All I want for Christmas!

So it’s the time of the year when you have to shake, rattle & roll - shake your head wondering what to buy loved ones for Christmas, rattle your wallet hoping there’s enough in it and roll heads battling with others all trying to get that perfect gift.

Well, ok granted, it need not be as cumbersome as all that.

Here are TVIMH’s tips on making Christmas Gift Shopping easy!

(01) Make a list of people you actually need to give gifts to. I know it sounds basic but sometimes when you’re caught up in the season with a hundred other things to do, you maybe happy to find time to shop at all & being out shopping is not the time to start thinking of how many people you need to buy gifts for.

(02) Budget, budget, budget!! Or else!!! I suggest in your list next to each persons name, write an approximate figure (or range) of how much you can afford to spend (not how much you’d like to) on that person.

When you’re done with individual amounts, make sure you add the total and see if you really have that amount with you - if not, start again & propotionately balance out the amounts.

(03) Tackle each one separately - don’t decide to just get into a department store & buy everyone’s gifts at one place. Do your research first to ensure everyone loves your gift. Write down what you think the person would like - and see if it fits your budget.

$$ If you’re not sure what a person wants, call the person and subtly see if you can find out what the person’s wants. 9 out of 10 people will more likely than not be enthusiatic about things they like. For example if you talk about books with a book lover, you’ll see the exciment in their voice and you’ll probably easily be able to get out from them who their favorite authors are too. But remember, be subtle, surprises are always better.

$$ If you can’t speak directly with the person - or if they’re too smart for you - find out from a family member or another friend if they know anything the person would like.

$$ If you’re buying gifts for a couple together then try and make it a gift they’d both like. Find out if there are any activities they enjoy together and buy something to do with that.

$$ If you’re buying gifts for a set of friends, try and make sure the value of the gifts don’t differ too much as they’ll probably compare gifts if not open them out all at once anyway.

$$ If you’re totally lost at what to get someone, then try these:
* Gift vouchers (but can be tricky in terms of how much money you put in these)
* Classics like picture frames & food baskets (can’t go wrong with these, imo!) Most big stores will have lots of these junta gifts on display - and if you already have a budget next to someone’s name, you can just pick out a suitable gift.
* Donate in the person’s name to a charity and gift the person the receipts.

(04) Be Early! - If you’re like me, you don’t like crowds and you sure as heck do NOT like standing in long queues. The answer would be to shop early in the season (now’s a great time!) or do so during weekdays if you’re able. If you’re early in the season, you’ll not feel so harrowed you’ll want to shoot yourself in the head (!!!) as seen in the hilarious toon above!

(05) It’s all about the wrapping of gifts: I believe half the fun of getting gifts is wondering what they’re all about! So make sure you wrap those gifts well so that it’s not obvious what they are. I sometimes do silly things like add rocks in my gifts to make the shape all wonky, but don’t try that if you’re gifting fragile objects!

Also try turning the gift into a bon-bon. It’s a great way to wrap ties (oh, what a boring gift though!), T-shirts and other soft items.

(06) Tag your gifts properly. This is specially if you have a lot of gifts and you’re using the same/similar wrapping paper. Also make sure you write the From name as clearly as the To name so that the person doesn’t wonder who the gift is from (this is specially for families who put all their gifts under the tree together).

(07) Keep / Make gift giving rituals - Rituals of gift giving can be great fun for the entire family. In my family, we all actually all gather together in whichever one of the family homes we’re having Christmas lunch in & all dump the gifts under the tree. Then at an appointed time, there is a “Santa” chosen who goes to the base of the tree & distributes the gifts to everyone. Usually the oldest of the family is given this honor, but in my family we randomly choose a different person every year. Last year I got the job & made everyone sing a carol right after I called out their name before handing over their gift Made ‘em earn their gifts, lol

(08) Last but not least remember it’s the thought that counts!!!. If you can’t afford to spend a lot/any money on gifts, then perhaps you can:
make a special card (all kids should be encouraged to do this!)
frame a photo of the two of you
write a letter to the person telling him/her what he/she means to you.

These gifts from the heart are honestly the best gifts of all.