How Moms Shop Online

Study: Mothers Know Best for Online Shopping
Moms were also more likely than non-moms to single out customer product reviews or ratings as the most influential source for obtaining holiday gift information
Dec 17, 2008
By Katy Bachman

Mom knows best when it comes to shopping, and there's a good reason for it: She's big on conducting research before plunking down the dollars. That's according to results from a new Mindshare Online Research study released Tuesday (Dec. 16) that found that 61 percent of moms research holiday gifts compared to only 48 percent of non-moms.

Moms were also more likely than non-moms to single out customer product reviews or ratings as the most influential source for obtaining holiday gift information, 23 percent versus 12 percent.

Another valuable tool is the Internet with 54 percent of all shoppers surveyed doing the bulk of holiday shopping online.

Overall, women are the family members most likely to handle the holiday shopping--77 percent of women compared to 36 percent for men.

As expected, 64 percent of all shoppers said they expect to spend less on gifts this year than previous year and more than three-fourths said they will shop around to find the best prices.

Conducted in December by BuzzBack Market Research, Mindshare's online study was based on a survey of 350 adults.

Give yourself the gift of planning

Today, there are 10 days until Christmas. Presents are wrapped and hidden, the holiday meal has been planned, invitations to holiday parties and get-togethers have been accepted, and batches of holiday cookies have been baked.

If you have guests arriving before or on Christmas day, however, then you still have plenty to do in order to prepare your home for the Christmas festivities. Begin each day with a plan of attack. Move your least pleasant tasks to the top of the list and plan to do them first thing in the morning.

Give yourself the gift of early preparation & confidence! www.listplanit.com

GRANDMA'S CEREAL COOKIES

What child doesn't like cookies? If you're having trouble your children to eat their cereal in the morning, here's the recipe for delicious, nutritious cookies, from my grandma.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shortening or organic butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla
1 cup sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
¼ cup milk
2 cups of your favorite nutritious cereal (We use Wheaties)
1 cup chocolate chips

Three steps that make you a cook:

1) Cream the shortening or butter, sugar, brown sugar, milk, egg and vanilla. 2) In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, the baking soda, the powder and the salt. 3) Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. When they're mixed fold in 1 cup chocolate chips and 2 cups of your favorite cereal.

Cook at 350 degrees on a buttered cookie sheet for 10-12 minutes.

Holiday Tips with Peggy Porter

Each year around this time, my girlfriends and I go on our annual shopping trip to the US. This is usually the time for me when I start my shopping and Christmas preparations.

Although for some, it may seem a bit premature, I always like to remind my readers in early November of how they can begin to implement a few tips now that can save them holiday stress later.

Being a busy, working mom is usually demanding enough, however, throw in a holiday and your stress level can go through the roof if you are not organized.

Each year some of us make the promise to ourselves that we will not be so unprepared or disorganized next Christmas. Somehow though, the year creeps up quickly and we are left with the same frantic schedule.

This year make a commitment to fully embrace and enjoy all that this wonderful time of year has to offer. Don't allow another year to go by feeling pressured, stressed and overwhelmed. You have complete control over what your holiday season will consist of.

Following are a few tips that may be helpful in getting a head start so when the season is in full swing, you can relax and enjoy all the festivities.

* Make your Christmas list now and start shopping. Write down who you have to buy for, any suggestions you have for gifts and approximate amount you want to spend on each person. Knowing how much you want to spend will eliminate a lot of needless shopping for items that are out of your price range. With the help of the computer, you can make a master list and save it so you can reuse each year, adding or changing as necessary. Use the convenience of gift certificates and online as well as catalogue shopping. It can make the whole process so much less demanding (unless you get a big rush being in the stores on the Saturday before Christmas!).

* Organize your gift wrapping essentials. Buy a container to house all your wrapping paper, scissors, ribbons and tags. Have it all ready in a convenient place such as a closet or under the bed. As you buy a gift, bring it home and wrap it. Having all the items together makes it easy to wrap as you buy. I have done this for the last few years and it makes my wrapping effortless, or almost effortless!

* Eliminate clutter now. In order to get ready for the new, get rid of the old. Go through your kids' toy boxes and throw out any broken or incomplete toys. Donate any others that your kids have outgrown and are still in good condition. If your kids are old enough, have them organize their own clothing or toys - a great way to teach them responsibility.

* Take care of your health. With the hectic schedule that many of us have during the season, it is a necessity to eat well and exercise regularly if we want to be energized and able to effectively manage holiday stress.

* Put yourself at the top of your Christmas to-do list. Remember that sacrificing your health and sanity does nothing for you or your family's Christmas spirit. Nourish and renew your own spirit this holiday season and I guarantee it will be the best gift your family will receive. Visit www.peggyporter.com for more great ideas from Canada's Finest Mom Coach!