How to Holiday Shop for Loved Ones Without the Stress
It is so crazy to me that Christmas is less than two months away! I absolutely LOVE this time of year. Spending time with family, hosting holiday parties, cooking delicious meals and shopping are just a few of my favorite things about the holidays. While my family is small, we still do a BIG Christmas. Gift giving is a love language of mine and after years of splurging on my friends and family, I finally decided within the last few years that I need to be a bit more organized so that I’m not going way over budget. Not to mention, I was the QUEEEEN of last minute shopping. When I couldn’t find what I was looking for on Christmas Eve…yes, Christmas Eve lol, I would be so frantic trying to find backup options. These helpful tips are my favorite for holiday shopping to minimize stress and to help you save time and money. I’ve mastered them and can now fully say I’m a GREAT gift giver because of these simple tips.
Implement the rule of 4-I can’t even try to take all of the credit for this one. My mom hands down told me this is what she has been doing for me when it comes to shopping for years. It’s a genius idea and it will make your shopping so much easier and enjoyable. Gift giving should be fun, not stressful. Here’s how it works; make a list of each person you are getting gifts for. Make a column for something they want, something they need, something to read, and something they didn’t know they needed. By creating these four columns you are knocking out so many different ideas and it will be a huge hit. You’re not only giving something they asked for, but also something perhaps they would have never asked for but they definitely need it. If they aren’t huge readers, I have used this category and replaced it with a journal, a gift card or something sentimental. When it comes to shopping for something they didn’t know they needed, think of something they’re always forgetting, or something that you see and you knew it would be perfect for them! For example, one year I bought my uncle and my dad both the tile. They both were constantly losing things. This was something they would have never asked for, something they would have never bought themselves, but it was something they absolutely needed.
shop the gift guides below for more ideas
Bath Soak- This bath soak is everything. This is the next best thing to an actual spa day, but at home! The salt from the soak smells like lemon & eucalyptus with just the right amount of sugar. It’s divine. This soak nourishes your skin while simultaneously giving you the ultimate relaxation. Perfect for post-workouts, to relax your mind, to restoring your muscles and spirit. It soothes and supports healthy looking skin, can be used a sleep aid, and promotes calmness without all of that bad stuff. It’s. So. Good.
Beauty Serum- Beauty bottled? Consider it done. This serum is the perfect serum for those who are skin care junkies but who are equally obsessed with clean ingredients. The serum has NRF2 enhancing properties which help reduce inflammation on the skin. It’s packed with a blend of powerful active ingredients designed to renew radiance and bring balance back to your skin. My favorite part? The postbiotic complex, formulated to combat environmental aggressors including blue light.
Jane Iredale Glow Stick- Okay, this is my new obsession. I’ve never been great at doing my makeup and I always wonder how women get the perfect foundation and blush combo while making their skin look super dewy. These blush sticks are AMAZING. They’re so easy to apply and the pigment is so beautiful. You literally just swipe the stick on your cheek bones or your lips and then blend with either your fingers or a brush. These are all rated a 3 on the ThinkDirty app, meaning they are clean products with clean ingredients. Thank me later!
Soothing Balm- This is my everything balm. It’s a deep conditioning skin & lip balm that you will want in your purse, your workout bag, your desk, and your night stand. It’s so hydrating and full of seed oils for the perfect amount of moisture. Soothe your skin, your soul will follow. Your skin and lips will love you for using this balm. Also, use it overnight and wake up feeling moisturized.
Body Rub- The perfect rub for the wellness warrior. This body rub is perfect for the athlete, the teacher, the one who works on her feet. This rub calms fatigued muscles while delivering a cooling sensation to relax you. It’s a lotion that works as hard as you do. I rub this all over my body before bed, especially after a hard workout. I wake up with minimal muscle soreness and I’m ready to tackle a new day.
Dumbbells- Every wellness warrior needs a set of their own dumbbells. Weight training has been huge for me the last few years. I have gained more confidence, lost weight and boosted my immune system by having weights around the house. This is the perfect start for anyone wanting to start their own home gym or to add onto a set they already have. Strong is sexy. Lift the weights.
