I was recently informed that there are only 10 more Mondays until Christmas. Really??!! Where is the time going?
Is it too early to think about holiday shopping? Maybe not.
Last year a dear friend posted an idea for holiday shopping on Facebook. My husband and I tried and loved. It really simplified our shopping for our children.
For each child, purchase:
- Something they want
- Something they need
- Something to wear
- Something to read
What a clever idea!
When I first introduced the idea to my two teenage children, I received looks of confusion and disbelief.
Only four gifts?!
Yes. We kept it simple.
Each child was given something that they really wanted. We purchased a video game system for my son, while my daughter received some ski equipment.
Both children received new winter boots for something they needed,
an outfit for their something to wear,
and a beautiful hardcover book for something to read.
My husband also purchases each child a small, special gift from him…a tradition his dad started when he was a young boy. Since my husband lost his dad to cancer when he was a teenager, this is a meaningful tradition we like to keep.
This shopping idea really simplified our holiday and kept me from overbuying, trying to “even it out” between the two of them. It also helped our children focus on asking for one thing they really want.
For the first time ever, I did not go Black Friday shopping and purchase unnecessary items just because they were on sale. As a result, we stayed within our budget. I felt less stressed and enjoyed the season a bit more.
Most importantly, we found that we had more time and money to put into donating to help less fortunate children enjoy a wonderful holiday. We will definitely do this again!
How do you approach holiday shopping? Do you have ideas or traditions that have simplified the holidays? I would love to hear your thoughts.
That is a wonderful way to choose gifts! And save money…pinning!!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Susanne! It definitely made for a less stressful holiday! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
What a GREAT idea! We are keeping things super simple this year due to the wedding. Thanks for the idea!
Thank you for your kind comment! Hope your wedding preparations are going well! 🙂
We do that too! It really does simplify things and my kids have never come close to lacking for things to open! –Sarah 🙂
That’s great to hear! It definitely made for a simpler and less stressful holiday, and my children, too, did not lack for things to open! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
I’ve always loved that idea for kids! I don’t have kids of my own but, the 4 gifts is hat I plan on doing for Christmas and birthdays. I’ve decided this year I’m going to buy gift cards. I’ve worked retail in the past and I know how crazy people can get, and how chaotic it can be as an employee. Also, instead of purchasing items people may not need, I’d rather get gift cards so they can use them to buy whatever they want/ need at stores they shop at.I feel like it’s going to take a lot of guesswork out of shopping for gifts. I’m also going to purchase 1-2 gift cards each paycheck as opposed to any major shopping.
Thank you so much for your comment, Denise! I love the idea of gift cards. It does take a lot of the guesswork out of gift giving and you can get so much more for your money after the holidays! We do a “Yankee Swap” gift card exchange with the adults in my family…instead of everyone buying each other gifts. It is so much fun, and we love the variety of stores and restaurants the family members purchase from! Best wishes to you for a wonderful weekend ahead!
Always a welcoming idea to simplify something that seems to grow out of control. You’d think with adult children it wouldn’t be a problem, but we do still have a huge Christmas. For me it would be easier if we could just stop doing gifts with other family. A few years ago we stopped a long tradition of sharing gifts with my brother and his family, an aunt and cousin and for a short time it went beyond that to my nephews inlaws who would be here for the holidays from Whales! We still exchange with one of my husband’s brother’s family. I love adopting a family for Christmas. We have done that as well as the Angel Tree at our church. If I were starting over with my little ones, I would do something as you mentioned. I love the idea.
Thank you for your sweet comment, Debbie! It sounds like you have such a wonderful family to enjoy Christmas with! I love Christmas and gift giving, but our holidays were getting too big and out of control. This brought back a little more simplicity for us. Best wishes for a wonderful weekend!