Organizing your holiday gift list

If you are reading this article, either Christmas is approaching, or you are trying to plan early for next Christmas or all holiday celebration activities. This article can help you better organize and prepare for Christmas.

Here are tips to help you organize your Christmas shopping list for the best results.

1. Plan for your Christmas Budget

Creating a budget before the holiday season starts can provide multiple benefits. In addition to ensuring you are debt-free, it can help you set firm boundaries on spending and save money by avoiding frivolous purchases.

2. Make a list and check it twice

You may not necessarily be checking the list for behavior (but it's possible). Planning will ensure you don't accidentally leave someone out and scramble at the last minute to get a gift.

3. Avoid “Shop ‘til You Drop”!

The last thing you want to do is to dread shopping for your loved ones. While it may seem fun to jam everything into a few days, most likely, you will find yourself worn out and resentful of the holiday season. So, take your time and start early. This will help you stay on budget and in the holiday mood.

4. Be creative with gift ideas

Don't be predictable. Surprise your friends and family with unique gift ideas everyone will remember. A great place to look for unique gifts is on Etsy and your local farmer's marketers and art galleries.

5. Use technology to keep organized

List-making apps (like Kernels) and paper journals can help. Sometimes the most challenging part of Christmas shopping is remembering when to do what and where you saw that perfect gift. Leverage mobile apps to help you save links to popular shopping sites for easy retrieval later. This will help keep you on track and budget.

6. If you feel stressed out, take a break!

Remember, while you are racing to complete your tasks before December 25th, Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. And we do that by sharing gifts and memories with loved ones.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by a bloated Christmas shopping list. The list grows as you add items, and you’ll quickly lose track of everything you need. With Kernels, you can create a master Christmas list with your essentials. Or create lists for individual shopping trips. And tag and organize those shopping lists for future review and inspiration.

So while an organized Christmas shopping list will be beneficial, remember to pause and take a breath between tasks to relax and enjoy the holiday spirit.

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