With the end to another eventful year comes the festive season, a period that -albeit wonderful- often comes hand in hand with a frenzied, frantic and last minute present purchasing rush.
To combat any gift related meltdowns this holiday season, get on top of your gift list for friends and family as early as possible by following our handy 6 Christmas Gift Organization Hacks.
1) Gift Something Sentimental
Sentimental gifts are without the faintest of doubts, the superior gift.
If you’ve known someone since childhood, take a trip down memory lane by fashioning them a ‘memory box’ filled to the brim with nostalgic items inducing bits and pieces from their childhood and your early days of friendship.
Think old pop star posters circa 2004 that you’ve kept in your attic for purely nostalgic purposes (or make them what truly is the mixtape equivalent of today - a personally curated Spotify playlist of childhood hits), your friend’s old favourite candy, and old pictures.
2) Make a List (And Check It Twice) To Ensure Nobody Misses Out
In order to avoid the December lunch catchup where it dawns on you -precisely as they are reaching into the depths of their bag to retrieve your present- that it slipped your mind to get your friend something for Christmas, pen a list of everyone you need to account for in the gift giving department these holidays.
Be it your best friend, hairdresser or mail man - note their name down as a reminder when you (finally) tackle the stores for Christmas shopping. This way -whether it be the new iPhone or a batch of freshly baked cookies- every suitable gift receiver in your life will be accounted for, holding any awkward I-left-your-present-at-home-by-accident cop outs at bay.
Ensure nobody misses out by writing a list of all you gift receivers in advance.
3) Stick to a Budget
It’s astoundingly easy to get carried away in the present purchasing process, thus in effort to avoid squandering every last cent of your hard earned cash this Christmas season, outline- and religiously stick- to a gift purchasing budget.
Keep in mind too, that not every gift needs to cost an arm and a leg, tying into our next tip.
4) It’s the Thought That Counts
In full acknowledgement of the cheesiness of this statement, it truly is the thought that counts, and gifting an inexpensive -even handmade- present does not in any way devalue its worth.
In fact, the opposite often pertains; a sentimental gift signals to the recipient that you care for them and brings infinitely more joy than a generic, obligatory present.
Presents don’t need to cost an arm and leg - give your loved ones something handmade and sentimental instead.
5) Gift An Experience
While mass consumerism flourishes during the Christmas season (with every store seemingly stocking the perfect technological device or item of clothing for our gift recipient), science tells us that it’s memorable experiences that promote long lasting joy, compared to the -albeit still enjoyable- short lived joy of materialistic things.
For a truly memorable present, ditch the cashmere sweater for an experience they’ll remember years to come instead - if a mysterious food walk or all inclusive picnic with friends sounds up your loved one’s alley, check out AmazingCo’s adventures here.
Gift your loved ones with an experience, rather than a thing.
6) If All Else Fails, Get Them What They Want
As tempting as it can be to devise the perfect, meticulously thought out gift idea for someone, sometimes the inspiration simply does not strike.
Instead of giving them what you think they’ll like, keep things straightforward (and successful) by asking them what they actually want.
While this may initially seem like a cop out, if the recipient feels comfortable outright stating that they’d like a Netflix family subscription, buy them the Netflix family subscription - this way they’ll be getting what they want, and your elaborate, time consuming yet unwanted gift won’t fall short.
And there you have it - our 6 Christmas Gift Organization Hacks for a stress free gifting season!
