Hot to Eliminate your Shopping Woes

Christmas is coming! That means it’s time to think about presents, and that means shopping. Did I hear you moan? Maybe you don’t like to shop? Or you never seem to pick the right gift? Whatever the reason, shopping for this Christmas can be enjoyable for you and everyone you buy for. You just need a few helpful tips.

Over the years, I have learned two things about shopping for someone. 1) Pay attention to the person’s taste and style, and 2) Buy them what they like instead of what I like.

Be observant and listen to what people say, such as “I really like stuff like that,” “I keep looking for that book but I still haven’t found it,” “I love that color,” “I wish I had - - - - .”

You can also ask them what they want. I do this a lot because many times they want something that is very inexpensive, yet I would never have thought about something so simple. Ex: A dear friend of mine had a birthday coming up and I asked her to give me a few ideas on some things that she would like and could use. She thought for a while then said, “I would like to have a journal. I was reading this article a couple days ago about the importance of keeping a journal and I decided that I would like to do that. A journal. That’s what I want.” I bought her that journal and a new one each year for the last five years where she records all the family happenings for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Age is an important factor because different ages have different interests and needs. A twenty year old has a different life style and interests than a 60 year old. A 40 year old, different still.

Let’s take a look at a few ideas.

1. Gift Certificates: Don’t moan or ignore these. If you’re buying for someone who loves to shop – like me – they may love a gift certificate, especially from a place that’s new yet carries the type of merchandise that they love.

2. Computer Software Games: Especially great for kids! Especially if it’s fun and educational at the same time.

3. Spa Day: Both men & women like this. It’s a great relaxer for the person with a stressful life. And today, that applies to almost everyone.

4. Pedicure: Great gift for seniors who can no longer take of this themselves, for expectant or new moms, and most women in general.

5. Hair Salon: This can be given for both men & women because most salons today are unisex.

6. Golf: Always a great gift idea for the avid golfer. Most golfing places have gift shops as well as online buying for your convenience. And sometimes, the online shops have gift ideas that you can only buy online.

7. Hobbies: If the person has a hobby that they spend a lot of time on, find out what they would like that they can use with that hobby. Maybe something that they haven’t had time to buy.

8. Seniors: This group may have many needs that you would not think of ordinarily. Seniors on fixed incomes could use their electric bill paid for, medicine paid for, groceries delivered and paid for, new sleepwear, handrails for the bath or around the home, a walker to help them get around, a scooter chair to help them get out of the house and run their errands on their own.

9. Ask: One of the best suggestions I can give you is “Ask Them What They Need.” Tell them that you would like to buy them something that they would like and could use, and you would like to have several suggestions to choose from. Your thoughtfulness will be appreciated and they won’t mind.

Shopping for someone isn’t really hard, it’s just takes paying attention and listening to what they’re saying. If you follow these simple guidelines you will make your gift recipients very happy and thankful for you kindness and attention to their likes and needs.