Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Gifting

The Holiday season is also the gifting season!

It usually comes with stress and headache too.

Here are some tips to make Holiday gifting fun and stress-free!

1. Start Planning 6 to 12 months Ahead

If you can, plan your next Holiday gifting right after the current Holiday season.

We suggest reading this 1-minute article before proceeding with Tip #2.

2. Make a List of Gift Recipients

List all the people you have gifted and plan to gift the next Holiday season.

After their name, write their profession or occupation. If they are kids, write their age.

It's okay if you can't complete this list. You can always add and remove people from the list.

3. Set Your Holiday Gift Budget

One of the sources of stress during the Holiday season is budget.

If you start to plan your budget ahead of time, then you'll already taking out half the stress when the actual season comes.

First, put an estimated amount before the person's name in your List of Gift Recipients.

Second, calculate the total amount.

Third, decide how much of your income you're willing to set aside to reach your budget goal.

You can choose to put 1-5% of your salary every payday or every month.

You are free to play around the budget as much as you like.

4. Think of Interests

We're not talking about money interests here, but rather the likes and dislikes of the gift recipients.

On your list, write what you already know about them - one to two likes and dislikes will be enough.

5. To Buy or to DIY

If you are starting early, you can DIY your gift. You can also buy online to avoid stressful shopping later on. Also, you can return and exchange wrong or damaged items.

6. Targeted Gift Search

Immediately exclude anything related to their dislikes. Narrow search around their likes.

For example, if they like coffee, consider a coffee mug or or an exotic coffee bean. If they like traveling, consider what a traveler might need like portable charger or multipurpose wallet.

Enjoy the Holidays!