12 days of green and low-stress holiday habits - The 12th Day: Gift Buying

Over the next 12 days, I will publish a daily article to help you get through these fast-paced holiday times. 

Gift-buying can be stressful.  In addition to shopping online, here are some tips to keep it simple for you:

1. Buy many people the same practical gift -  Last year, I bought five of my family members and friends shredding scissors so they could, with one snip, protect themselves better from identity theft by making the document nearly un-readable.  The year before, I gave five lady friends a bag of wrapping goods (tape, labels, ribbons, gift bags) for their own holiday gift-giving, and indicated they should open it immediately.
    
2. Consider an activity or event out with family or friends - A present takes a few seconds to open - why not agree with those you enjoy to be around the gift of an experience.  It doesn't have to be an expensive outing.  Sledding, geo-caching, the Holidazzle (which ends December 20th by the way and only runs Thu - Sun at 6:30) and s'mores and cocoa outside on a starry night are all great ideas to get together.  You may wish to consider coming together to donate your time at a food bank, church or other group who needs volunteers for their holiday outreach programs. 
    
3. There is something extra exciting when you KNOW your gift is something they really want.  Think about conversations you've had with people, something they've had trouble with, are missing, or think would be cool.  Two years ago, I was at my aunt's house and took notice of a few kitchen utensils she really needed to replace - so when Christmas came, I already had an idea of what to get her.  Another story - my sister and her husband put up their first fresh Christmas tree.  I figured they needed a tree skirt to protect their floors and maybe they overlooked that - yep, they needed one! 
    
4. Consider the needs of the individual, too -   If you have the capacity to baby-sit for a young family, offer to baby sit for a night. If an older couple is trying to downsize, don't give them more stuff - try consumable goods like stamps, stationery or movie tickets.  And, if you know someone is watching their weight, any un-healthy goodies are not a great idea. 
    
5. Finally, some practical things to keep in mind:  Know the store's return policy and attach gift receipts inside the wrapped present to insure it is seen by the receipient. 

Cooking this holiday?  Please follow my 12 Days of Holiday Craving Series- it is running the same 12 days.