Christmas is the time for giving, and we all know that means presents and gifts. But with crowds, budget and time constraints it can all get a little overwhelming for some people. Reduce the stress and check out our top tips for creating the best list of Christmas gift ideas for your recipients this year!
With just over three months left until Santa and his reindeer hit the skies again on Christmas Eve, now is the perfect time to start planning your list of Christmas gift ideas. Regardless of whether your friends and family have small or big Christmas gift idea expectations, it can be a little tough to know where to start. Our savvy team at The Christmas Cart have put together a few hints and tips to help you come up with appropriate Christmas gift ideas for everyone.
Let’s face it, we are not all experts at organising amazing gifts. But with a little preparation and planning, there is the potential to nail perfect Christmas gift ideas for everyone on your list this year. Here is how to get started.
#1 Make a list and check it twice
Sound familiar? Santa is not the only one who should be “making a list and checking it twice” at Christmas time. This tip is unfortunately not a task you can leave until the last minute, so we recommend creating and checking the list early in the year. This is our top tip number one for organising the best Christmas gift ideas. Here is a quick formula we like to stick by:
a. Who are your recipients?
Consider everyone you need to arrange gifts for and add those people onto your Christmas gift ideas list. Think about children, family, friends, teachers/educators, work colleagues and pets – to name a few. If you’re going to be posting any of these Christmas gifts, you need to consider the suitability to ensure it is not destroyed or broken in transit and don’t forget to allow a little extra time for shipping delays too. Gifts such as Personalised Christmas Stockings and Sacks are perfect to post. But if you are aiming for something a little more traditional, our Personalised Baubles make a beautiful gift, and best of all: they’re well-packaged to stay safe during transit. Getting organised now means that you shouldn’t have to worry about your posted gifts not arriving in time because you left it too late.
b. Categorise it
Break your list down by creating some categories for the people on your Christmas gift ideas list (e.g. teachers, family, friends, colleagues, etc). Using the categories that you have come up with, think about what type of gifts would be suitable for each of those. Add some Christmas gift idea ‘types’ to each category. For example, functional gifts for teachers, or quirky gifts for friends. Be sure to focus on one person at a time so this process does not seem overwhelming. Once you have these categories planned, you can start thinking about the Christmas gifts that would be most suitable.
#2 Christmas gift idea budget
With your recipients planned out, now it’s time to make a Christmas gift idea budget. To make it easier, start by assigning a budget to the corresponding categories that you have already created. For example, $30 for a teacher, $40 for each friend, $60 per family member, etc. Think about purchasing gift packs instead of individual items, as it generally works out cheaper to purchase gifts this way. Since you are organised and now know exactly who you are buying for, it is the right time to keep an eye out for the Christmas sales to begin. Maybe there’s exclusive offers available online that appeal to some recipients on your Christmas gift list. After all, online shopping is more convenient than in-store.
Add up the total of your Christmas gift idea list, then consider how much you can realistically afford to spend on gifts this year. Once you have the total amount, tweak the categories to coincide with that budget total. Remember, it’s always the thought that counts. To remain budget-savvy, and not end up with a good dose of Christmas debt regret, it is important to stick to this amount, no matter how tempting it can be to spend more.
#3 Shop it
Once you have your recipients listed, the types of gifts and your budget breakdown sorted, it is time to start shopping!
Image source: Gifts & Keepsakes
For the sake of your Christmas gift ideas budget, look out for sales and promotions as they appear. As much as prices fluctuate throughout the year, you will find many stores also become quite competitive in the lead up to Christmas.
The secret to successfully shopping your Christmas gift ideas list is to start early. The earlier you are prepared, the easier it is to be able to grab gifts as they come up on sale. Keep tabs on what you have already purchased and who you have purchased for by ticking off your list as you go.
If you are finding it difficult to decide on or find a gift for a particular recipient or category, you could try putting together a few smaller gifts in a Personalised Keepsake Box. Breaking the gift down into several smaller pieces not only makes for a more interesting gift but can also alleviate the stress and pressure out of trying to nail that one perfect item.
Image source: Gifts & Keepsakes
#4 Wrap it
So, you’ve purchased the perfect Christmas gifts for all of your recipients. What’s next? You could store them away and have to pull them out later in the year to wrap them, or you could save time by wrapping them straight away. Add a name tag to each of the presents and keep your Christmas gift ideas list handy so you don’t forget who will be receiving what. If you’re not a fan of the whole wrapping and taping process, you could always simplify it by purchasing a gift box or gift bag to place the present in.
Creating the perfect Christmas gift ideas list just comes down to a little preparation and being savvy with your time. Spend both wisely and you too can be just as successful at gifting as Santa.
The Christmas Cart has a wide variety of Christmas gifts, keepsakes and décor that are perfect for Christmas gifts and Christmas gift wrapping. We stock a range of gift packing supplies to help you with your Christmas gift wrapping activities. Visit our website to shop the entire range, and also check out the Gifts & Keepsakes website to see their range of gorgeous Christmas gifts and personalised keepsakes for all occasions.