1. Create a List of Your Peeps
First things first: making a list to evaluate who exactly you are shopping for this season is super important. On top of this, adding a budget for each person you're holiday shopping for will help you avoid breaking the bank and optimizing your gift giving. Whether you prefer handwritten lists to check off on paper or to use the notes app in your phone, jot down the friends and family members you are buying for this year with a budget for each one before you even begin your shopping. Also, don't forget to add host gifts or Secret Santa notes for any parties you're planning on attending as well!
2. Ask for Specific Lists
This tip is specifically important for the kiddos you're shopping for. Whether you have young nieces, nephews, grandchildren or cousins, it is essential to message their parents for specific inspiration on what they may want this year. If you're a parent on the other side of this and are looking for efficient ways to tell your relatives what to gift your kids this year, try creating an Amazon storefront to send out. You can buy gifts directly from Amazon storefronts, making it easy to purchase a useful gift that they're actually interested in!
3. Download a Tracking App
If you want to track your shopping progress throughout the next few months, there are plenty of free apps to choose from to do so. According to user reviews, one of the best apps for overall holiday shopping tracking is "The Christmas Gift List." This app allows you to break your budget down and track the status of all your gifts by person. You can split the people you're buying for into categories such as family, friends and coworkers, and also track the status of their individual gifts.
If you're hosting a Secret Santa party this year, download "Elfster" to allow it the app to create the exchange for you! Often times in a Secret Santa situation, you may not know what the person you are assigned may be interested in, which is why Elfster allows individuals to input their wishlists directly into the app for others to see!
4. Quality Over Quantity
In order to keep your budgets in check, seeking out unique gifts for those who are close to you rather than purchasing multiple gifts that they may not appreciate as much. Meaningful crafts or experiences can definitely be considered as a great holiday gift, even if it isn't tangible, and can create a better memory for both you and the person you're giving to!
5. Wrap As You Go
After a long day of holiday shopping, most of us put the gifts in a corner and save our wrapping for the last minute. Wrapping and labeling gifts as you buy them is the ultimate organization tip, and will help you feel so much more accomplished as the holiday season approaches!
