My husband is a really creative gift giver, and seems to always pick the perfect gift for our family and friends. But, I’m not so creative in that department, and shopping during the holidays seems so overwhelming. Finding the perfect gift doesn’t have to be stressful or give you a headache. Here’s 5 Ways to Simplify Gift Giving this Christmas…
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Thoughtful Gift Card
First of all, don’t underestimate the power of a gift card. I know some people say that gift cards are informal and unthoughtful, but I disagree. I love receiving gift cards. I enjoy shopping for something I really like after the holidays with gift cards, or enjoying dinner on a friend thanks to a gift card.
Dress up your gift card gift with a special box or bow, or attach it to a candy bar or an ornament.
Shop In Your Pajamas
Avoid the chaotic stores, and shop online. Amazon is our best friend during the holidays. We often sit down one night and knock out our entire shopping list, purchasing all of our gifts online. It’s over in a matter of minutes, and we do it all in our pajamas! And, even better yet, the gifts are delivered right to our doorstep. It’s perfect!
(Here’s some of my favorite cozy gifts.)
Stay On Budget
Stick to a budget for each person. We usually spend the same amount on each kiddo in our life, even though we’d love to give them the world.
Drop the guilt and do not over-gift. Give your family members one or two meaningful gifts.
Consider quality over quantity, and give experiences versus tangible gifts when possible. We love to surprise our nieces and nephew with tickets to a hockey game, or take the to a zoo for the day when the weather is warmer. They remember those times with us, and appreciate that so much more.
Toys break, but memories last forever.
Give Memories & Keepsakes
Every Christmas we make a photobook for my inlaws of all the pictures we’ve taken of our niece and nephew (their grandkids) throughout the year. Sometimes that simple photobook from Shutterfly only costs $25, but you’d think we’d given them a million dollars. That’s a meaningful gift that always invokes tears and laughter. And, the kids love them too!
Secret Santa
Try doing a Secret Santa Exchange instead of buying for everyone. On my side of the family, we pick names at Thanksgiving for Secret Santa. We all buy for the kids, but spend around $25 on our Secret Santa. Not only does it save time and money, but it allows us to focus just on that one family member and what they might like. And, inevitably, thanks to my curious mom and sister, we all find out long before Christmas morning who our Secret Santa is. It’s a fun tradition.
Gift giving doesn’t have to be a pain the neck during the holiday season. So, I challenge you today, to shop at home in your pajamas, don’t overspend, don’t feel guilty about giving a gift card or two, and if possible give gifts that create memories or experiences.
And, always remember, just as our moms would say, “it’s the thought that counts”.
Don’t fret over not being able to spend a lot of money or give everyone you love in your life a gift. Send a card, give a hug, call them up on the phone. Meaningful moments cost so much less, but give so much more.
Merry Christmas!
