OK I promised you some simple suggestion to help you keep your sanity in the next three weeks. Oh perhaps reminding you that Christmas is 21 days away, wasn’t particularly calming. Oh well sorry, but that is the reality.
During my last blog, I suggested that you better get organized. Hopefully, you took my advice. If you did not, then I’m going to have to say it again. For the busy woman who has lots to accomplish, getting organized is a MUST!
I’m going to guess that Christmas Shopping is on your list. When it comes to buying gifts, there are 3 essential components:
1. Decide how much you want to spend
2. Decide what you want to buy
3. Determine how much time it will take to find or create the right item.
In other words: Thought, Time and Money.
So let me explain that further.
Thought --Really thinking about what the person wants. Sometimes, it has nothing to do with how much money you want to spend. One year Nancy, our VP of sales gave me 25 different and unique cards that I could send out throughout the year. I loved it! In turn, the following year, I bought my Mother a plethora of all occasion cards so she would have them at her fingertips. She, too, loved that gift!
Nancy also sends me her date-nut bread every year. I LOVE it! (Hopefully Nancy is reading my blog and will get my subtle hint!)
It really makes me laugh when someone says, “What can you buy someone who has everything.” That’s ridiculous. I can name 100 things that I love receiving. And the price ranges start at $3.00. I’ll bet your saying, “no way.” Way! Shall I prove it?
Example: As most of you know, I love sending notes. I have to use “the right pen.”
One that I like is a Pilot . Cost --less than $3.00
So you really have to think about “what would this person really appreciate?”
Time--As mentioned, some of the best gifts are things that cannot be purchased.
Before UndercoverWear, I gave WJJ a “Fantasy Fishbowl” for Christmas. I put 52 different “fantasies” --some sensual --others not. I won’t go into the Sensual ones, but the others were things like, “I’ll say I’m sorry --even if I’m not.” And, “ I’ll watch a John Wayne movie with you without complaining.” Anyway, that was one of his best gifts.
When we were first married because we could not afford to spend money, I decided to make all the Christmas gifts. In fact I, who cannot sew a stitch, bought a sewing machine and made WJJ a velvet smoking jacket. Of course no one told me that with velvet you have to “watch the knap”, so one sleeve had the velvet going the wrong way. However, believe it or not, he still has that jacket. If you’re saying, “But you bought a sewing machine,” let me tell you I also made the curtains, made the throw pillow, and even made Jamie’s little Easter Outfit-- a brown one piece “little boy” jumpsuit with a white jacket. I have the photos to prove it. Maybe on Jamie’s 40th birthday I’ll do a special blog where I show all these embarrassing pictures of him!
So, think about those on your list. If you’re “buying” for a Mother of 3 young ones, I’m gonna guess volunteering to babysit for an afternoon would be worth a zillion $$$ to her. When you’re giving “gifts from the heart”, often it takes time. And we all know that time is a precious commodity. So you are giving the most valuable gift of all.
Money--This is easy. Money can buy great gifts. However, when those credit cards come in --not quite so pleasant. Always decide exactly what your budget is. And don’t overspend! Stick to the budget. Although, I always disliked giving gift cards, it seems everybody loves them. So if your budget is $25.00 then give a $25.00 gift card. And as you probably know, at many places you can set your own dollar amount -even $5.00 (like Starbucks). As an FYI, when you’re purchasing a Visa or Amex gift card, you do have to pay 3%. Extra. So you might want to consider simply giving a check.
If you have a higher budget for a special friend or relative, still get creative. Several years ago, I gave Jamie and Cheryl, my sisters and a couple of close friends six different wines. The prices ranged from $10.00 up to $50.00 a bottle. I made a list of each wine with the price. Then , I removed all labels and simply marked the bottles numbered 1 - 6. The recipients had to drink the wine and then tell me which wine they thought they were drinking. My sisters and friends loved the “game”, Jamie said, “Only my mother would take the fun out of drinking.” Oh well. I still love idea.
Another great gift idea -which is easy --Omaha Steaks. They have GREAT deals. Look in your Sunday paper and/or online at www.omahasteaks.com. The Omaha Reserved Steaks are incredible!
If you’re thinking about creating “gift baskets” --especially UndercoverWear spa baskets --that’s a great idea. But when assessing your budget, if you’re shipping the item --add that cost to your budget. Here in Hawaii, shipping is very costly.
Another gift idea that most people love is “monogrammed anything”. I often do “bath baskets” with UCW items and monogrammed towels + of course our “It’s a Wrap”. Instead of ordering the towel monogrammed which can be expensive, we’ve found a fellow who does monogramming quickly and quite reasonably.
So let’s recap:
Get Organized
Make Your Christmas Shopping List
Go through each person think about what THEY would truly appreciate.
Decided what you can afford to spend and then get creative!
Make this Christmas Shopping a fun experience not a chore!
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