Getting over the Christmas Present Slump

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

That means it’s time for Christmas shopping!

To be honest, I’ve struggled for years to come up with creative gift ideas. We all want our presents to be meaningful or useful, but the last thing we want is for our gifts to be tossed aside or regifted. And let’s face it, we don’t want to rely solely on gift cards.

We certainly don’t want our Christmas gifts to resemble the white elephant surprises we’ve received in the past.

This year, I decided to challenge myself!

It’s only December 4th, and I’m almost done with my shopping! Here’s how I did it:

Remember, gifts aren’t just about spending money!

Gifts can also include TIME and TALENTS.

If you’re unsure what to give:

- Consider their passions.

- Think about how they spend their time.

- Reflect on what they truly value.

For instance, I always find it challenging to choose a gift for my dad beyond an Academy gift card. This year, I’m giving him a coupon for a day trip to a Texas town because he really values family time, and my schedule tends to be quite busy. That’s the GIFT OF TIME.

My nieces are redecorating their rooms and love gift cards. Instead of just giving them cash, I’m providing a coupon for a shopping spree (with a set budget) for their room decor. That combines TIME & MONEY.

One of the most meaningful gifts I’ve received in recent years was simply a jar filled with individual encouraging handwritten notes for each day in January. It cost around $5 but took a lot of thought and time. It truly stood out as one of the best gifts.

I hope this inspires you to remember that you don’t have to spend a fortune to show your friends and family that you care.

Don’t let the stress of finding the perfect gift dampen your joy of giving!