The Holidays are just around the corner and we can already feel the joy in the air. There is so much to prepare: recipes to cook, decorations for the house, and of course, gifts for our loved ones.
With so many things to get done, planning has never been more important. Fortunately, we are here to guide you through holiday gifting and provide you with tips, ideas and inspiration to bring joy and happiness to your family and friends.
Plan Ahead of Time
Instead of waiting for the stores to get packed or the options to get limited, take advantage of the special deals available in the weeks leading up to the holidays, especially Thanksgiving.
Consumer Reports provides a fantastic guide for holiday shopping, with product reviews and prices. Here, you will be able to navigate through the most popular items (electronics, home decor, clothing, tools) and find the perfect gifts for your family and friends.
Prioritize
Save the big items for your closest friends and family and set a cost limit on your gifts to your extended family, secondary friend circle and favorite coworkers. Setting these boundaries can take a big weight off your shoulders (and bank account) while still letting you be generous to the people in your life.
Remember, you can never go wrong with personalized gifts, subscription services and/or experiential gifts. These thoughtful options will surely make the holidays special and memorable.
Always Compare
It seems like holiday shopping and impulsive buying go together like bread and butter, but we should try to tighten our financial belts as well as our physical belts this season. Buying out of impulse leads to poor decisions and makes shopping more expensive than it needs to be.
Before making a purchase, check out other retailers and online marketplaces — maybe you can find the same item for less at a different store, or even on eBay. Using comparison shopping engines (CSEs) will help you make more sensible decisions easily. Google Shopping is a powerful tool that lets you compare prices among online retailers, so you can get the best deal available all the time. PriceGrabber and Shopping.com are also very popular choices available online.
Price Tracking
Never miss a great deal again! If shopping online is your thing, price tracking websites, mobile apps and extensions will save you lots of time and money, since they will do all the monitoring for you.
Most of the time, you just have to submit the URL of the item you want, or even just scan the barcode if you’re at a brick and mortar store. You can set the notifications on so you can get alerts on any price fluctuations that might happen during the time period of your choice.
Check out Visualping, Scanlife and ShopSavvy to help you always stay on top of deals.
Use Your Hands – And Your Creativity!
We all know that opening gifts that are underneath the tree is one of the most joyful parts of the holiday season and what better way to surprise your loved ones than with a personalized gift made by you.
Whether you’re a pro at arts and crafts or just starting out, there are plenty of options to explore. Knitted items like scarves and beanies, customized picture frames, or even homemade treats can give the holidays a special touch.
If crafting feels overwhelming, you can still get creative with your gift wrapping. Use recycled materials like old newspapers or fabric scraps for a unique flair and add personal notes to enhance the experience. Take a look at Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram for handcrafted holiday gift ideas, you’ll be surprised and inspired!
Love Always Wins
The truth is, gifting during the holidays should be a joyful experience, not a stressful one. With thoughtful planning and a bit of creativity, you can truly enjoy these special moments. Remember, the most important thing is spending quality time with your loved ones. In the end, that connection is the best gift of all. Embrace the season, share your love, and make lasting memories together!
DISCLAIMER – This content is for informational purposes only. Pangea and its affiliates do not provide financial, legal, investment or tax advice
