Happy Wednesday, friends! I’m sure you have noticed that holiday ads and even decorations are already out and it’s not even Halloween! It’s actually a little disheartening that we can’t really focus on each season, but this year I’m leaning into the preplanning and trying to get ahead of it all so that instead of rushing to get gifts, we can enjoy the weekends and the season! Also, there is a recession looming, the economy is going to get worse here shortly and money will be tight for many, so this year more than ever I really want us to be thoughtful of gifts that we are giving, sticking to a budget and not going overboard! I wanted to share how we tackle the gift buying and our plan for this year.
Spreadsheets & Budgets
Maybe this takes the fun out of it for some people, but Gary and I have a shared google spreadsheet for gifts that we need to buy. We mostly do this for the kids gifts, but also add in our family gifts here. We don’t put anything that we’re going to get for one another, but I’ll get to that later.
We sat down earlier this month and talked through a realistic budget for gifts this year. At the end of the day it’s really not about how much money is spent on gifts, especially when our kids are this young.
I’m not going to lie, Sophia is pretty spoiled between her birthday, random gifts throughout the year and stuff my parents get her “just because,” I try to hide at least 2 gifts from some occasion – usually her birthday and gift it to her for the holidays. This year we are trying a new approach – I saw this post about the 7 gifts rule.
The stocking will not count towards the 7 gifts! Plus, I’m hoping this will alleviate the argument I’m sure so many parents deal with – both kids will get the same amount of presents!
Thankfully Mason is still young enough that he has no clue about anything, but we’ll still give him some fun things!
Gifts to one another ||
This year Gary and I decided we aren’t going to do a bunch of little gifts for one another, instead we’re going to get one joint gift that we both want and will both use – the Peloton! There’s nothing either one of us really needs or wants and this will be the gift that keeps on giving! I’m sure so many people can relate to not really wanting or needing anything because the things that I truly want just cant be bought. We work so hard throughout the entire year and if there’s something that I really want – I buy it for myself!
We always have a very birthday and celebration heavy Q1 – Gary’s birthday, my birthday and then our 10 year wedding anniversary is all in a span of 3 months, so lots of gift giving that we have to take into consideration…although I’m pulling for a trip and forget the little gifts!
Do you have a gifting strategy this year?
I love your approach to gift giving! We always make a spreadsheet to which helps us stay organized and on track! You will love the Peloton!
I love this and I’m right there with you! Oh man the pressure to create all the gift guides is so on! I’m already created 10, just haven’t shared them yet lol
I’ve thought of paring down our kids’ gifts, too. They get soooo much from grandparents and it’s kind of ridiculous, so I feel like we don’t need to get them quite as much. I love this idea!
Yes to all the spreadsheets! We are definitely scaling back on gifts for each other and Serena, especially after seeing how much she’s been spoiled for her birthday. It’s just TOO much. LOVE the idea of a Peloton – we use the app for the cardio and strength workouts, and log in pretty much daily. You’ll have your fav instructors in no time <3
I love the idea of shared spreadsheet for gifting.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thnx!
Love the idea of 7 gifts. We always go overboard on Birthday and Christmas with Zoe. She has both in the same month, and the influx of items in our house is overwhelming in December! I already have her birthday items purchased, and it is a smaller quantity than last year. For Christmas this year, she just hasn’t asked for as much as she has in the past…so that helps! It helps she is an only child too, so there is no comparison. It is hard to find that balance, sounds like you guys have a really good handle on it!