Growing up in a “last minute shopper” household really taught me the tricks when it came to Christmas gift shopping writes Cape {town} Etc’s Jay-Tee Davidson. If your upbringing is anything like mine, you know how chaotic December 24th gets. Shopping malls filled with scrambling patrons who most of the time have absolutely no clue on what to buy dad. Five hours of what was meant to be spent on buying their gifts, you ended up “treating yourself” to your own. You knew you would eventually get a bunch of gift packs.
Fellow reader, I swear this is not an attack, and perhaps only a few of you can relate, but how many gift packs can one girl receive? I’ve been swimming in bubble baths for the past three years to avoid expiration dates. Christmas is a time for spreading the love, giving and receiving, a beautiful experience, and one to be grateful for. I just need you to hold back on the bubble baths, I’m sorted for the next year.
All jokes aside, how mindful are you when purchasing gifts? Do you buy what you think they need, or what they actually need? The budget debate just stepped into the room and I want to remind you that it doesn’t have to be an expensive affair. People have different needs, and most of the time humans just want a gift that says “hey I thought of YOU”. Some of us are happy with a hand written letter (frame it for brownie points).
I am guilty as can be when it comes to these Christmas gift crimes. I too have bought the special people in my life, a bunch of gift packs. Not because I couldn’t afford otherwise, but because of my last minute shopping tendencies. There is just no time for that, a day before Christmas. My Ouma starts her gift shopping a few months before Christmas, so our “busy work schedules” aren’t valid either.
Now that I’ve hit you with the facts, I need us to go over a few gifts we should avoid buying, because I can guarantee you someone else will, and you probably got them that thing a few years ago…
1. Gift packs with bubble bath and hand cream
If you like the selection of gift packs then by all means go for it! It’s the perfect way to say “go treat yourself”. If your background is anything like mine, please avoid at all costs. A gift pack says “I was late and this was last minute”, enter at your own risk.
2. Shaving cream
What if they have sensitive skin? What if they are brand loyal. So many shaving creams packed away far beyond reach, collecting dust. Let’s avoid that? Unless you’re just buying gifts for the sake of buying, that’s cool too.
3. Food
Okay, some chocoholics don’t mind getting spoiled to a box of something delicious on Christmas but please may it not be the only thing we receive. Imagine 10 chocolates, and only that, save it for Valentines Day buddy.
4. Cleaning supplies
As a young adult, trying to make ends meet, I personally wouldn’t mind bulk cleaning supplies with a ribbon wrapped around it this Christmas. This might not be the case for most people though. Avoid the awkward silence and get them a voucher instead.
5. Gag gifts
Oh, the giggles over that mini golf set for the bathroom, or those beer goggles. Hands down the best type of gifts to receive on Christmas Day, but forgotten and collecting dust two days later – gag gifts. Funny in the moment, and packed away only to stumble on it years later in confusion “where did this bathroom cupholder come from”. You ultimately choose how your gift will contribute to someone’s life.
Picture: Supplied