Simplify Your Gift-Giving Stress This Year
"I wanted to bring joy to other people and decided the holidays were as much a matter of organization as they were a matter of the heart. The two work together. Organization during the holidays is an expression of the heart."
-Marcia Ramsland
Gift giving can be one of the biggest stresses of the holidays, beginning with deciding what to buy, where to buy it, followed by time spent wrapping and delivering it. Not any more! Once you have a gift list full of ideas, past lists for reference, and gift-wrapping supplies on hand, holiday shopping can begin to take shape. A pretty wrapping paper, sparkly bow, and signed card are our goal—and done long before Christmas Eve. No more back-of-the-envelope planning as you head out to the mall. Keep your list on hand and simplify the abundance of choices by sticking to one or two mall stores or online shops.
Step #1. Find your Christmas gift list from last year (What? You didn't toss it out, did you?). Make a similar page and keep it in a notebook you can refer to year after year.
Now list the same people in the same order and that's how you start.
Step #2. Put suggestions next to each name. List places to purchase the gifts on-line or
stores to go to. Think of a "theme" to give everyone, like sweaters, CD's, or gift certificates.
Step #3. Divide your list by the number of weeks left. Shop and wrap for that number each week. You will feel relieved to be out of the mall and crowds.
Jumpstart Your Gift Giving with These Suggestions:
1. DO buy gifts that relate to a person's hobby and free time activities
Men - Event ticket, a new book, or gear for their favorite sport.
Women - Clothes, purse, or jewelry from their favorite store.
Teens - Music CD, clothes, or tickets to their favorite music group.
Children - Games, books, sport gear, or toys that they can play with right away.
2. DON'T give a practical person a sentimental gift and vice versa.
My Dad never lived the Christmas down when he gave my Mom a new boat motor for our lake
house at Christmas. A new necklace or bracelet would have been much safer and appreciated.
He agrees.
3. DO give gift certificates for something they would enjoy such as:
Coworker - Certificate for a restaurant like Olive Garden or Marie Callendar's.
Teenager/Young Adults - Certificate to a Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, Sport Mart or an
electronics store.
Mother-in-laws & Sisters-in-law - Certificate to a craft store like Michaels or Hobby Lobby.
4. DO buy "Nurturing" Gifts that say, "You are loved."
When you buy a gift for the interest area of a person at something they are trying to excel in or a
new hobby, they feel validated. A magazine subscription and one issue wrapped for the budding
gourmet cook in your house, or a new puppy for the grade schooler looking for a new friend.
5. DON'T FRET. . . Ask the hard to please person what they want. Or offer them three suggestions, and they will tell you what they would prefer instead. People love choices and getting gifts.
What's the Purpose?
The purpose of gift giving is to bring joy from your heart to theirs in a tangible way that they will remember this year. Everyone needs some cheer at the most hectic time of year. Make it easy on yourself and cut your holiday stress in half by getting your gift shopping well under way soon.
If you lost your gift lists from the last couple of years, isn't it time to get them organized? That means being able to find them in three minutes or less.
Check out my foolproof system that will keep you organized year after year in the attractive Simplify Your Holidays Classic Christmas Planner.
Decide when you want to finish your gift shopping and wrapping. Divide up the number of gifts into the weeks and follow your plan. If you are cramped for time, double up on the weekends so you can start each week with the last batch of shopping all wrapped.
Pretty soon you'll be sitting by the fireplace with your feet up enjoying the season!
Marcia Ramsland is well known as "The Organizing Pro" for her practical skills and tips to manage busy lives. She is a speaker, author, and media guest expert appearing on TV, radio, and in national magazines for her popular books Simplify Your Life, Simplify Your Time, and Simplify Your Holidays (Thomas Nelson). Visit her website, www.organizingpro.com for free tips.
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