The Secret to Gifting Well

‘Tis the season for gifting! The winter holidays have a way of sneaking up on us and when we add gifting into the mix, we may find ourselves running for the hills! Not this year though– I have just the tips and tools you need to gift well and not break the bank in the process!

That being said, even with the best intentions, approaches, and tools at your fingertips, some gifts might miss the mark. So, the first tip is:

1. Ask about return policies.

If you are purchasing a gift from a business, be sure to find out what their return policy says. Many businesses have time limits and other requirements in order for a return or exchange to occur.

If the business requires a receipt, ask them to print a gift receipt so that you can include it with the gift. This gives the recipient the option to return the gift and potentially find something that is a better fit. Even though this isn’t the outcome you are hoping for, gifting well is ultimately about showing someone that you care about them.

2. Consider your resources.

Considering your resources is a must if you want to do some gifting this holiday season. Gifting doesn’t have to be expensive, but it often takes some time to do it well–and time is a resource!

So, look at you budget and get out your calendar or monthly planner. What other commitments do you have? Determine your overall gift budget and the time you have to gift well (e.g., look for inspiration, shop, find deals, wrap, ship gifts).

3. Identify who’s on your list and how much you can spend on each person.

Now it’s time to start focusing on who you’d like to “gift” and the target amount you’d like to spend on each person. To help you organize your list and keep you on track with your budget, check out this free and easy to use Holiday Budget Tracker and Planner Template I created in Google Sheets. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or need assistance getting started. There are no strings attached with this gift.

That being said, I’m always grateful when readers:

• follow me on Pinterest for more fab inspirations and products
• save pins I create
• visit fabinspirations.com and inviteabilia.etsy.com regularly
• check out all of the gems I’ve curated along the way
• reach out to me with questions or feedback
• post comments and pictures about their inspiration results

4. Consider each person’s personality, interests, and style.

To ensure the person you are gifting feels extra special, give thoughtful consideration to their personality, interests, and style. What do they talk about and possibly post on social media? How do they like to spend their time? What do you know about them? Do they have favorite colors and styles? This information is extremely helpful when brainstorming ideas or looking for inspiration. Be sure to record gift ideas and track them in the Holiday Budget Tracker and Planner Template.

5. Look for gift inspirations and deals.

Sometimes it can be tough to come up with gift ideas, even when you know a person well. If you find yourself coming up empty, check out inspirational sites, such as this one (hint, hint, wink, wink), to get your wheels spinning. For example, if your looking for the 30 Best Relaxation Gift Ideas, we’ve got you covered! I’ll be posting ideas throughout the season, so visit often for more inspiration.

If you’re anything like me, once you have gift ideas, it’s time to start hunting for options and bargains. I prefer searching online first to avoid holiday traffic, but do what works for you.

6. Reduce stress- don’t wait too long to purchase gifts or supplies.

Time flies during the holiday season and before you know it, the weeks will become days and the days will become hours before you’re celebrating with friends and family. Don’t wait until the last minute to purchase or make a gift. Waiting leaves to much to chance and an opportunity for things to go sideways.