Does the vast number of presents that you feel pressured to buy at Christmas threaten to overwhelm you?
Is there really a way to make Christmas shopping easier?
In Christmas’ past, we had four kids and multiple extended family members for which we purchased gifts. Present day; in addition to those same (adult) kids, we are fortunate enough to have added spouses and grandchildren to the mix. And of course, we still purchase for various extended family members and some friends.
As a non-shopper, those numbers can quickly send me into panic mode.
While it is important to me that all those I love and care about enjoy the gifts we purchase, it is equally important that I hang on to my sanity during the gift buying process.
I love “systems” and a few years ago I discovered a system that, at least for me, makes Christmas shopping much easier.
I decide, before the shopping begins, the set number of gifts that each person will receive.
One person, one gift is easy.
However, for many people on our lists, especially our children and grandchildren, it is highly likely that many of us will be purchasing more than one gift.
I am a numbers person. For me, numbers are concrete.
A set number of gifts per person brings automatic tangible boundaries.
While it’s easy to sail past the very intangible budget threshold for “just one more gift”, a set number of gifts provides a solid stopping point.
When you consult your Christmas shopping list, you can easily see if you have the predetermined number of gifts or if you need to make additional purchases (or make a return 😊)
Easy and simple; two words I never used to associate with Christmas shopping.
This works for filling stockings as well.
Stocking stuffers are my downfall. Currently I fill fourteen stockings. (Yep, you read that right, fourteen!) While I honestly enjoy the process of stuffing stockings, I can quickly end up with way too much for one stocking and virtually nothing in another.
Having a predetermined number of items that I intend to buy for each stocking solves that problem.
(As an aside solution: Due to the number of stockings that I fill, I no longer use actual stockings. Instead at the end of every season, I purchase gift bags to be used for stockings the following year.
If you are currently asking; how many gifts per person or per child? I can’t answer that.
The number of gifts per person has to be a very individual decision.
I will point out that if you believe that the number of gifts you put under the tree is a demonstration of the love in your heart, you will never have enough.
So as this season quickly approaches, make a promise to yourself to put in place some ideas and solutions that can reduce the Christmas stress.
Hopefully, setting a predetermined number of gifts per person is one of those solutions.
Merry, early, Christmas!
updated 12/08/2023
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