My No-rush, No-Fuss Holiday Shopping Tips

Good day Royals! I’ve been getting mail asking me where I shop, how to get the best deals and if it’s ok to recycle gifts.  I have also received questions regarding “practical” gift-giving —“BQP,  is it ok to go generic? I don’t have time to buy each of my co worker  a different  present. “  But this question takes the cake as the most bizarre question I have gotten so far — “ Since Christmas is now a commercial holiday,  I’ve decided to be smart about gift-giving.  For the past two years,  hinihintay ko  muna matanggap ang gifts ng mga tao bago ako magbigay  (I wait until I receive the gifts of others before I get them anything).  This  way, I give them exactly what they thought (think)  I’m worth.   Tama ba ako?  I will try to answer all these queries through this post.

GIFT-GIVING GAMEPLAN
MAKE A LIST –  Family members, friends, your godchildren,  co-workers, employees, bank personnel, the teachers of your kids etc.  This will save you a whole lot of time and effort.  You can also plan your budget more efficiently.
START EARLY –  I love giving gifts! As we get older though, more and more people are added to our Christmas list.  To avoid the rush and to be able to give thoughtful gifts,  I  start buying as early as August! Do you really want to be part of the mad rush and brave the weekend traffic ? There’s a week left to November, so you better hustle up! 🙂

 
BUYING IN BULK –  Thoughtfulness doesn’t mean getting a different gift for everybody.  The simple fact that you took time out to buy, wrap and hand a gift to someone, already shows your holiday spirit and good intentions.  There’s also an advantage when buying in bulk.  Stores will oftentimes give you a discount or freebies!
Every year, it’s my assignment to help the hubby come up with 70 or more gifts for his officemates.  This year, I was able to finish my homework even before November ended!

GREAT GIFTS COME IN SPECIAL PACKAGES – I can’t emphasize this enough.   The packaging is as important as the gift inside.   The effort you put in wrapping your tidings will surely be appreciated.

THE OLD ADAGE –   I go by only one rule of thumb – I’d rather be remembered as a generous giver than a bitter one.  The boxes you hand out reflect on you.  But what is truly important is the spirit in which you give.  So to the reader who sees gift giving as a barter of goods — this is my advice to you.  Try and find some joy inside of you.  Christmas is such a happy occasion.  We give gifts to share our blessings and not to measure other people’s intentions.  If you get an ugly gift, it speaks of the giver and not of you.

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1.  What is your best Christmas shopping advice?!
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THE BQP’S MESSAGE
This season let’s remember the ones who we hold dear in our hearts.  Let’s also remember the ones who are incapable of giving material things in return like our helpers, drivers, the security guards in our village, the mailman, and even the local magtataho. Donate to a worthy cause, to your church or to the orphanage. No matter how cliché it may sound — it is still better to give than to receive.
HAPPY SHOPPING!