A Holiday Guide to: The Gift of Gift Giving--Melissa

 We all know November as the easy-going autumn season full of pumpkin spice lattes and Thanksgiving meals. This month is the perfect transition into the festive chaos that we call the holidays! Everything about the holidays brings me all the joy, nostalgia, and gifts! Gift giving is one of the many things I look forward to during the holiday season--because what better way to share your with gifts?

If you’re anything like my Mom, you might find the art of gift giving to be stressful. So why does Christmas shopping make us feel stressed or anxious? Maybe you aren’t so much of a creative person, maybe you’re stingy, or maybe you don’t have a fortune to spend on each of your 30 cousins and 13 aunts and uncles. Whatever the case may be, I am here to help you out with a gift guide.

The first not-so-obvious-step is to recognize that Christmas shopping is an all year event. There is no beginning or end to Christmas shopping, because sales happen all year! Whenever you’re shopping and you see something you think would be a great gift, take a photo of it, and jot it down in your notes. You could also buy the item right then and there, and stow it away until the holidays. The main premise is to make a list of items or ideas year round that you think would be great presents. This helps to make it easier for you when you shop during the holidays because you’ll have a better and clearer understanding of what you will be getting for gifts.

Next, you’ll need to think about who you would like to give a gift to. It can be anyone near or far. It could be your parents, siblings, best friends, significant other, or even your teacher from 2nd grade. Once you have thought of this person(s), think about your relationship with them. Consider the intimacy of your relationship, what their hobbies are,how old they are, what their interests are... and even what your interests are, too! That is the secret to gift giving: considering what you like for yourself. I know this may sound counterintuitive, because you’re supposed to be thinking about what that person likes, right? But allow me to rephrase the idea like this: “Would you like this gift if it was given to you, and how would you feel?”. This eliminates the possibility of giving someone a “bad gift”. Take this tip as a grain of salt, and don’t get me wrong--you shouldn’t make your interests a priority when it comes to brainstorming for your gifts. Just keep this tip as a small, whispering voice hiding in your head. What is helpful about this tip is that it allows you to add a personal twist to each of your gifts; because each one of your relationships are different.

My final tip for you is to BE YOURSELF. Like I mentioned before, these gifts aren’t just boxes sitting under the tree. They are symbolic of your connection with this person, and how you view them. With that being said, do not over think! You don’t need to purchase an item as a gift. Always remember you can ​make​ gifts, too. Maybe you know how to crochet, knit, or sew. You can make them a bag, headband, scarf, or a beanie for their dog. Perhaps you’re an artist! Why don’t you paint them a piece and frame it? Maybe you have a good eye with the camera. Print them a photo album! Maybe you are a good cook or baker, you can whip them up something in the kitchen for them. There are countless gifts you can make and not have to purchase. Always remember that “it’s the thought that counts” (I’m sure you’ve never heard that one before). At the end of the day, the value of your gifts will come from your thoughtfulness. Think about what feelings or thoughts this gift will evoke from them, and you’ll know you have given a good gift when you treasure the memory of that exchange.

Here is a brief holiday gift guide with some items/ideas that may resonate with some of the people who might be on your list:

• ●  Slippers

• ●  Pajama set

• ●  Starbucks mug set

• ●  Bath & Body Works gift set (I would be wary of this gift due to fragrances! Some people

  are very sensitive. If you are not confident in what scents are okay with, I would

  recommend a gift card instead)

• ●  Stationary

• ●  Bags (Backpack/handbag/fanny pack)

• ●  Art set

• ●  Hair accessories/tools (curling iron, scrunchies, etc)

• ●  Their favorite sports jersey/merchandise

• ●  Vinyls

• ●  Record player

• ●  Bluetooth speaker

• ●  Face steamer

• ●  LED Lights

• ●  Decorative lamp/rugs

• ●  Hardware tools set

• ●  Homemade baked goods

• ●  Home cooked meals

• ●  Beanies/scarves

• ●  Nintendo switch

• ●  iPad Mini

• ●  Airpods

• ●  Socks

• ●  Photo album