Procrastinating shoppers shouldn't forget that coupon code
websites like CouponCowgirl.com provide coupon codes for discounts to hundreds of popular online retailers (i.e. Zappos and Dell Home). Coupon Cowgirl offers over 600 stores, as well as suggestions and tips on how to save money on one easily navigable website. Many online retailers are now offering last minute discounts sitewide, as well as on gift cards and Free 2day Shipping for the holidays.

I procrastinate on shopping because I hate everything about the activity--the panic, the bustle, the noise, the bad humour, the returns... My salvation has been online sites like Amazon. But that has always seemed so impersonal.

Years ago, I decided that I would make my presents. There was a double bang for the buck, if you will--a double dose of joy from giving something from the soul. Not everyone likes to receive handmade gifts (a box of homemade cookies and a gift card for them!). For the people who do, though, the opportunity to share that joy has been rich.

The past few years have been very busy and I have had to skip the personal touch. It has led to a few soulless Christmases (at least for me; the kids seem to like it just fine). My resolution is similar to yours: to find creative ways of putting back into my life the comfort and joy that those hobby activities give me, and to share that with as many as I can. The solution may lie in spreading it out over the year--in finding a little bit of time each day.

May you find peace, comfort and joy this season; and the best for 2009.