unique, quality is high and I know that I am supporting small businesses!

Visit Community Forums: Crafting Events for the events going on now! If you know of others, please feel free to contact us and have your event listed on our site.

I hope that we each remember to take time as we think about what "gifts" we're giving, to give back to our communities. Our food drive is still going on. It's easy to do. Just contact your local food bank, find out their needs and collect away!