For many of us (this Elf included), it’s a three-day weekend.  That means many stores will advertise their holiday sales and the ambitious among you may decide to start your Christmas shopping.  Here are some helpful shopping hints:

• Only buy a gift if you know who the recipient will be.  "I’ll find someone" is how the closet of ungiven gifts fills up.
• Focus on seasonal clearance items.  Especially at outlet malls, there may be some great deals
• Don’t focus on the percentage off.  Ask yourself if the actual selling price is a good deal and a price that fits your budget. Something that’s 75% off can still be a budget breaker!
• Don’t let your mind rest on the most obvious use of an item.  Clearance-priced tank tops, tees, and camisoles aren’t just summer wardrobe essentials.  They make great layering pieces that can work in all seasons.  Just make sure the colors don’t scream last year.  Similarly, lots of craft stores are having sales on baskets right now.  For a friend whose home features earth tones, they make great decorating pieces — think mail catcher, newspaper/magazine basket, etc.

I want to suggest NOT buying all the cutesy Halloween-themed serverware that you will see in the stores.  Do you really want a serving dish shaped like a ghost?  Would you use it more than once a year? Do you need a talking candy bowl to entertain trick-or-treaters?  In my neighborhood, the kids want to get the candy and get out. 

Instead, buy more generic serverware that you can use throughout the year.  If you do buy holiday-themed stuff, at least wait until after the holiday until it’s on clearance, then put it away until next year.  Still, if your big event of the year is your Halloween party, go ahead and splurge a bit.  Put your money where your priorities live.