Question to ask yourself: What am I trying to buy with this gift — love, approval, or relief? (or is it just pure giving from the heart?)
This is the first year where I put significant intention into shopping for gifts.
Typically what happens in my home is that I start buying Christmas gifts around my daughter’s birthday in September. Reality is, I buy way too many things for her birthday and think ...hmmm I should hold onto a few of these for Christmas. I proceed to tuck them away in a place far, far away from a nosey teenager.
Then, around mid November she gives me her Christmas wish list and I begin shopping all over again. In the back of my mind I kind of remember that I have a couple things tucked away but keep buying.
December rolls around and I hit up a few christmas markets and pickup a few things here and there. You know…the $20 or $30 items that you think they will just love.
Around mid December I pull everything out to do all the wrapping and realize that I have way overspent! AGAIN.
Not this year. I am giving with intention.
To begin with, there was no spilling over from her birthday gifts this year. Next, I took the list and priced out all her “desires”. I bought what I thought she would love (and that was within my budget). Oh ya, the budget! I do set a budget every year. This year I am sticking to it. LOL
I used to buy out of guilt as a single parent and all that ended up happening was more debt and or less savings and a child that had an unhealthy model for money.
The U-turn on this was slightly painful for both of us. Quite a few years ago at the time of the U-turn, she opened the last gift and said “is that it!”. A moment I will never forget. As a parent I want to give her the world. I want her to have everything I didn’t, but that does not serve her well. Happy to say that she gets it now. She works now, buys Christmas gifts, and is surprised at how little you get for your money….especaillly when you buy tiny expensive things!
Now our Christmases are more about making our own traditions, spending time together, and a few well curated, intentional gifts.
This process of stopping my impulsive shopping took some time. Recently I wrote down all the steps I took to move away from impulse spending and over giving. I’ve put all the pieces into a bundle for you. If you want to be first in…simply respond to this email!
An invitation:
Tell me in the comments: what’s one thing you’re doing differently with gifts this year?
