www.realsimple.com, Dec/22
We know that the holidays are about more than presents, but we also know that the annual shopping scramble is a thing. Some expert-level gift givers have figured out how to pick up ridiculously memorable presents- on time and under budget. Our gift to you: their very best tips.
Keep your list going year-round “I have a running list of ideas on my computer. Whenever I’m with a family member who mentions anything they’re pining for, I note it there. I also save images on Instagram of items that would be great for people I need to shop for.” Jessica Davidoff, CEO of Cove, A Closet-Supply Company
Take a Mindful Approach “Something that’s made the process more peaceful: I set the intention to be a cheerful giver. I put people I really love and appreciate on my list, so picking something out for them makes me happy. I probably give more this way—it’s fun to leave little treats for the mail carriers and trash folks—but it’s also less stressful because I’m fine giving a gift card if that’s what feels good.” Kathryn Werner, Prattville, Alabama
Shop Locally “I’ve found that some of the most meaningful gifts tend to be items that are handmade locally. I like to shop at holiday makers events, but to get a jump on my gifts even earlier, I turn to Etsy. Did you know you can search Etsy by location? You can! Just type in a search item (‘cutting boards,’ for example) and click on ‘All Filters.’ You can drill down by state or even city, so you can find vendors from your hometown.” Lisa Freedman, Executive Editor at Real Simple
Buy in Bulk “Last year, my sister came across a company called Ecualama that sells alpaca shawls. She bought a wholesale pack of 10, which brought the price down to $25 each, and gave the shawls to her family and friends. I love mine and wear it as a pashmina at weddings or a wrap in the fall and spring. It rocks!” Eleni Gage
Don’t Wait for Winter (or Even Fall) “Shopping year-round eliminates last-minute stress on you and your wallet, because you’re not taking the financial hit all at once. It also gives you more opportunities to find bargains: I find the best ones at the end-of-summer and Labor Day sales. And those sales tend to be way less crowded.” Jeanne Albanese, Glen Rock, NJ
Give from the Heart, the Home or the Hands “Here is what I mean, From the heart: a favorite book from my own library, with pages turned at the corner and an inscription inside. From the Home: As a professional Gardner, I love to share homegrown herbs, veggies and flowers. From the hands: My young daughters and I learned how to sew last year and gave everyone handmade fabric photo ornaments. The stitches ranged from wonky to pretty darn good, but the overall gift selected the time and care that each of us put in.” Jen McDonald, CoFounder of Garden Girls, A Garden Design Firm in Houston
Buy Items Secondhand “I focus on giving experiences and secondhand items. Throughout the year, I browse Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, and thrift stores, and when I find a great piece, I get it and save it for the holidays. For instance, I knew my best friend had been searching for a discontinued West Elm vase forever, and I found it on Facebook Marketplace and bought it for her Christmas gift. I hope she’s not reading this!” Ashlee Piper, Author of Give a Sh*t: Do Good, Live Better, Save the Planet
Browse the Virtual Clearance Aisles “For a thrifty thrill, there’s nothing like exploring the bargains on the clearance shelves, and now you can do it from your living room. A lot of popular retailers- Amazon, Walmart, Macy’s, Best Buy and more- have online clearance sections.” Lori Felix, Founder of the Blog ‘More with Less Today’