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Holiday Gifting Made Easy: 8 Simple Christmas Gift Tips

We are kicking off week 2 of our Merry Made Easy series to help you simplify and streamline the holiday season so you can sidestep Scrooge and enjoy the season. Read that post here if you missed week one, which was all about planning. As the holiday season approaches, the hunt for thoughtful holiday gifts begins! 

Gift-giving doesn’t have to be stressful—with a few small tweaks, you can make holiday shopping, gift wrapping, and thoughtful gestures feel more manageable and meaningful. Here’s your holiday gift guide with tips to simplify holiday gifting and make the season a time of joy rather than stress.

Holiday Gifting Made Easy: 8 Simple Christmas Gift Tips

1. Create a Gift List

Start with a holiday gift list that includes each family member, friend, client, teacher, or hostess gift you plan to buy and holiday gift ideas you may already have. If you’re stuck, write down their favorite store or hobbies for inspiration and brainstorm gift cards, homemade gifts, or unique gifts.

This little organization trick will save you time and prevent any last-minute gifts that add stress. Grab our Holiday Shopping Made Easy Shopping List here and record your gift ideas.

Tweak: My husband keeps a gift list in his notes app on his phone; if someone mentions a gift idea in passing, he adds it. So clever and simple!

2. Set a Budget

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of giving and spending too much money, overextending ourselves, and then paying for it with a credit card bill in the new year. Instead, set a budget to make holiday shopping affordable and intentional. Decide how much to spend in total. 

Whether you choose thoughtful holiday gifts, DIY Christmas gifts, or gift certificates, a budget will keep you on track and help you plan accordingly.  We like to talk with family members for gift exchanges in advance so everyone is on the same page. Our kids have a sibling gift exchange and spend $30 on each sibling. Giving them a budget helps them develop their money management skills, too.

3. Smart Tweaks to Save Money on Holiday Shopping

Being savvy with your spending can make all the difference in keeping holiday shopping joyful and not stressful. Here are a few ways to keep your budget merry and bright! First, try using the “Save for Later” or “Add to Cart” trick. Add items to your cart, but wait to purchase. Sometimes, retailers send discount offers to nudge you to complete your order. It’s a small tweak but can add up to big savings.

Before hitting ‘buy,’ take a moment to compare the prices. Use browser extensions like Honey, Rakuten, or CamelCamelCamel for Amazon to track price fluctuations and ensure you get the best deal. 

Setting up price alerts can also help you snag that must-have gift when it’s at its lowest price. If possible, shop with discounted gift cards, or even better, use cashback apps like Rakuten or Ibotta to earn money back on purchases. 

Don’t forget to plan for those free shipping days or use loyalty program rewards or affiliate programs to score deals and get money back! As you shop, keep an eye on clearance sections or discount stores like TJ Maxx, Sam’s Club, Costco, and Ross, which often have comparable name-brand items for a fraction of the cost. Have your list handy to price-compare on the go.

A little planning and these tiny money-saving tweaks can make your holidays feel more intentional and less stressful!

4. Make a Shopping List

After your gift list and budget, create a shopping list. Include any special gifts you need to buy and essentials like wrapping supplies. If you’re buying toys or electronics for kids, remember to add batteries to your list—one of those tiny yet thoughtful holiday gift tips that make a difference. 

Then, you can shop online or set aside some time to go shopping. Remember, from last week’s planning session, what gets planned gets done. Mark some time on your calendar to shop so it’s a joy and not a stressor come Christmas Eve!

Tweak: Start early to avoid the grocery store and big-box crowds during peak holiday shopping times. Plus, shopping early often gets you the best deal! Check out my list of favorite gifts to give here.

5. Order Personalized Gifts & Cards(or Let It Go)

Sending holiday cards is a classic way to spread cheer, but it can feel like hard work if you’re busy. If cards are important to you, this might be a great project for NOW. To get them out in early December, leaving time for other tasks as the holiday season ramps up. 

While you are ordering Christmas cards, you might opt to get some personalized gifts like photo books (I do one annually, and it’s the first gift we open). photo mugs (a personal fave of my dad’s). They take time to process so do that now.  

Tweak: Consider digitizing your address list so it’s easy to update your mailing list with current addresses for Christmas cards and thank-you notes.

6. Set Up a Gift Wrap Station

Creating a gift wrap station with paper, gift boxes, bags, tissue, tape, scissors, tags, and pens can make wrapping holiday gifts an enjoyable experience. A ready-to-go setup means you can wrap as you shop, making the holiday season less chaotic. 

My wrapping paper is stored in my antique dresser by the front door. We have a drawer for folded-up boxes, a drawer for wrapping paper, and another drawer for bags. I even make it simple for myself and move all the holiday wrapping paper and bags to the top so they are easy to grab and go. Check your supplies now and add what you need to your shopping list. We love to reuse bags and boxes, but I need some new tissue paper. 

Tweak: If your kid walks away with the scissors or tape, tie them up with some ribbon so they stay together, and you have a couple of sets!

7. Consider Experience Gifts

One unique gift idea is to give experiences instead of traditional presents. Experience gifts like a family trip, concert tickets, or even a virtual cooking class can leave a lasting impression and are often the season’s best gifts. Make them fun to open by adding a small item, like bath bombs or hot cocoa packets, to accompany the experience.

Tweak: Personalize experience gifts with a slight, thoughtful touch, like a handmade card or a favorite memory.

Need Ideas? Read this article with 50 experience gift ideas!

create a weekly meals planning gift basket with grocery shopping list and recipe page card

My Favorite Notepads to Gift

8. Keep a Backup Stash of Gifts & Gift Cards

I love to keep a stash of my favorite notepads and gift cards for last-minute gifts or unexpected guests, especially during the holiday season. Whether for a favorite store, local coffee shop, or holiday gift basket service, gift cards offer flexibility. They can be a kind experience for recipients, making them a thoughtful holiday gift option.

Tweak: Add a quick note with a warm holiday message. It’s an extra thought that adds personality to a simple gift card.

Just Remember…

With some planning, these small tweaks, and this guide to holiday gifting, you can make the holiday season more manageable and meaningful. By simplifying your gift list, setting up a gift wrap station, and focusing on thoughtful holiday gifts, you’ll be ready to embrace the season’s spirit.

Happy holidays from Simple Purposeful Living—may your time with loved ones be filled with joy, peace, and memories to cherish!

More Holiday Inspiration & Encouragement:

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