Nespresso- If you know, you know! I am obsessed with my nespresso. I love coffee! It’s what I look forward to every morning. Waking up, coming downstairs, making a latte, and reading first thing in the morning is the best part of my day. The nespresso makes it easy to have gourmet coffee at home. You can either use the online app to order your coffee pods, or you can visit an in store boutique to get your coffee. I’ve also linked some coffee here for you, if you’re a beginner. Once you drink nespresso, I promise you won’t go back.
Coffee Mugs- I got these coffee mugs from CB2 last year. They are my absolute favorite. I love the white because they go with any and everything. These are a perfect gift for someone who loves coffee and tea, someone who just bought their own place, or if you just don’t know what to get someone. Every host loves a good coffee mug.
Cocktail Shaker- Every hostess needs a cocktail shaker, or two. Even if you never use it, it makes for great decoration when you have visitors alongside your cocktail cart/home bar. This sleek shaker sits on my bar cart in my kitchen and is a staple in my kitchen. Also from CB2, because it’s my go-to for home decor.
Long Stem Wine Glass- I know you remember watching scandal and Olivia Pope would have her red wine and popcorn every night drinking out of the long stem wine glass. Just watching the show made you feel sleek, and sophisticated and you HAD to have those wine glasses. Now you can! These are a must for the hostess with the mostess. A true hostess can never have too many wine glasses for girls night, alone time, or dinner parties.
Nike Socks- No explanation needed here. Nike socks are a classic and will forever be a classic. Every fashionista has a pair to match her jordans and nikes and these are PERFECT for stocking stuffers.
H&M Sweater- Sweater weather is here. I love this sweater because it’s perfect for layering. You can dress it up or down and it’s a neutral tone so it will function as a staple piece.
Lululemon Sherpa- I’m forever obsessed with all things lululemon. I’m equally obsessed with sherpas that can be cute with my workout gear or to dress up. This sherpa is super cozy & comfortable for an on the go look.
Sam Edelman Loafers- I live in these shoes. I mostly wear them to work but what I love about them is how comfy they are! Sam Edelman is known for having comfier cute shoes and I have these in several colors.
more on how to shop without the stress…
shop during the week instead of the weekends to avoid crowds - I don’t know if you can relate but I absolutely hate large crowds. My favorite thing to do is go to the mall when nobody is there. You can get in and out without the struggle of trying to find parking and you can avoid large lines. Head to the mall at night after work or if you have a week day off like I do, then head there during the day. This will speed up your shopping experience and allow you to get more done to prep for the holidays. The holidays are already stressful as it is. Eliminate some of that by knocking out your shopping before everyone else does.
take advantage of black friday and cyber monday deals- The black friday deals are usually very good deals. Stores and brands will begin advertising their sales very early on in the holiday season. Some stores even start their sale early. I follow a ton of bloggers who constantly post about black friday sales. I also receive emails from my favorite stores so I never miss out on a sale. Keep an eye out for items you’ve been looking for. You can snag an item for the low low before black friday even happens. Also, take advantage of cyber monday deals. If you’re like me, and don’t necessarily want to be out shopping on black friday, then do your shopping online on cyber monday. You can save so much money and time by searching for items on sale.
keep a list of gift ideas throughout the entire year - I have a running list for my loved ones that I keep the entire year. When someone mentions something they want, I automatically put it on the list. Then, when it comes time to shop for them, I put those items into the rule of 4 list and determine which ones I think are the best for each category. I check in with my friends and family to see if they have bought any of the items and think of ways to make the gift memorable. For example, if we’re in the store shopping together, and they mention wanting something but don’t buy it, it automatically goes on the list. This is extremely easy to do for kids because they’re always asking for things lol so the list should be long and it should give you plenty to work with when it comes time to start the shopping process.
give the gift of experiences- The holidays don’t have to be about gifts, and they shouldn’t be. If giving material items isn’t your thing, you can always give the gift of experiences. A big thing in my family is giving 'vouchers’ to be redeemed for a certain experience. For example, a movie date, going out to a nice restaurant, going for a hike, going to a museum, or even having a picnic. There are sooooo many things we can experience that will create memories outside of a tangible gift. You could even put this gift into the category of something they didn’t know they needed. Remember to keep the focal point of the holidays around family, giving back, and celebrating life.