christmas gifts Archives - Christmas Bliss

Are you in a gift-giving rut? Need new gift giving ideas? If you consistently buy one type of gift for someone (clothes or books, for instance), it may be time for a change. Break your predictable Christmas gift-giving habits by developing new gift ideas this Christmas season.

Think Creatively

Time and cost factor always factor into giving gifts. But you can find great gifts by starting now to think creatively and specifically about each person on your list. By keeping your eyes open for the unique and special, you can take find new gift giving ideas everywhere you look.

Think Individually

Time to get a head start on your Christmas shopping. Here are five strategies that can make your gifts stand out this season:

Decide on a formula. Last year, I used a Christmas Combo. This is a formula for choosing gifts: something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read, something to do, and something I made. It all added up to six quality gifts to open. While it was a bit tricky to come up with some of the gift ideas, I enjoyed the challenge. More importantly, everyone was delighted to be truly surprised on Christmas morning!
Brainstorm for each person. The key to being creative with gifts is taking the time to really think about each person. Consider their interests, likes and dislikes, before deciding on a gift. It is hard to do in November or December when when time becomes an issue. Take a day or two now to really think about each person. List their interests and gift ideas throughout the year. It will make your shopping much easier no matter when you start!

Look for New Sources

Experiment with new stores or sites. Part of why gift-giving becomes predictable is we fall back on the same stores or sites such as Amazon, especially if time is an issue. Why not treat yourself to a small business shopping excursion each month? Go to smaller boutiques or specialty shops in a nearby town. Check out curated lists of exceptional but lesser known shopping sites. You can find something that might delight those on your list, while you get a head start on your Christmas shopping, too!

Don’t forget handmade gifts. Last year I had grand ideas to make something special for everyone in my immediate family. However, I waited too long to do anything substantial. Not wanting to give up that piece of my formula, though, I made small gift boxes with sweets, cocoa and a cute mug in each. It was not what I originally planned, but it was handmade-ish and still very much appreciated. Start now to think about what you could make yourself, check out Etsy or use the gift basket/box approach to up your creativity game this Christmas.

Try Something Different

Consider gifts of time or experience. One way to get creative with Christmas giving is not to give “stuff” at all! I once gave my mother the gift of taking her to lunch at a different restaurant each month for a year. It ended up being a global culinary tour as we tried all types of cuisines, and it was lots of fun for me as well! Consider tickets to a show, a museum pass, an online course or a tour of some unique local feature. Try a service such as cleaning, yard work, babysitting or cooking. The only caveat with a gift like this, though, is to make sure you actually follow through with whatever you promise to do!

Now is the perfect time to start thinking creatively about your Christmas giving. Have fun and happy hunting!

It isn’t always easy to make the most of early Christmas shopping. When spring arrives, everything winter goes on sale. With those sales comes the possibility of finding deals on the perfect Christmas gifts for the upcoming season. But there are some dos and don’ts for early Christmas shopping to remember.

Caveats to Early Shopping

First, we aren’t always in the mood to think about Christmas just as it is getting warm outside and flowers are starting to bloom. How will you know what your family and friends will even want next Christmas season? There is also the problem of forgetting what you’ve bought or not liking what you chose for someone when you look at it six months later.

Early shopping is worth trying, though. The sale prices will help you stay within your Christmas budget, and potentially save lots of time in the fall.

Make the Most of Early Christmas Shopping

Here are some dos and don’ts to make the most of early Christmas shopping:

Do make a point of browsing the sales racks whenever you shop, keeping family and friends in mind.

Don’t buy anything just because it is on sale. Make sure it is something that you would want to give as a gift.

Do add what ever you find to your gift list, so that you don’t forget what you’ve bought come fall.

Don’t store the gifts in such an obscure place that you forget where they are. Designate a corner of a closet, or high shelf away from prying eyes.

Do mark the gifts by recipient and store them in an airtight container if possible. This will prevent them from becoming dusty or damaged in some way.

Don’t limit yourself to sales items. When you are able, take the time to try a new store or a different department. You may not find early gifts, but you’ll like have some new ideas for family and friends.

Do remember to look for more little novelty items that can be used as hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, or workplace surprises.

With no time pressure, lots of sales, and of course new spring and summer inventory to look forward to, you can find the perfect gift and save time and money later. Just follow these dos and don’ts to make the most of your early Christmas shopping!

New Gift Ideas This Christmas Season