Tips for organized and efficient gift shopping

It’s the season of giving, and we know all too well how overwhelming gift shopping can get during this time of year. Whether you’re buying presents for your spouse, kiddos, or friends, don’t let the stress of this busy season get the best of you. Here are some tips to keep in mind when holiday shopping to give you some peace of mind this year.

Budgeting

Sometimes we get a little ahead of ourselves and go over budget when shopping for gifts. I get it – it’s fun to buy things for people you love! With that said, it’s important to have a gift budget planned before you even start shopping – take a look at where you’re standing financially, and determine how much you can realistically allocate towards gifts this year. This will hold you accountable and keep things a little more organized.

Once you have your total gift budget set, break it down into categories. Think about who you’ll be purchasing gifts for (i.e. family, teachers, coworkers, friends) and assign a specific amount of money to each category. Then, when it comes time to actually shop, track your expenses! This will help you hold yourself to these numbers, which is crucial when it comes to  holiday shopping! Note that you can always use a price comparison tool to help you find the best deals and stretch that budget as far as it can go!

Something that often gets overlooked when the holiday season rolls around is hidden costs. I suggest adding the cost of wrapping paper, cards, shipping, etc. included when mapping out that gift budget. 

Making lists

Staying organized is so much easier when lists are involved. When it comes to gift shopping, the best list you can create is one with the name of everyone you plan to shop for and add to that list year–round. So, when you’re having that conversation with your coworker about the new restaurant in town or when your sister casually mentions her love for a new brand, jot those ideas down. When holiday shopping comes around, you can simply use this list as a guide! This makes gift planning and shopping significantly more efficient – and who doesn’t want that?!

Now, this list also helps you prioritize where your gift budget is going. Consider which people are of higher “gifting priority” and consider allocating more of your budget towards their gifts. And of course, in order to maintain a less stressful shopping experience, be sure to continuously update your list as you make decisions and purchases. For example, cross off the names that you have already purchased gifts for, or nix a gift idea if you see yourself going over budget.

Learn the art of making lists in my course, To-Do List Mastery.

This is my absolute favorite time of year, and now that I have gift buying down to a science, it makes it that much easier to truly enjoy. With that said, I wish you luck this gift-giving season, and don’t forget to keep these tips in mind to make the next few months a little bit easier.

Want more holiday organization and productivity tips? Follow my Instagram and Facebook page where I’m posting all things holiday this month!

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