So we made it through finals, we busted winter break boredom, but now Christmas is right around the corner. Let's be real, Not only have we been too busy to think about gift giving, we're functionally broke. Christmas is coming, whether we're prepared or not. So here's a crash course on how to not only survive, but to totally knock gift giving out of the park this year!
1. Budget. OK, take a deep breath, brace yourself, and look at your bank account. This potentially the scariest and hardest part. Lord knows how many boxes of easy mac you bought this semester, but there is probably a significant dent from a semester's worth of living. Decide how much of what you have left you're willing to commit to buying presents. Think about expenses you have coming up, paychecks you have coming, stuff like that. Come up with a pretty solid number and commit to it. Mentally kiss that cash good bye.
2. Nice List. Now we have to figure out who we're going to spend that budget on. Personally, I start with family and work my way out. Keep your budget in mind and make a list of all the family, friends and pets you're planning on buying for. You might also want to make something of an extras list, a few people that if you have money left over, you would like to get a little something, but that aren't a necessity.
3. Brainstorm. Take down some ideas about what each person on your list might like. For some people you'll know exactly what they would like, and some might take a little more thought. If your stuck or having trouble list some things you know they like. Use those interests to narrow down things they would like. Try and get at least a general idea for each person on your list.
4. Pre-shopping. Once you've got a general Idea of what you're getting, pull out your budget and a calculator. Start with the items you know for sure. Look online to decide what you're getting exactly, and how much it's going to cost. Be sure not to forget shipping when you're doing the math here. Look for sales, and try and choose the most cost effective option. Once that's set, divide up the rest among who you have left based on what you brainstormed. This might take some monkeying around with, but a budget for each person will help with shopping.
5. Decisions. Set in stone-ish as many gifts as possible. The internet is a glorious place. Online shopping is the BEST for price comparison and purchasing with minimal effort. you can also find gift guides which are AMAZING. These have all kinds of things I sometimes didn't even know existed. Decide, pick, and choose as much as you can. You may end up with a cousin or two that you just have no idea on, but give it your best shot.
6. Shop. Like I've said before, all hail the internet. Get things on sale, find coupons on Retailmenot.com, free shipping etc. Depending on when you start though, make sure you look at how long shipping will take. You may end up needing to get some things in store, but ordering as much as you can online cuts down on how much time you have to spend running around town looking for that pair of earrings. And how much you have to interact with other crazy holiday shoppers.
7. Stragglers. So you've gotten all the gifts you can come up with and you may be missing some, or low on budget. Those gift guides are seriously bomb. There are all kinds of lists out there. Buzzfeed is my favorite. Here are just a few of the gazillion they have on their site. Affordable Tech, DIY, gifts for people who need to get their shit together. DIYs are also a great way to go, pretty cheap, fun and very personal.
8. Don't forget yourself! You just put so much thought. love and intentionality into gifts for your friends and family, if you wind up with left over cash, or even if you don't, treat yourself. Buy yourself a little something! Appreciate, love and be intentional with yourself! This last gift guide is just the ticket.
Enjoy the Holidays, enjoy giving, enjoy time with friends and family. Christmas may not be all about presents, but I feel like it's one way to serve the people you love. How ever you do it, make them feel loved and appreciated!
PS Here's an article of places you still have time to order online from!
Happy Holidays dudes.
