Have you started your Christmas gift shopping yet? Xmas will be in one week! Maybe it is time to re-think gifting altogether. This time, minimalist style!
Before heading out to your Christmas gift shopping hunt (or online):
- Pause
- Think what you really need to buy
- Plan and make a list
- Avoid the impulse of buying just because it is cheap or on sale
The cultural expectation of spending money around Christmas and other holidays does not help. Media and advertisement fight for our attention so we can place our money and time at their store.
Remember: It’s not a good gift if it won’t be used.
Here are 5 questions you should ask yourself before Christmas gift shopping:
- Who will you be giving gifts to?
- What does he/she need or wants but never buys?
- Does it need to be a product or could it be a service or experience? (Imagine what a great gift to get a general cleaning of my house by professionals as a gift; or a dinner for 2 in our favorite restaurant; or a month subscription to audiobook app)
- If you choose to give a product, try to choose sustainable products and avoid fast fashion.
- Can I afford? Make sure to put a maximum gift value in your list next to the person’s name to secure you don’t go overbudget. Don’t spend more then what you have. I am confident your loved ones would prefer to have your company and a nice card then knowing that you are getting in debt to be able to buy it.
At our home, we give gifts only to the kids (as they still believe in Santa Claus). Then we do cards or crafts to each other.
How many people will you be giving gifts to this year? Do you have suggestion of gift ideas?
