Stress-free Holiday Shopping
By Jan Udlock

The holidays are here once again and so is your opportunity to make special memories for you and your family. This time of year is meant to be enjoyed and yet gift shopping can be a burden for some families. Here are some easy steps you can take to ensure that you and your family enjoy shopping a little bit more.

Plan, Plan, Plan

Planning is essential in getting organized for the holidays. Make a list of all the people you need to purchase a gift for. Decide if it is going to be a store-bought gift or home-made one. Think about the different stores in your community or if the gift can be bought through a catalog and shipped directly to the recipient's house. If your kids are old enough, involve them with the gift selection ideas. Sometimes children come up with amazing thoughtful gift ideas for a family member or friend.

Next, evaluate your budget. It’s easy to get carried away with the season and overspend your budget. One approach that works for many families is to place cash in an envelope for specific gifts and that is all you can spend. You won’t have the headache or the stress come January 2nd when the credit card bills come rolling in. As a parent you are also showing your kids healthy financial responsibility.

Think About the Person

Sometimes when you get too focused on accomplishing your “to do” list you forget about the person you’re buying a gift for. Think about the person and about what he likes. What hobbies does he have? Does he have a favorite store?

What about the family member who lives in another state and you honestly don’t have any idea what type of gift she’d like? Gifts like holiday wreaths or bouquets with candles sent in the first week of December can be a different touch. You can purchase an animal, or food for a family, through a humanitarian organization in the name of the family.

Check around your neighborhood for unique stores or boutiques or small businesses. Sometimes it’s the uncommon gift that will be significant to a friend or family member.

Trade Babysitting

If you do not want to bring your child or children along when shopping, arrange with a close friend to trade babysitting. This is also a great time to ask grandparents to watch your children. You can provide a small Christmas project for them to work on while visiting.

If your children are going to accompany you with shopping, make sure you bring along snacks and everybody’s had an opportunity to visit the restroom before you start out. Kids feel your excitement or anxiety, so while in the car talk about Christmas or holiday memories you had when you were their age.

Be Rested and Full

Feeling rested is not always easy during the holidays, but when you feel fresh you are likely to enjoy shopping. Make sure that you have a full  stomach or that you’ve eaten something light before you go out. This will help you make good choices and you are less likely to spend your Christmas budget on fast foods. Healthy snacks in your purse or diaper bag are helpful for everyone.

Don’t Compare

Often when we are choosing gifts for family members we compare what they have given to us in the past. Maybe another family member has more disposable income than your family does. Don’t allow that to dampen your spirit of choosing the right gift for them.

Sense of Humor

Along with all the holidays come expectations we have of what the perfect Christmas should look like. Movies, magazines, and books illustrate the holidays as the entire family gets along, or you can eat rich desserts and NOT gain the pounds. Yet, if you stop and evaluate your holiday expectations honestly it will help your stress level. Remember to bring along your sense of humor.
 
Gift Certificates

Gift certificates may not suit everyone but some people may like to pick out their own gift. If you’re a “gift certificate kind of person" but the person you’re buying for is not, then take the extra time to buy her the gift she will appreciate. Gift certificates to book stores or a coffee shop are fun to get. Any teen or college-age kid would love a bank gift card that can be used like a gift certificate at any store that takes the bank credit card.

Slow Down and Breathe

Remind yourself when you’re driving in a parking lot that shoppers are not particularly paying attention; their minds are on the many errands that need to be run. Extend patience to shoppers who step out in front of you. 

Have an arsenal of last minute gifts in case the neighbor down the street drops by an unexpected gift. Candles, fancy hand soaps or lotion, candy or flavored popcorn are simple gifts you can keep on hand.

Remember that this time of year is always stressful for everyone. With a little planning and a few deep breaths you and family will have a special holiday.  

Bio: Jan Udlock is a freelance writer and mom of 5. She needs to remember to slow down a little more and enjoy the holidays.