Christmas Gifts You Should Avoid

Mistakes are common during the holidays. You may find yourself buying expensive items beyond your budget or buying items only for them to get rejected by the people you intended to gift.

While it is easy to get carried by the frenzied mood in the festive season, you should avoid making the following mistakes.

Focusing on the External

If you are not content with what you have, you are getting it all wrong. Christmas, or any other holiday for that matter, is not about buying the most elegant gifts you can get. It is more about being around those that matter most to you.

Instead of trying to put a show on with items you cannot afford, pay attention to what you care about. Only buy what you can manage to pay for.

Getting Everything on Your Wish List

Another mistake that most people make is buying everything on their children’s wish list. You really don’t have to spend $1,000 to buy your child a gaming PC only for you to regret afterward.

The solution to this challenge is having a budget and sticking to it. Before you go shopping, ensure that your kids have practical gifts in their wish lists (Examples: books, clothing, new shoes, and more if needed).

Also, your kids do not need lots of toys. If you are planning to buy them a new set of toys, consider selling the old ones to a thrift shop or donating them to a local charity. This will also help to keep you on budget and prevent your child from becoming overwhelmed with all the toys.

Neglecting Post-Holiday Sales

Have you ever asked yourself where Christmas gifts go after December 25? Although merchants spend lots of money to advertise these gifts, the truth is their value depreciates once the big day elapses.

You can save a substantial amount of money by waiting for the post-holiday sales. If you are lucky enough, you will get items that will be useful the following Christmas, such as gift bags, ribbon, bows, and wrapping paper.

Not Shopping Around:

Always, comparing prices can save you big in the long run. At the very least look online at two or three stores, before you go shopping. This will give you an idea of how much an item should cost you.

You may also consider buying your gifts online, or taking advantage of Black Friday sales to save money, but only if you go in with a game plan and stick to your shopping list. If you decide to shop online definitely sign up for Rakuten (formerly Ebates) as you may be eligible for cashback that is paid out quarterly.

Re-gifting

In some cases, you might not need a gift and decide to pass it over to another person. This is known as re-gifting. If you opt for this method, ensure that the present is still new or in a pristine condition. If it has a card, confirm that it is not addressed to another person other than the one you intend to gift it to.

Being Selective

If you are buying gifts for a large group, avoid being selective. The best thing to do is to make a list to prevent forgetting about someone. Picking favorites will only leave some people feeling snubbed. This also applies to the type of gifts you buy. You should buy the same kind for everyone. For instance, you could get gifts cards to a restaurant, or local favorite coffee spot.

Buying Provocative Gifts

A gift is supposed to bring joy to the recipient, not evoke negative emotions. For instance, giving some people a gym membership or a diet cookbook may come out as offensive. Such a gift is the same as telling somebody ‘hey, you are fat.‘ Unless you know somebody well, or they request such a present, it is better to avoid it.

Buying Messy Gifts

A gift is not supposed to cause other’s a mess to clean up. If you are searching for gift ideas for children it is best to ask their parents for ideas. Some children may ask for slime or kinetic sand, but if their parents are against it you may have the gift rejected.

Conclusion

Christmas is the most beautiful time of the year that lifts everybody’s spirits. However, one wrong move could ruin the party for one or everyone. Avoid the mistakes above, and you are guaranteed a happy Christmas.

Guest Contributor Bio:

Lillian blogs at enjoymomlife.com, a site that offers parenting tips and tricks for new moms. Lillian writes all things mommy, the highs and the lows of being a new momma while providing solutions to everyday problems. She also does product reviews that moms need to buy for their little ones.