Hey, hey! This does not have to be hard. Thankfully, I am here. Start from the top, and work your way down.
Follow these rules:
1. MAKING A LIST is easy and will help you organize who gets a gift, who needs what, and how many more to go. Make sure that you collect wishlists from people too.
2. SPLURGING is for the balers, not the financially fit. Try to avoid buying things on impulse, things that are "popular," and do not let the sales persons in the stores woo you with their sales magic. This is why it is a good idea to start that list that we talked about, eh?
3. DIY-ing is always the most creative and least expensive way to go. There are a lot of things that you can make yourself with the help of happy crafty people on YouTube, Pinterest, in crafting magazines, and on blogs. If you don't know what you want to make, look at the idea menu next.
4. SAVING should be the #1 rule in a shopaholic's little pink book. Search for deals, price match, and compare stores. Around this time of year, a lot of stores offer coupons, discount codes, and free gifts enticing you to shop with them. I like feeling rewarded for spending my money, so I take advantage of these offers. Do not settle on a price before you look at other stores for the same item and calculate your savings with coupons, or consider the usefulness and quality of any free gifts that you get with your purchase.
5. GIFTING at this time of the year might be a little played-out for you, and you gift just because. NO, no, no! Take notes on your friends, family, kids, neighbors, co-workers, and the darling. Think about things that they need, that they really want but just can't or won't get for themselves. Think about things that will add sentimental value to your relationship with them. As always, gifts do not have to be a material things. Gifts can be edible items, memorable experiences, and intangible goods.
6. PUT A MAX PRICE tag on all of the gifts that you will give. There might be a handful of people that you will gift to, and before you know it you have broken the bank. Last year I got a box of cute little makeup bags, and I filled them up with nail polish and small beauty accessories for my female co-workers. All of the bags and the content in the bags had designs and colors that fit their individual personalities, and that is how I knew who gets what bag. $10 and under won't put a tear in your Vince Camuto wallet.
5 Ideas to help you choose a gift to give:
1. Jewelry. This is for the mini Coco Chanels, or the people that love glam, glitz, and classic style.
- Beaded bracelet for her, or best friend
- Watch for him, or dad
- Earrings for mom, or baby
Easy to make. Here are several options: iSpyDIY, HonestlyWTF, RagsToCouture MissKris, The ThriftinessMiss
2. Throw Pillows. This is for the homey, decorator, or decor enthusiast.
- Glam textures for her, or best friend
- Leather, faux fur, or solid colors for him, or dad
- Chic pattern for mom, or nursery prints for baby
3. Bar Accessories. This is for the cook, lover of kitchen gadgets, the dinner party host, or the barista.
- Bottle opener and ice bucket for her, or best friend
- Beverage glass sets for him, or dad
- Serving trays and eatery for mom, or new baby bottles and sip-cups for baby
May not be able to make. Here are several options: Thrift it, T.J. Max it, or clearance-rack it.
4. Wall Art. This is for the art lover, the creative thinker, or the minimalist.
- Painted art for her, or best friend
- Keepsakes and and portraits for him, or dad
- Fabric or 3D art for mom, or printed animal pictures for baby
Easy to make. Here are several options: TheEmbellishedNest, TheSmallThingsBlog, SecretsOfAModernMama, Shanty2Chic
5. Candles. This is for the mood setter, the decorator, the energy saver, or the aroma enthusiast.
- Glam candles and jars for her, or best friend
- Desk and table-top candle holders for him, or dad
- Hanging lanterns or wall mounts for mom, or night light for baby
Easy to make. Here are several options: FamilyChic, LessonsLearntJournal, GaddingGal, DesignSponge, MonicaWantsIt
