Stress Free Gift Shopping for the Holidays

If you’re looking for stress free gift shopping for the Holidays this year, there are a few ways you can avoid the stress.

Thanksgiving is my absolute FAVORITE holiday. I love to spend time with family and friends as well as catch up with people I haven’t seen in a while.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many have already started their holiday shopping and are worried about overspending. My parents taught me how to create a budget to manage how much I spend and this has helped me to determine what type of gifts to purchase or make.

So, here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re looking for the “perfect” holiday gifts (if “perfect” is the best word to use to spread joy).

Have a plan

Identify what the heck you’re doing. When I go gift shopping, I set realistic expectations and think of the five W’s:

• Who is receiving the gift? Do they play a significant role in my life?
• What type of gift do I want to give this person?  Is it a holiday party hostess gift or a roommate yankee swap?
• When will this person receive the gift(s)? Before, during or after the holiday? There’s always those great after holiday sales so do we schedule the work holiday swap after the holidays?
• Where should I get the gift? In-person? Online? Is it easy enough to make myself?
• And certainly why should I get that specific gift? Will it be meaningful?

Create a budget

Impulsive buying may damage your wallet. So, just like grocery shopping, make a list, stick to it and leave the credit cards at home. In other words, when I only use the cash that’s in my wallet, I’m forced to limit my spending to what I have on hand.

Declutter

I absolutely LOVE decluttering. And when it comes to the holidays, you don’t need to regift quite yet, but think about what you might be able to part with.

Gather items room-by-room so you can determine what you want to sell, throw away and/or recycle.  An option may be to  sell items online or to a local thrift/consignment store. In addition, consider making a donation to a favorite local animal shelter in their name with the money.

DIY

Make a memorable homemade gift. Growing up, my brothers and I would paint ornaments to give to our grandparents.

Before going on a spending spree, look around your house to see what materials you may already have on hand. I’ve seen personal note cards made by repurposing recycled paper or a framed art piece from broken buoys. 

Homemade cookies are always a welcome treat and fun to create memories while baking with friends and family.

Shop Small and Local

I love small, local businesses. You’ve most likely been at work all day and the last thing you want to do is drive around a mall parking lot. 

Browse your local shop for gifts before going to the mall. It may not be something your child asked for, but small business owners create a unique experience and choices based on hand-selected items that customers may like and want.

With less crowds, lines at small businesses will be shorter and the shop owners can assist you with your five W’s.  For example, the HausWitch in Salem, Massachusetts creates their own unique, funky home cleaning products. 

Who would’ve thought that to explore local shops would be a fun experience and not just a chore to find that “perfect”gift.

Give Thanks

The holidays are always a chaotic time of year.  Express your gratitude to those you care about by recognizing simple actions and/or accomplishments and even difficult changes and  transitions they may have experienced over the past year with a handwritten note. 

Not everyone is fortunate to be able to buy even a simple inexpensive gift whether it’s handmade or not.  Maybe the “perfect gift” using the five W’s may not be a gift at all but to give and share your time with someone can also be a blessing for you.

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