Getting Organised for Christmas: Ideas for Gift Giving.

Getting Organised for Christmas: Gift Shopping

If the words “25 Days until Christmas” fill you with dread then let me help you take the “dread” out of “dreadful”.  If Christmas carols playing in the shops – in October! - and the increasingly strident calls to spend stress you out then its time to stop, make a nice cup of tea or coffee, and sit down with your notebook.  A little bit of planning will go a long way to relieving that stress and protect you from the frenzy. 

1.  Make a list.

Start by making a list of who you think you need to buy for and then consider it.  If you are a parent then of course concentrate on your own children and partner and perhaps your parents as well. But for your adult brothers and sisters  - have the conversation with the extended family about expectations and maybe come to an agreement about what level of gift giving is expected. You certainly don’t want to get into financial strife buying expensive gifts for those you don’t need to.  I do like the idea of giving something inexpensive but gorgeous or useful especially if you will see them on Christmas Day and you will be sharing gifts.  Something handmade, a good bottle of wine or nicely packaged cheeses, preserves, chocolate etc will go a long way to ensuring a day of treats for extended family. So agree on who you are going to buy for  and shorten your list and stress level.  

2.  Ask them. 

Once you have your shortlist – ask them what they want!  Depending on the age, get them to write a letter to Santa and sometimes it doesn’t matter what their age is. It is helpful to have a 3^rd person involved – even if that person doesn’t actually exist. Share that list around the family.  This does not mean that you get everything on their list of course but it helps to know what is in their heart.

3. Budget.

Budgets are important especially if you are on a tight one yourself. It’s hard to find the balance between ensuring you meet family expectations of gift giving and not getting yourself into debt that is going to be with you months to come.  Prioritise your list. You will probably want to spend more on your immediate family for example and come to another arrangement with those outside that group.  Don’t go over your own allocated total budget of course but prioritise it accordingly.

4. Buy during the year.

Sorry about this one – I am sure you say this every year. But buy during the year as you see something you know someone will like.  It is just too hard to go shopping for those hard-to-shop-for-people too close to Christmas. But when you are out and about during the year or reading book reviews often you see something that you just know someone on your list would love.  Purchase them then and store them under the bed or elsewhere in your Christmas stash.  If you don’t do this already, keep an eye out for a really nice old suitcase or box or even a plastic storage box that you can make your Christmas Stash box. 

5. Things that are good to have but probably not on their list.

Kids like a certain amount of bulk in their gift sacks -doesn’t seem to matter how old they are. I use this time as an opportunity to give good towels and linen etc. Good opportunity to train them up to like quality as well. So buy really good linen at sales during the year – you can never have too much good quality white linen. Introduce them to the notion of high thread count so they know not to buy cheap polyester sheets. If they are students they will appreciate this as tight budgets don’t usually stretch to such items. I know it can be more expensive but it is better for our world if we buy less stuff but what we do buy is good quality and supports smaller ethical businesses. This category would include anything that helps young people to be organised such as good storage items, desk tidies, shelves etc. There are lots of really nice matching ranges out there now you can find in stationery shops or speciality shops. I always include a good diary as well.

6. Support your local businesses.

If you live in a small town, treasure the shops you have before they disappear. Be mindful if you are shopping on line from off-shore sites. We are going to lose our local mainstreet retailers if we are not careful, especially clothing or bookshops. Think about the cost to our country in the long run.  This applies to services as well. Vouchers for lawn mowing or garden maintenance for example can be much appreciated by some family members.

Support local producers, suppliers and other small businesses.  It’s a hard world out there competing with cheap imports but it is important for the health of our country that we support the clever craftspeople, artisans and other businesses that are NZ based.  Look around your area first to see who you can buy from.

7. Buy ethically.

Again – think about the long term consequences of what you buy. Better to buy something of quality that is going to last rather than cheap stuff that you know will be not far off the landfill. Better to buy something that you know has been sourced fairly. Trade Aid shops have a good range so check them out.  See Number 6.

8. Make stuff yourself.

Lots of magazines for this time of the year have recipes for homemade gifts in them. I always have a journal or notebook on the go so I for the past couple of years everyone in my circle has received a fabric covered notebook made by me. In fact it was suggested by some cheeky person that I start a business called “Not Another Bloomin’ Journal”. (they used another word which I won’t use here). Look out in your local area for craft classes – there are lots of beautiful things you can make. Handmade cushions, knitting, preserves, cakes all included.

9. Gift thoughtfully.

Think about the person you are giving to.  If it is your parents or grandparents and they are in the older age bracket, it could be that they have enough stuff and don’t really want any more. They might prefer to be given a voucher for something special that they might not otherwise take the time for themselves.  It could be that you make it a group gift – get together with your brothers and sisters so all can contribute to something you know they would appreciate. Or you could do pledge to do something yourself such as your time. Some suggestions include; dinner at a nice restaurant, a weekend away,  tickets for show, concert, garden tour, festival, fishing trip, a trailer load of horse manure for the garden.(near the top of my list), help in the garden – lawns mowed, hedges trimmed, raised beds made, or housekeeping help.

10. Teach your children to give.

Help your younger children to learn to give to others. Allow them some extra pocket money to get a little something for others in the family. Framed artwork or photographs can be very precious to grandparents. They can also make their own vouchers for services such as a day’s help in the garden, or a breakfast in bed for parents or grandparents.  Just make sure they fulfill their promises!

