Christmas is coming...

It's that time of year... Oh, yes it is... some people start shopping now, because they are just like that.  Some are making things and have to start early.  Some have budget restraints.  Some will wait til the last minute because it seems more like the holidays then...

However you prepare, you probably have a list at least in your head!

This time of year I have to start thinking about when I'll ship my last orders and work backwards from there.  Just to make it a bit more complicated, my house is on the market and could sell at any time (she said wishfully).  AND, because that isn't complicated enough, I am going to visit one of my sons and his family in the UK at the end of October, cutting off 3 weeks of shipping time. 

(We will take orders, but will not be shipping them between October 24th and November 13th!) I'll  leave the shop open and still take orders, but that means when I return, there will be a pile of orders that need to be filled (she said hopefully).

It's also time for coupons, for those who shop early, they can get an extra 20% off off bookplates by using XMAS EARLY2012 at check-out, good until November 1st 2012.   Regular customers who have signed up for an account can always use REPEAT2012 for a 10% discount, good anytime.  And for those reading here, typing in BLOGGIE2012 will give a 15% discount until November 11th.

My Regretsy friends also have a coupon card, but that's for those who are in the know!  I'm going to also provide a special WePay shop for them to order stuff that only Regretsy people really want!

      

Sale! Mini books clearance....

Oh, boy -- it isn't even Christmas, but its time to have a SALE! Out of the goodness of my heart, and because I'm trying to down-size my work and my life, I've marked down mini-books to some ridiculous prices, from .97 to $2.00 (no I'm not KIDDING)!! If you order more than one use the cheaper SHIPPING ALTERNATIVE! This should give you a low price on shipping. Please take a look -- Tolkien, Zen, Buddha, sisters, mothers, brothers, dad, peace...more!

They are both on my facebook site and my main web shop! Help me out, help yourself!!!

Christmas is coming and the goose is gettin' ....

nervous, I think.. because our pocket books haven't gotten any fatter.   Still, there are plenty of things we can do.  True, not whipping out that credit card and heading to the big stores isn't going to help Big Business and the Economy.

But we can still have a nice holiday without spending money we don't have, or money we need for other things.


1)  Buy less new stuff, but shop locally (and among small businesses over chains).   When you shop locally, the taxes paid go into your local economy - and you are supporting small businesses around you.

Many places have a local shopping day after Thanksgiving - even if you think you can't do all your holiday shopping locally and want to take advantage of discounts and coupons the chain stores will be offering, set aside a day and a dollar amount or percent to commit to your local shops - and have fun shopping locally!

2) Shop early (it's not too late - start now!) and take advantage of coupons and discounts.  I have some in here.. you just need to do a tag search for coupons -- you can get 15% off on bookplates until Dec 10th with one!   

3) Something old, something new -- along with that low budget but nice new gift from a local merchant, how about a quality "used" item?

  Goodwill and other second hand stores make good places to shop.  Why not?  Make sure used puzzles have all the pieces, but Goodwill has things that aren't used, too.   Be a second hand store yourself - what do you have that you can re-gift?   I have a cam corder I never use and a second camera, too - both are going to be re-gifted to family members, along with new gifts.

4) Make what you can.  It is true, home made gifts are appreciated.  What?  You aren't a creative type?  Hey, there are all kinds of gifts you can make that require little creativity or even effort.  How about a framed photo of a picture you took?  An inexpensive mug with a dry cocoa mix for hot chocolate and a peppermint stick candy stirrer?  The library has lots of magazines with ideas - the internet is filled - do a search...

Here's a place to start...

http://www.craftbits.com/misc-crafts

The holidaze are upon us...

About last week, it seemed everyone (myself included) began to realize that Christmas is upon us... orders started flowing in right as I got this feeling that I wanted... or needed.. (whatever!) to get out and do some serious shopping!

Is the economy picking up? I don't know... I'm not entirely shopping with coupons and sales on my mind -- my youngest son and oldest grandson have things they want on their Wish List -- they seem to be like many others in their age groups (9 - 18) so the things they want aren't deep discounted.

And my dear customers stun me by somehow ignoring or not noticing the 10% discount I've offered through Twitter. My guess is most are my age or older and relatively clueless as to what Twitter is, let alone how to use it. I'm also a bit shocked at how many are a few cents (and I mean cents, not dollars) away from the free shipping, but ignore it.

Of course, I've done the same myself many times -- my own attitude has been something along the lines of "daggone it, you aren't gonna manipulate me into buying another bookplate I don't want or need, just to get your free shipping!"

I'd love to know, aside from good service and good products, what do customers want?