Last minute shopping?

If you’re still trying to finish your holiday shopping and you can feel the pressure, here’s a suggestion to take the heat off. Sit down and make a list of everyone else you have to buy stuff for. Beside their names, write down what you’re going to get them, if you have any idea (you don’t have to be specific).

Now look at the people who have nothing beside their names: the ones you don’t already know what to buy. Of those, select everyone who’s over 10 years old, and decide here and now that if you don’t stumble across the perfect gift in a timely fashion, you’re going to give them cash or a gift card. Why? Because kids over 10 years old generally prefer cash and gift cards to gifts, and adults should understand what you’re going through and appreciate the thought.

Besides, you can put some thought into giving gift cards and cash (and by the way, I prefer cash since gift cards are getting trickier to redeem). Wrap them up in a beautiful gift box or bag. Include a lovely card with a note about how much you care about this person, but rather than get them something they may not enjoy you’d rather just give them the means to get their heart’s desire. Throw in something simple like gourmet candy or a little piece of jewelry or a paperweight, if you really want to get elaborate.

If there are adults in your family who take offense at receiving gift cards or cash, consider the possibility that this is manipulative behavior you don’t need to reward. We get so much stress from trying to make the holidays perfect when they should be about everyone relaxing and enjoying each other.

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Posted in Organization on December 19, 2006 Tags: christmas