The worst time to go shopping for holiday gifts is when time is short, the crowds are thick and you haven t made a list. You end up spending more than your budget and the credit card blues arrive with the bill in January. Marianne Gray, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service in Greater Fort Worth, Texas, knows the pitfalls of haphazard holiday spending. She offers these tips to help consumers shop wisely. Scale down your holiday gift list.
Limit purchases to family and close friends.
Consider giving baked goods or inexpensive gift alternatives to neighbors or co-workers. Make gift baskets, which are inexpensive but popular. Buy gift certificates for restaurants, spas, movie theaters, hotels and department stores. Shop early in the day, when it s easier to get service from salespeople. Check out on-line shopping to save time.