This post might seem odd, but people constantly ask about my holiday shopping system. I’ve been wanting to write about this for a long time, so I thought I’d finally spill the beans. I hope these tips help you to make more time for what truly matters.
Every performer knows that turkey and mistletoe help to make the singing season bright. Between holiday concerts, caroling, private parties, and church gigs, the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are a whirlwind.
After one too many seasons of naughty-list worthy stress, I eventually realized the obvious - that this special time is best spent practicing prayer, gratitude, service and joy rather than obligatory holiday shopping.
Did you know that shoppers spend more than 1 trillion dollars in the US on holiday shopping? It’s no wonder that most people are frazzled come December. For musicians with holiday performances, shopping in crowds is often last on the list.
That’s why, when it comes to playing Santa, my goal is to make my list, check it twice and wrap everything up by Thanksgiving.
Having a process and planning ahead is central to the way I run my life, so several years ago I developed a system that has worked for me every year since.
Early shopping helps me to give, receive, and celebrate with a cheerful spirit and a peaceful heart. My prediction is that it will lead to greater calm and connection in your life, as well.
How to get holiday shopping wrapped up by Thanksgiving:
Start shopping the previous June or July! There was an incredible sample sale I would attend in New York the last week in June. The first year I went, I ended up buying amazing things for half of the people on my list - and I have a big list! That’s when I realized the magic of shopping early:
Take advantage of summer sales and save money.
Spread out purchases to reduce expenses around the holidays.
Put more intention and thoughtfulness behind your gifts when you feel less rushed.
Enjoy the holiday markets rather than focusing on gifts you have to find.
Spend the holidays singing, praying, connecting with loved ones, and enjoying the festivities rather than worrying about shopping.
Keep a gift stash. This could be a shelf, a closet, a drawer or a box. The storage method doesn’t matter. The important thing is to have one place to house gifts during the year. I earmark gifts for specific people with post-its and also have some hostess-type gifts that could spark a smile in any number of people. Having a gift stash cuts stress because:
You will always have a gift to give should you need one on short notice.
You can easily see what you have to give and what you still need to buy.
You can repurpose gifts throughout the year. Receive something you won’t use? Add it to your gift stash and bless someone else who will love it.
Use an app to track. I love Santa’s Bag because it keeps things super organized. It allows you to input recipient names and assign gifts to people year after year. With the app you can:
Jot down ideas for gifts as you think of them.
Track gift giving over the years so that you don’t accidentally give the same gift twice.
Set a budget and monitor spending.
Track what’s been ordered, shipped, delivered, wrapped and given.
Create a personal wishlist.
Keep track of gifts received so that you can send proper thank you notes.
Make a list of unassigned gifts from your stash.
Note the gifts you give to charity.
Filter gifts by recipient or search via specific years.
Inevitably there’s one person that’s hard to shop for. By getting things done early, you can focus your shopping efforts in the fall on finding that one difficult gift.
This process doesn’t mean that you can’t shop after Thanksgiving. Post-Thanksgiving sales and holiday markets are my jam. But now I enjoy them by browsing leisurely and buying a few things for myself, as well as extra gifts that I know people will love, rather than feeding into the crazy hustle and bustle. I also love participating in some version of the Wishing Tree and shopping for children in need.
Even thought my family typically puts all gifts in bags, I always forget how long wrapping takes. The extra time saved shopping can go into wrapping early, handwriting cards, volunteering, or indulging in a day of holiday crafting or baking.
I know it seems early to think about the holidays with the summer sun still shining, but I hope that his shopping system inspires you to clear space this December for things more important than ribbons and bows. You deserve to practice peace as you prepare for your concerts, savor the merriment, and remember the true meaning of the season.
Do you shop early for the holidays? What systems do you have for making the holidays more peaceful and less stressful?
