Things can get pretty hectic around the festive season. There’s so much to do, buy, wrap, and deliver, and the parties, office gatherings, and get-togethers take up even more time! That doesn’t even account for the time you need to spend with family and friends. With so much stuff you need to do, it can be easy to overlook Christmas shopping, but with the tips below, things should be a little easier.
Dos When Gift Giving
Do listen to what people want and need throughout the year.
To do this, you need to be organised. You can buy items as and when they say they want something, but this runs the risk of them getting the items themselves before you reach Christmas. The last thing you want is to buy someone an expensive fragrance in March, only for them to buy it 6 months later before Christmas arrives and after you can return the item. Instead, write things down as and when they mention something, and if they still haven’t bought it themselves by the end of November, go ahead and buy it. This way, they’ll just be impressed that you remembered something from 9 months ago!
Do shop for their tastes, not yours.
Shopping for presents for someone you don’t know very well can be tricky. However, it’s important to find out as much as you can about the recipient so that you have a better understanding of what they would like. People tend to have a habit of buying gifts they like themselves, but your own preferences might be wildly different to theirs. Imagine being a vegan and being given a stuffed animal by a taxidermist – it’s not going to go down well. For occasions when you’re unsure of the recipient’s tastes, aromatic candles can make a thoughtful and versatile gift. Customized candles, like the ones available at Kindred Fires, can allow you to select scents and designs tailored to the celebration. You can also customize it to the person’s known preferences, increasing the chances of your gift being well-received and appreciated.
Do ask parents what to buy their children.
Money is often tight around Christmas time, which means parents can’t always get their kids everything they want. If you’re buying gifts for someone else’s kids, consult with the parents first. The last thing you want to do is buy something the parents couldn’t afford and embarrass them. Instead, ask parents what their kids are asking for and be sure to buy age-appropriate gifts. If you do your homework, you’ll avoid buying the children any of those things that end up gathering dust.
Do buy a unique version of something practical.
The average person doesn’t own many unique items. Most of our daily items are the same as everyone else’s, and most people don’t have a huge collection of things. Unique gifts are hard to find, but they’re that extra little bit more special. From the person that already has everything to the person who is hard to please, generic presents are always disappointing, so try to get something unique, even if it means customising or making something yourself.
Do give donations and gifts to those in need.
Supporting and giving to the needy during Christmas can make a real difference, changing lives and bringing positive impacts to communities in need. Whether you support local initiatives, global humanitarian efforts, or causes close to your heart, your contributions can make a real difference. You can consider donating warm clothing and other winter essentials to nonprofit organizations, helping needy families to stay warm during the harsh cold months. Moreover, if you prefer to donate money, online services like venmo for nonprofits fees can make it easy to transfer your funds securely. Furthermore, you can also volunteer at local food banks and soup kitchens so that everyone has a warm meal to enjoy, spreading holiday cheer and kindness during Christmas.
Don’ts When Gift Giving
Don’t buy gift cards to places where they don’t shop.
When gift shopping, don’t buy gift cards to places they don’t shop. You risk wasting your money if the gift card recipient doesn’t shop at the gift card retailer. To avoid this, buy gift cards for stores and restaurants that they actually like to shop or eat at. If you really don’t know what retailers and restaurants they like, buy a gift card for a department store where they can find a variety of things they might like.
Don’t give out lottery tickets.
When you give gifts, you want to be thoughtful and considerate of the other person. A lottery ticket is anything but. In all likelihood, they won’t have the winning ticket, so ultimately, you’ll have wasted your money. Whilst any amount of money spent on a person should be appreciated, your money is better spent elsewhere on a more meaningful and thoughtful gift. If you have money to spare for buying a lottery ticket, buy yourself one and if you do happen to win, you can always shower your gift recipient with millions later!
Don’t bother with knick-knacks.
Don’t give knick-knacks. Why? Knick knacks are fun, but they will just get placed on shelves, then forgotten. They bring no joy, nothing but clutter, and very little thought. These simple little items are easy to come by but hard to give-they won’t make someone’s day. Some knick-knacks, such as figurines or decorative boxes, are okay to give, but stick with things that are useful, such as coffee mugs, candles, or cheese boards and platters.
The holiday season is upon us, and while you want to do everything you can to make this the best holiday season ever, it’s important to remember the best gifts are the ones that are given for the right reasons.