Be a Great Gift Giver this Holiday Season!

Happy Holidays everyone!  This is my favorite time of year for communal cheer.  When else do you have a built in greeting for strangers?  Happy summer?  Nope.  Happy Holidays! 

Another reason I love the season so much: lists!  There are gift lists and menu planning lists and wish lists!  If you’re like me, most of these lists are dwindled down to their bitter end so you are fully prepared.  If you’re not like me, I’m here to help!

It is easy to be overwhelmed this time of year because many people view it as a time for obligations, not opportunities to show people you care.  The truth is, all anyone wants is a little bit of you this winter—not presents or the perfect soufflé! So before you get stressed out, remember that first, it is a time of loving, sharing, and remembering what is most important: the people we care about and rarely get to see.

Once you realize there is less pressure than you thought, get those lists going! Take a moment to sit down and make a master list of all the gifts that you have to give in order of who you are seeing first.  Get your whole family involved in case your spouse needs gifts for people you didn’t think of or if your child wants to give their teacher something special. 

Next, prioritize.  Most people can’t get all their shopping done in one day, but it also doesn’t make sense to go shopping for people you’re not seeing until the New Year if you have a get together with someone else on Thursday. Put them at the top of the list, then list all the rest of the people you will be giving gifts to at your holiday get together, and so on down the line.

The great thing about today is we have the internet at our fingertips.  So before you battle the malls with the masses, do some research online first.  This way you can go to fewer stores when you’re out shopping.  Bring your list with you so in case you get inspired for one of your other recipients, you can mark them right off your list and get them that perfect gift that you didn’t know existed.

Any other people in your life whom you want to show a little appreciation for but don’t have the extra money to spend?  This is when gifts from the heart come in handy.  Are you a great baker?  Make cookies to spread some cheer to your neighbors or to accompany a bottle of wine when you go to your friend’s for dinner. 

Remember, in the end, it’s about spending time together to celebrate the end of a great year before we welcome in the next.  So even if you burn those cookies, at least you’ll have each other—and a bottle of wine!

xo ~ Christina

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