Zannee’s Blog at BargainsLA.com

When you’re holiday shopping sometimes planning your purchases is the best bet… especially if you tend to buy things for yourself.

I have a great Marshall’s and TJ Maxx near me and I pop in monthly to rove for bargain gifts. On one foray, three weeks ago I found these cool shirts by Max Studio for $29. They fit me beautifully and looked great, but I only I got one since it wasn’t a planned purchase. I didn’t find any gifts that thrilled.

This week I popped in again on the hunt for goodies for the family and I found more of those little Max Studio gems on sale for $22 instead of the $29 I originally paid. So, I got one more and I also found my favorite English tea at 50% less and another cool tee for just $5.  Again no gifts were purchased.

Two visits and I personally scored 4 great buys, but my gift list has remained the same.

I gave the Christmas shopping another try at the LF Warehouse Sale. This time I stuck to my guns and spent the first hour snatching up stellar buys for my persnickety tween. As I sorted through the $5 hats, $6 XS tees, $12 sweats and $8 fun skirts I found a bunch of items she should adore. I even tried talking another shopper out of the last remaining tote bag for my fashion forward daughter.

It was only after I had scored goodies for her that I looked around for myself. I ended up with a great pair of Jeffery Campbell booties for $10 and a nice cocktail dress for $15.

It’s hard not buying for yourself while Christmas shopping. Still, I’ll keep trying till I get it right.