It’s officially November, which means we are behind the eight ball if we wanted the wine advent calendar from Costco. I received texts from friends the first week of October telling me the much-sought-after advent calendar was on the shelves. October. Christmas seems to creep up earlier and earlier each year. If Consumer America wants to give us Christmas in October, why not use it to our advantage and do a Christmas Gift Challenge.
This year I have given myself a Challenge. It’s simple: Purchase all Christmas gifts before December 1. Each stocking stuffer. All the neighbor goodies. Every gift under the tree for my babes.
My why behind the Christmas Gift Challenge is this: If my gifts are bought before the magical month of December, I will have room to savor and enjoy the magic and beauty without the added stress Christmas shopping can sometimes initiate. I would love it if you’d join me!
Let’s talk about what this will look like and the practical steps for the Christmas Gift Challenge.
Christmas Gift Challenge
1. Set a budget
If you don’t already have a Christmas budget, set one now and make a commitment to stick to it. Budgeting is all about habit. If a budget hasn’t been on your radar, decide to take one small step towards making it a habit and set a Christmas budget.
2. Make a List
Make a list and check it twice. List all gifts your family will give this year. Use a spreadsheet or notebook (I spoke about my spreadsheet in A Christmas Plan) listing the person to shop for, the gift, and the approximate cost. It may also be helpful to note when you will be giving each gift.
Think about every gift you give each year. Family gifts, teacher gifts, neighbor gifts, coffee barista gifts, mailman gifts. Include it all. After the list is made, sit down with your spouse and go over ideas for gifts. Make it fun by adding an appetizer and special holiday drink to get you both in the Christmas spirit.
Kendra Adache over at The Lazy Genius Collective has a good tip: When deciding what to give people, think about what might make each person feel more like him/herself. Make your list with this in mind.
3. Start Shopping
Set aside time to shop. It will look different for all of us depending on how we shop:online, in person, or a mix of both. Decide when you will shop and put it on the calendar. Or maybe you are making many of your gifts this year. Set aside time to create and get it on the calendar. Don’t assume it will just happen.
Start checking things off your list one by one. Online shopping makes it easy to do all your Christmas shopping on a Saturday afternoon while watching football. Each time you buy or make a gift, note it on the list.
Try to shop small or local when you can to support small businesses. Make it a goal to be done clicking ‘Buy Now’ by December 1.
4. Store the goods
Designate a bin or a closet to house the gifts, preferably somewhere out of sight from little eyes. Store all the gifts in one space. Determine if you want to wrap now or later. Wrapping gifts while watching Christmas movies brings me joy, so I will save it for Thursdays and Fridays in December. If you’re worried about remembering what gift goes to who, simply keep the list handy.
Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.
Sun Tzu
Completing the Christmas Gift Challenge will look different for each of us. If you’re overwhelmed with life right now, it might look like getting gifts purchased or made by the first week of December. Or maybe you want to enjoy Thanksgiving too and choose to complete your Christmas shopping before you eat turkey and pumpkin pie. It doesn’t need to look the same for you and me. Make a plan and a goal that works for you, your capacity, and your holiday life.
If we plan and shop for Christmas now while it is easy, our hearts will be lighter and more able to be present when the actual Christmas season arrives. Tell me: Will you join me for the Christmas Gift Challenge?