Holidays Tip: Make a List and Check it Twice!

The holidays can be overwhelming with get togethers, parties, end of the year work projects, next years goals, travel plans, etc. Gift giving is just as stressful figuring out who gets what and adding budgets to gifts etc. How much can or should I spend? Who needs presents?

Every year I make a list of all of my family, friends, co-workers/staff and people that I need to get a little gift for. This can be overwhelming and helpful at the same time. Keep in mind a budget for each of these people. More for family and something smaller for others. Start by writing down all the names on a separate line and the gift next to them. Then checkoff and wrap accordingly. Remember that there are Holiday parties all month long so some of the gifts may need to be ready sooner than others. Don’t forget those who’ve helped you all year (like your lawn or landscape service person, babysitter or dogsitter, etc.) Also, if you’re having to buy for children and you want to make sure each of them gets the same amount of gifts to wrap, you won’t make the mistake of getting Tommy 2 gifts and Susie 3 gifts, even if they cost the same. Family and children do notice that stuff! Especially when opening gifts up together.

I start my list on my cell phone in "Notes" and then email it to myself to print. Otherwise you can physically write it down on a regular size piece of paper and put it with the gifts already purchased. Don't do smaller post its or sheets of paper, they are able to get misplaced or lost.

Are there goodies in your closet or at home you could repurpose or gift away? Maybe you could use it as a stocking stuffer too. Write that on your list. Who would like this unopened kitchen tool? Candle? This gives you a chance to look at what you’re not using, haven’t used and could help others. Don’t want to feel weird repurposing things? Then donate those to Toys for Tots, churches, other gifting charities or even Goodwill. This allows you to let go of extra clutter around the holidays as well.

Once you’ve got your list you can figure out who is good to go and who needs to have something. This will make your next shopping list so easy!

#1. Make your List of People (each on a separate line)

#2. Write what you’ve already got for them

#3. Add to it if needed (same number of items per child, family member, staff etc.)

#4. Wrap! Then highlight or put a checkmark on your list

Again, make your list and check it twice! Happy Holidays!

--Riannan Peterson (Author, Personal Trainer, IIN Nutrition Coach)