Gift giving, the part of December that can either have us feeling like the most jolly Santa on the planet, or grinch hoping we got everyone on our list as we’re grabbing that gift card at the gas station and hoping for the best.
Let’s make this holiday season a jolly one, not a stressed one!
By taking a few minutes to make a game plan can save for lots of stress and most importantly, not forgetting anyone. I know what it feels like to be forgotten in the shuffle and to forget someone and it isn’t the best feeling either way! We all have the best intentions to get everyone on our list taken care of, but there are ones that slip through the cracks. By the time we realize it is either too late, or 2 minutes before. Life happens, we move on and do better next time. Holidays can be stressful, but they don’t have to be. This is a season for joy, and I want you all to have that!
I personally love the holidays and I am a huge planner, so the mix of these two things are my jam. Many of my friends giggle anytime I talk about planning for something in July when it is November. My first job out of college was in event planning and it has been in my blood ever since. I have this weird ability to foresee and look at REALLY big pictures of life. My husband hates that I question why he isn’t thinking 80 years ahead of time, but it is something I can’t shut off. With this, I’ll be here to help you all think “big picture” this holiday season.
A big part of the “big picture” is gift-giving. If this is something you do, or are in charge of, or falls in to your lap each year, I got you.
First, be sure that you are a part of Paper. Pretties & Dirt group on Facebook. This group provides you with daily items on a discount, a great deal or something you probably haven’t thought about needing. Many find this group as a great resource for gift-giving, as it narrows down items so you are not having to think about what to get your kids teachers, your in-laws and kids! And don’t discount or forget about anything and everything that can be handmade. I LOVE to make gifts and be sure to add those in to your holiday season.
Next up is your gift-giving list. This will be your map this holiday season. I created a holiday gift-giving printout that you can use to jot your thoughts and know where you are at. This list will have you writing down who needs a gift, what are they getting, or you can use the space for ideas, a place to check off when it is completed, and the most important part many forget is to note when it is needed by! If you do teacher gifts, those go to the school days before and this is where you can note that.
Download the Holiday Gift Giving List
As you are thinking of who all is going on your list, here is a list to help you get started:
- Spouse / significant other
- Kids
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Aunts – uncles
- In – laws
- Neighbors
- Teachers
- School
- Extra-circular activities
- Support staff
- Coaches
- Besties / friends
- Cousins
- Work / co-workers
- Gift exchanges
- White elephants
- Advent calendars
- Babysitters
- Mail / delivery persons
- Service providers
This is a list to get your started, this is by no means you must give to each of these groups. Use this as a resource. Be a little more prepared so you can sit back and enjoy a holiday movie or two!
~ j.
Paper. Pretties & Dirt. The blog. 
Don’t forget about those very important Grandparents who LOVE homemade gifts from the grandkids! I was given art frames from my DIL one year. Art frames are frames that are hung on the wall with a front opening door to swap out those drawings and paintings. You ROCK, Jenn! I love this site but the bank account is not agreeing!
LikeLike
Yes!! I did ad an edit to get Grandparents on the list. They are some of the most important people, in my eyes, that we need to recognize this season!
LikeLike