Since yesterday was all about how to survive Christmas shopping, I thought I'd back up and talk about the actual things you are buying, or at least some tips on what to buy.
I love giving gifts, and I also love receiving gifts.
One of my favorite things in the world is to find the "perfect" gift for someone I love. It brings me so much excitement and joy; watching someone open the gift and be entirely elated with it can be truly magical.
That is great Sarah, but how do you find these oh so "perfect" gifts.
Spoiler: Sometimes, I just walk through a store and something catches my eye and I know someone I am really close to will love it. This is the easiest with my younger sister Bethany. You're welcome sis.
Sometimes it really isn't easy. Husbands tend to be the hardest people to shop for, that and more distant relatives that you don't know as much about. Best friends and/or sisters tend to be the easiest.
Here are some simple steps to help find the best gift:
1) Love Language. This won't be possible for everyone you are planning to buy a gift for, but it is possible for a lot. There are 5 love languages: Physical touch, quality time, acts of service, words of affirmation, and gifts. In general, people will have two of those as their top love languages (this is the way they receive love the best and the way that they are likely going to show/give love.) My mom has always been a "practical" gift receiver. Which means one year she got 68 spoons for Christmas. It isn't always fun to give her the new dust pan or set of bed sheets, but then I think back to my childhood. When I was a kid and my mom was upset or stressed, I knew exactly what she'd want. "Go clean something of mine" (said in a humorous accent) was a common phrase for us to hear. Knowing her love language has made getting her gifts so much easier, and this tends to be true for everyone I know.
2) Kid Tip: Think long term. Avoid trendy toys. The best gift for children under 5: A large cardboard box, a brand new set of crayons, and a ball. You won't get a stunner reaction at first, but trust me, they are full of endless possibilities. Seriously though, toys that are short term aren't the greatest. The reality is kids love getting presents, but their minds are full of curiosity, so their moments of elation are often short lived, but the gifts they can play with for months and months are the best.
3) Husband/Wife Tip: You know your spouse better than anyone in the world. You know what they love. You know what they hate, but for some reason, finding the perfect Christmas gift for your spouse is always a lofty task, especially when money is tight. Aim for experiences over objects. Does your husband love football? Buy him tickets to a game. Does your husband like golf? Send him and 3 of his friends to play at TopGolf. Does your husband love to read, but never has time? Buy him a subscription to Audible. Does your wife love makeup? Buy her a subscription service that delivers new products every month. Do you guys never have ideas for dates? Sign up for the Date box. Is your spouses love language time? Don't give each other presents to unwrap, instead spend two days at a Bed and Breakfast. WIFE TIP #1!!!!! Your wife wants you to find a babysitter and plan a whole day date. She doesn't want to choose where she goes to eat, what she does, which movie you watch, what time you have to get home in order to let the babysitter get home. She doesn't want to pick what day. Steal your wives calendar, find a day that works, ask off from work, find a babysitter, and surprise her the morning of. Pick things you know she will want to do. Trust me. There are a lot of dates that can be essentially free: hiking, exploring bookstores, visiting a museum or historic site, etc.
I am going to be doing a few posts on DIY gifts, so if you are looking for those check back soon.
I love giving gifts, and I also love receiving gifts.
One of my favorite things in the world is to find the "perfect" gift for someone I love. It brings me so much excitement and joy; watching someone open the gift and be entirely elated with it can be truly magical.
That is great Sarah, but how do you find these oh so "perfect" gifts.
Spoiler: Sometimes, I just walk through a store and something catches my eye and I know someone I am really close to will love it. This is the easiest with my younger sister Bethany. You're welcome sis.
Sometimes it really isn't easy. Husbands tend to be the hardest people to shop for, that and more distant relatives that you don't know as much about. Best friends and/or sisters tend to be the easiest.
Here are some simple steps to help find the best gift:
1) Love Language. This won't be possible for everyone you are planning to buy a gift for, but it is possible for a lot. There are 5 love languages: Physical touch, quality time, acts of service, words of affirmation, and gifts. In general, people will have two of those as their top love languages (this is the way they receive love the best and the way that they are likely going to show/give love.) My mom has always been a "practical" gift receiver. Which means one year she got 68 spoons for Christmas. It isn't always fun to give her the new dust pan or set of bed sheets, but then I think back to my childhood. When I was a kid and my mom was upset or stressed, I knew exactly what she'd want. "Go clean something of mine" (said in a humorous accent) was a common phrase for us to hear. Knowing her love language has made getting her gifts so much easier, and this tends to be true for everyone I know.
2) Kid Tip: Think long term. Avoid trendy toys. The best gift for children under 5: A large cardboard box, a brand new set of crayons, and a ball. You won't get a stunner reaction at first, but trust me, they are full of endless possibilities. Seriously though, toys that are short term aren't the greatest. The reality is kids love getting presents, but their minds are full of curiosity, so their moments of elation are often short lived, but the gifts they can play with for months and months are the best.
3) Husband/Wife Tip: You know your spouse better than anyone in the world. You know what they love. You know what they hate, but for some reason, finding the perfect Christmas gift for your spouse is always a lofty task, especially when money is tight. Aim for experiences over objects. Does your husband love football? Buy him tickets to a game. Does your husband like golf? Send him and 3 of his friends to play at TopGolf. Does your husband love to read, but never has time? Buy him a subscription to Audible. Does your wife love makeup? Buy her a subscription service that delivers new products every month. Do you guys never have ideas for dates? Sign up for the Date box. Is your spouses love language time? Don't give each other presents to unwrap, instead spend two days at a Bed and Breakfast. WIFE TIP #1!!!!! Your wife wants you to find a babysitter and plan a whole day date. She doesn't want to choose where she goes to eat, what she does, which movie you watch, what time you have to get home in order to let the babysitter get home. She doesn't want to pick what day. Steal your wives calendar, find a day that works, ask off from work, find a babysitter, and surprise her the morning of. Pick things you know she will want to do. Trust me. There are a lot of dates that can be essentially free: hiking, exploring bookstores, visiting a museum or historic site, etc.
I am going to be doing a few posts on DIY gifts, so if you are looking for those check back soon.