The holiday shopping season is upon us! The holidays can seem overwhelming for many reasons, but I find gift giving to be my biggest stressor. Do you feel the same? Here are some quick tips to help ease the stress of finding presents for your loved ones (then check out my article on buying from local small businesses):
1. THERE'S A REASON SANTA MAKES A LIST, and checks it twice.
I like to begin creating a list of gift ideas for friends and family members at some point during the summer, and adding to it as November approaches. I keep this running list as a note in my phone. The note is shared with my significant other so that we may both edit/add ideas to it throughout the year. Be strategic about how you add names to this list as well. Put your closest family at the top, as you'll likely refer to their section the most. Then I like to list people based on their immediate family group as I will be budgeting based on that later on (in step 3). For example, I list my brother's name, his wife, and then their three kids' names. Next I list my second-oldest brother's name and his family. You get the idea. Feel free to create categories based on whatever is important to you! You could list children you're buying for all together, or children in certain age groups all together, or all your aunts could be one after the other, etc. You do whatever works best for your sanity.
2. GATHER DETAILS ABOUT EACH PERSON.
I have found that keeping my list in a place easily accessible helps me to be able to frequently add little details under each person's name from wherever I am the moment an idea comes to me. I would not have this freedom if I kept the list in a notebook! For example, when having coffee with my best friend and she makes a comment about how much she loves the new TV show Ted Lasso, I can quickly add that detail to my "Holiday Gift List" note in my phone (without her even noticing I am taking note, wink wink).
3. ADD BUDGET PARAMETERS
Around November 1st I survey my list of family and friends and add a dollar amount next to their name, or next to the name of the family member at the top of each of my family groups (as explained in step 1). This helps me stay on track when searching for gifts. If it's out of the price range I have listed, it is not purchased.
4. SHOP OR CREATE
Now that you have the master list of who you're buying for, what their interest are, and how much you are spending, you can begin the search for a gift. We all know to begin this step as early as possible! Start by reviewing the notes you've made for the person you are shopping for. For example, when shopping for my brother's gift, I have noted he is interested in raising chickens, loves the Bengals football team, and needs new wool socks, wearing size 13 shoes. I would look into gifting him some silly socks with chickens on them! Or another idea is to purchase Bengals tickets for his family. This is where you should refer to the budget you marked next to the names on your list! I humbly suggest you read this article where I spotlight local businesses and what types of gifts you can purchase from the small businesses in our area. They need all the help we can give them this time of year!
Most important to remember this time of year is what makes it all worthwhile - spending time with your loved ones and celebrating your traditions. Happy shopping everyone!
