Buying Christmas Presents – Stick to the List and Budget

Woman shopping for Christmas

I absolutely adore buying Christmas presents. It’s the most fun I can have in any store at any given time. I love tracking down all the special little things I want to wrap in exquisite packaging and place under the tree to admire for weeks, if possible. I especially love it when I get a brilliant idea for someone special and charge off with my credit card in hand, ready to create the most amazing little package for them that year.

The lights, the music, and the smells all contribute to the experience—something that’s completely unattainable at any other time of the year. For as much as I enjoy online shopping the rest of the year, my Christmas shopping is almost always done in brick-and-mortar stores that provide the full holiday ambiance.

The Joy of Christmas Shopping

It has recently come to my attention that I’m a bit of a rarity. Most people don’t get nearly as excited about Christmas shopping as I do. While I don’t completely understand it, I do remember years past when the holiday shopping season didn’t excite me nearly as much as it does now.

I like to pretend that I keep things subtle, laid-back, and full of holiday joy, but there’s nothing more joyous on Christmas morning than watching the eyes of my beloved family as they open perfectly tailored gifts. It was when I truly embraced the joy of giving that I began to understand how exciting Christmas shopping can really be. The crowds, the chilly walks across parking lots, and the overall disgruntled vibe from others took much less of a toll on me once I knew I was on a mission for someone I love.

It was pointed out to me that I work from home as a writer, which gives me more flexibility for Christmas shopping than most people. I can shop in the middle of the day, and since I’m not dealing with traffic, it’s less stressful. I can’t argue with that point, but I’ll still say that my excitement comes from the love I feel for others.

Having the ability to accept and give love in my life feels like a constant miracle that I rejoice in daily. The essence of true and honest love is miraculous. If I transfer that miraculous love to the idea of Christmas shopping, how can that not be exciting? Celebrating light and love is incredibly fulfilling.

How does this impact you? Perspective is key. Those who dread Christmas shopping often hold onto my old perspective. I used to see it as a dutiful obligation, something to be done by a certain day on a limited budget. It felt exhausting to venture into the chilly December air and endure the crowded shopping malls. But as time passed and I adjusted my perspective, I began to truly enjoy Christmas shopping.

Naturally, I’m not immune to the obligatory “what on earth am I supposed to get her” gifts. These don’t excite me nearly as much. So, I tend to schedule those shopping trips around the ones for people I love and can’t wait to shop for.

Like most people, my income gradually increased throughout my twenties, so Christmas shopping today isn’t as restrictive as it was when I was twenty-two. However, that doesn’t mean I need to hock the house to provide the perfect presents for family and friends. There are great deals out there that can work for nearly any budget. Trust me, I’ve been there, and I know what it’s like to scale down from where you’d like to be. But some of the best deals are hiding in small, privately-owned stores, not just large chain malls—though there are exceptions like Walmart. Many small shops offer unique gifts for under $30. It just takes a little ingenuity and determination.

Shopping over a longer period of time can help reduce the financial impact. If you spend as little as $40 a week for seven weeks, you can accomplish most of your Christmas shopping without the huge impact on your wallet. And there are plenty of gift options for everyone on your list for $40 or less.

Whether you have a small budget or unlimited funds, Christmas shopping is much more rewarding when it’s approached with enthusiasm over the joy you can bring to those you love. I nearly burst with excitement when I come home with the perfect gifts for the people in my life. I struggle to wait until Christmas Day to let them open their presents. It’s not really about what’s inside the package—it’s about bringing a deserving smile to the faces of the people I cherish.

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