Despite all the gloom and doom of 2020, it still seems like the year is flying by. The holidays are already right around the corner, but with so much going on, everybody would be excused if they’re feeling a bit unprepared.
You don’t need to beat yourself up if you’re a bit behind. What you can do, however, is start playing catch up to begin making some headway on gift buying; after all, it’s a lot easier to get it done little by little than trying to make a mad rush at crunch time.
Given the special nature of this year, it makes sense to have a good game plan in place. The following are a few good tips and strategies to pick out the best gifts for the whole family this holiday season.
1. Making Yourself at Home
With the economy still languishing, this is a time when most people are trying to cut down on expenses and be responsible with their budgets. However, even if your family hasn’t been affected directly by job cuts, income loss or other forms of financial fallout, it remains prudent to keep things more lowkey this year.
If you can, take a DIY approach to gift-giving. Now, this doesn’t have to apply to every gift you give this holiday season, but sewing, crafting, furniture-making or even cooking can open new possibilities for your loved ones. Not only will you save some cash, but it can also be a fun project that will keep you occupied at home.
2. Practicing Safe Shopping
The anxiety of finding the right gift runs much deeper in 2020. Right now, most people don’t want to be spending any more time than necessary inside stores. Of course, clothes are a great gift option for just about anyone, and every woman needs a little black dress in her wardrobe. But does it really make sense to visit a department store in this COVID-19 climate?
Truthfully, you can’t ever go wrong when gifting an LBD to that special lady in your life, and fortunately, this is an item that’s easy to order online. Doing so will help you avoid large holiday crowds, and the same goes for other clothes, electronics, books and more. If you can find good options online, it makes a lot of sense to holiday shop digitally.
3. Subscribing and Saving
Another creative, digital choice is to register a loved one for a subscription service, and there are countless options from which to choose. No matter who you’re shopping for, you should be able to find a good fit. For instance, there are great wine-of-the-month clubs, as well as similar versions for lovers of craft beer, coffee, cheese, meat, or even organic fruits and veggies. Or, you can find many other subscription service options, like LootBox for geek culture lovers, BlueApron for at-home cooks, or FabFitFun for women who love beauty and wellness products. The sky is the limit.
Gift-Giving Strategies for 2020
This year hasn’t given us a lot to celebrate. That, in a way, though, is what will make this holiday season even more special. After a tough 12 months, we all want to enjoy the little things and take some time to show the people we love how much we care.
As you start holiday shopping, think first about what you can DIY. Try to shop online when you can to stay away from crowds if possible. Or, get a little creative with a subscription box gift that will keep on giving throughout the year. Chances are, one of these strategies — or a combination of all three — will be perfect for that special someone.
