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With less than 15 days until Hanukkah and less than 50 shopping days until Christmas, it is safe to say that it is time to start working on crossing names off your holiday gift list. While holiday shopping can be overwhelming if you wait until the last minute, I have 3 tips to help you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, with time and money to spare!
Start a list- I am definitely the queen of lists. I write down everything from my daily to do list and grocery list and blog topics and gift ideas. Through out the year there are two holiday related lists that I keep in my phone and continually update, a wish list and a gift idea list. Then, around the holidays I draft a holiday gift list.
My Wish List– Ever since I was little my family always asked for a wish list for my birthday and Christmas, I used to create the list by looking through catalogs and magazines and staring the latest, hippest toys. However, over the past few years I have come up with a much better system so that I am only asking for things that I really want and need, not just the latest, hippest accessory I saw, although let’s be honest that usually ends up on the list as well. Throughout the year I keep a list of things I want and need and continue to update and trim the list until I land on a final list! I think this works great because I ask for things I know I really want (after all some of them have been on there for more than six months), plus, my family appreciates a little direction and a well thought out list.
Gift Ideas- I love shopping for gifts for other people, especially when I find something that someone is going to love. But sometimes my thoughtfulness and creativity can begin to dry up over the holidays. That’s why I keep a list in my phone year round with notes of things my loved ones have said they really liked or would love to do! My little brother says he really wants to go to a baseball game– it goes on the list. J mentions he would love a subscription to Boston Magazine– it’s on the list. Mom comments that she really needs a pair of new boots– you guessed it! I can’t remember what little Suzie said she wanted in March on my own, so come the holidays (or a birthday) I take out my list.
Holiday Gifts- Now comes the hard part, kind of. Come November I begin making a list of all the people I want to give a gift to. I include everyone’s names, including any parties (so that I can pick up a hostess gift) and any gift swaps I plan on attending. Then I go through my gift idea list and match up the people with one of my ideas. If I didn’t make a note I do a little brainstorming and look through a few gift guides for inspiration.
Shop sales- There are so many sales and promotions going on during the holiday, it is easy to loose track of what you actually need and what is just a good deal. Luckily, now you have a list and with a little planning you can plan out what sales to shop to get great gifts at a good price, and which sales you can avoid. And don’t forget, sometimes you don’t even need a sale, stores like TJ Maxx and HomeGoods offer great prices on designer names year round, so shop smart!
Stay local- With the start of Small Business Saturday a few years back, shopping local has become more and more of a trend for people looking to support their local businesses and find unique, one of a kind pieces for their loved ones. So skip the stress of Black Friday, sleep off the turkey and enjoy that late morning latte.
Congratulations, you are now armed with everything you need to know to be the ultimate gift giver! Happy Shopping!