What a better time than the madness of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, now seeping into Canada, to again discuss holiday shopping needs.

How are you getting on? Do you have a list? Are you checking it twice? In a brief moment of clarity this week, I pulled a lined piece of paper out of a notebook and made a proper list of every single person I can currently think of that we need gifts for, and either an idea of what they might like or the actual things we’ve already bought beside their name. Present planning, pwned.

I’m not a last-minute shopper. I like to swoop in strategically when something is priced right, even if it’s July. Here’s my advice to you as you only have a few weeks left:

1. Do some research on what you’d like to buy in advance. For the kids, the Fisher-Price website with its Joy of Learning Playtime Guide is really useful. I can look up Charlie’s age (12-18 months) and it will helpfully suggest different toys based on meeting his physical, cognitive, or social and emotional learning needs. It’s telling me he might like the Laugh and Learn Dance and Play Puppy. I’m considering it.

2. Read the flyers or coupon/deal blogs. Have a particular gift in mind? For the kids, keep an eye on flyers like Toys R Us or the big department stores, or even your neighbourhood toy shop. Combine a sale price with coupons and you’ll leave the store grinning.

The Fisher-Price Celebrate and Save coupons are still valid until December 31, 2012  - but if you’re getting them online, you need to access them by November 30th. Get them quick!

3. Find very good hiding places in your house. We use the tops of closets or drawers buried in the husband’s junk room. I mean, workshop. The kids haven’t actually figured out where we hide the presents yet. YET.

4. Watch them open their gifts as you gather around the tree or the fire or the table. Bask in the glow of holiday togetherness, along with the knowledge that you got a good deal on a present they love. Which is almost as good as holiday togetherness. Maybe even better.

Have fun, shoppers.

Disclosure: I am a Fisher-Price Mom and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Related posts:

1. Fisher-Price: Celebrate and Save Coupons
2. Fisher-Price: The Joy of Learning Playtime Guide
3. Fisher-Price: Celebrate and Save
4. Learning through play: Great Fisher-Price Toys
5. February Fun with Fisher-Price