Are you new to Christmas traditions or will this year be your first year buying gifts? Look no further than here for advice because we’ll be providing a short Christmas gift giving guide for the rookies out there.
1. Asking for Lists
If you already know what your friends or family want or would like this year, perfect. No need to read a short Christmas gift giving guide.
But if you’re like most people, you won’t have something exact in mind or you might be shopping for someone who’s hard to figure out.
Avoid the hassle or an awkward gifting situation by asking for Christmas lists. It’s customary for people to provide them and it will give you a variety of gift ideas to work with.
2. Budgeting
When you’re buying for friends, family and significant others the costs of Christmas can add up quick.
This doesn’t mean that Christmas has to break the bank, however. A big tip on this short Christmas gift giving guide is to set a price point and stick to it.
This will ensure you evenly distribute your funds and prevent some awkward moments on Christmas day. It can be a bit rude if you obviously spent more on one family member than another, for example.
3. Making vs Buying
Another tip for being frugal is also one that can really show someone you care. Consider making the gift yourself rather than buying it.
A gift that shows you invested time, effort and consideration will have a lot more meaning to it than a gift you just picked off the shelf.
If you go out and handmake a coffee mug for your mom, I can almost guarantee it will be her new favorite mug in the house.
4. Early Shopping
This tip is another big one our short Christmas gift giving guide. Try to get your shopping done as early as you can.
The longer you wait until Christmas day the more likely things are to go wrong. Some items might be out of stock and shopping can turn into a crowded nightmare as Christmas approaches.
Early shopping is especially important if you’re buying anything online. Delivery by mail is already slow but it’s even slower during the holiday season.
Even if you pay for something like two-day shipping you should assume your gift will arrive late.
5. Communicating
Last on our short Christmas gift giving guide is to communicate with anyone you might get a gift for.
Surprising someone with a gift can be fun but it can also lead them to feel guilty or awkward if they didn’t get you something as well.
Confirming a price range and that you’ll be exchanging gifts isn’t rude it’s just a healthy communication practice.
And when discussing the topic, don’t be afraid to agree on skipping gifts entirely. Afterall, Christmas at its core isn’t about spending money on presents, it’s about spending time with the people you care about.