11. Regift

I don’t mean repackage something that you have been given but don’t like. I mean you might have something beautiful in your home that you would like to pass on to someone who may appreciate it. A beautiful piece of china, jewellery, book, furniture or clothing for example. I like the idea of simplifying your life and reducing clutter. If you can brighten up someone else’s life while doing that then it’s a good thing. Retro and vintage are all desirable now so you just may have something in your cupboards or wardrobe that the younger generation might love and can bring some new life to.

12. Gifts that keep on giving #1

I believe that we should all be planting trees and growing our own food. Encourage others by buying them a fruit tree, native tree or any kind of tree. If they are a young family setting up a garden, then get everyone to buy them a fruit tree for example. That way they will remember who gave them that tree. If they are in a flat then include a  big pot and a bag of potting mix.  Herbs, seeds, garden tools, books, seed trays, and my lovely vintage crop rotation poster would go nicely in this category.

13. Gifts that keep on giving#2

Magazine subscriptions are often appreciated.  There are so many titles out there and something to suit everyone.  Check out various loyalty schemes you have such as Flybuys for example – you can often redeem your points on subscriptions. Buy the December copy of whatever you have ordered and include a gift card with the subscription voucher in it. This is a good one for blokes as well. Plenty of car, motorbike, fishing, hunting, shed titles out there.

14. Books, Books, Books

Spend an afternoon in a book shop and you will find something for everyone. Lots of good books by NZ authors will be on sale now.  Include second hand book shops in your search. Wrap up a pile of second hand books on a subject you know will interest them with brown paper and string.

15.  Food and cooking

Again for those young adults who are on their own good cook books are a great gift. Good pieces of kitchenware are also much appreciated. You can also put together your own collection of favourite recipes to give to your children. Ask the grandparents to do the same – a great way to carry on family traditions. Put them in one of those journals mentioned in Number 8 so they have their own personalized cookbooks which they can add to themselves and begin their own traditions.

16. Electronic gear. I know this has been noticeably missing from any part of my list but will probably be on your teenager’s list. Don’t buy violent electronic games for anyone fullstop.  Nobody’s life is improved by that.  As far as mobile phones, ipads etc, get advice from a convenient teenager as to what is on-trend just now so you don’t buy something old hat.  Parents of teenagers will know how conformist they are and it is just a waste of money buying something they wouldn’t be seen dead using. If all else fails vouchers are good. Same with music and clothing. Don’t dare presume you know what they will like – an I-tunes voucher or music shop voucher might be appreciated.

17. If you are a bloke and don’t know what to get for the women in your life; go to a really nice gift shop and ask the woman behind the counter to help. Tell her what your wife/partner likes to do for a hobby, what her favourite colours are, what size she is, what her tastes are. It would be helpful if you knew some of the answers to these questions but in case you don’t, give as much information as you can and make a note to self to find out for next year.  If the shop is local one chances are they may have an idea of what she would like anyway. There are plenty of shops I go in and would be quite happy with anything from their range.  Get them to gift wrap it of course. If you are caught short, a good gift voucher from a store, an expensive bottle of champagne and a diamond ring are all good fallback positions.

18. Get organised.

Buy lots of wrapping paper and really good quality sticky tape. I hate that cheap stuff that you spend 10 minutes you don’t have trying to find the end and then it breaks as you finally peel it off. Wrap things as you buy them and don’t leave it until Christmas Eve.

19. Create Happy Traditions.

Christmas is the time when everyone becomes a traditionalist. Children who are all grown up and modern will want to make sure family traditions are adhered to. This is an opportunity to create good and happy memories. In our household that includes torturing husbands and partners by listening to Mariah Carey and Cliff Richard – not usually included in year round music choices but part of our family tradition.  Make your own family traditions. Make collecting fresh vegetables or berries from your own garden part of the traditions. Get the little ones shelling peas with the grandparents. Harvest new potatoes to go straight into the pot. Pick a bowl of berries. Set the table beautifully with candles and good china.  Give yourself permission to let go of traditions that are no longer useful too.  If washing dishes is an issue for you then use paper plates instead. Go to a Christmas service together the week before. Join in with Christmas Carol singing. Watch your favourite Christmas films together.

20. Finally!  Plan your Christmas Day and share out the jobs. Nobody likes a martyr so don’t take on all the work yourself. You can give all the most expensive gifts in the world but if you are stressed and grumpy you are likely to spoil the day for all. Don’t fuss about mess but have plenty of rubbish bags available for used wrapping paper. Don’t worry if someone eats their whole packet of scorched almonds before lunch. It’s one day of the year. Don’t worry if the meal is not ready at a particular time – just eat when ready. Use paper plates if washing up is a pain. Don’t worry about an evening meal if you have eaten your festive meal during the day. Put out some good fresh bread, leftovers and salad and let them everyone help themselves. Spend the afternoon reading your new books, magazine, playing games, at the beach.

 Don’t forget to take the time think of the real story of Christmas – the promise of peace, joy, reconciliation and giving to others. Don’t buy into the mad consumer message of spending what you don’t have on things people don’t want or need. Think of those who may be on their own and include them. Enjoy your day and the people you choose to share it with whoever they are. Merry Christmas everyone!