Take the Stress and Frustration out of Gift-Giving

Sometimes I hate buying gifts. Stressing out over giving gifts is common during Christmas, but also birthdays and anniversaries.

Photo by Bermix Studio on Unsplash

I used to and still do sometimes get a little stressed this time of year. The thought -"I don't know what to get for my _____" -circles around in your head like water circling the drain. It feels like the water will never stop circling until that gift has been purchased. Maybe a more accurate feeling would be the sink being clogged, and then the sigh of relief when the water finally drains.

Scott Rodgerson, unsplash

After getting the gifts, I can relax and not feel like the task is hanging over my head. Whether it is your husband, kid, girlfriend, boyfriend, coworker, boss, white elephant gift, gift giving can bring out the worst in us with the stress and frustration we feel when it is time to give gifts. Unfortunately, this steals our joy, and really takes away from the whole point of the meaning of buying the gift in the first place. If it is for Christmas, it takes away from the season of giving as well. Gifts should be given with care not just obligation.
Why do we feel like this? I can speak for myself and say it is because I care about these people on my list. I want to show them that I care and that I know them. I want them to actually like the gift. I want them to know that I know them beyond what is on the surface, and that is why there is pressure in giving gifts. I want the gift to be personal to them. This speaks volumes to the person receiving the gift.

Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash

Over the years, I have come up with a couple tried and true methods to help me at gift-giving time. I hope that they may be able to help you as well. Some are obvious, but sometimes the simple things are what work the best.

The obvious one is to have people make Christmas lists. We did this as kids growing up, and I don't know how it started, but I do know that it probably made life much easier for my parents. We have the kids sit around the table during our "family council" and make their Christmas lists.

Then, we hang them up on the fridge. When they come to me and tell me that they have "thought of more things to add to their list;" I am able to direct them to their list on the fridge to update it.

A second method that may not be as obvious is making a list or taking notes all year. This may sound daunting, but there is a way to make it simple. I have a journal in which I write a myriad of things.

One year, I decided to dedicate a page to gift ideas as they pop up in conversations with people that I will be buying gifts for at some point during the year. I dog-ear the page and label it "gifts (year)." This has served me well.

In random conversations with my husband or kids or friends, etc., when they mention things that they really like, I take note. This can be favorite colors, foods, treats, snacks, musicians, things they wish they had, favorite movies, books, or restaurants. You can also take note of sizes of clothing they wear-in a not creepy way. For your kids, you can double check the shoe sizes or hoodie sizes by checking their closets. The same idea is true for spouses or anyone living with you. For friends, it is different conversations throughout the year- "Isn't it weird how different companies size their clothes? I wear a Large with this company and then a Medium if I buy this. How about you?" These conversations can be completely normal and organic, unlike the random example I just gave you. Hopefully, you get the idea. So, take a page in a dedicated journal, little notebook, secret drawer with post-it notes, whatever, and add to it throughout the year. When it is time to give, just open it up and voila! You are prepared, and life will be so much easier in the gift-giving department.

This is what works for me, how about you? Please, share your method.