With the holidays right around the corner, finding the perfect gifts can be a hassle. After all, with so much advertising around telling our kids to ask for this and that, it can be difficult to nail down the perfect assortment of gifts for them. Fear not this holiday season, as we’ve compiled a few helpful tips on how you can get them the perfect holiday gifts with ease, not just this season, but for years to come as well. Check it out below:
Establish Your Budget
When it comes to holiday shopping, one of the easiest mistakes people make is overspending. Not only does this lead to a mountain of debt, but potentially buying items that are underappreciated, leaving us with a feeling of guilt or buyer’s remorse over spending so much on things that are otherwise being tossed to the wayside. With so many things that we could buy to make our kids happy, it can be difficult to stay disciplined; that’s why you need to find a happy medium in establishing your budget.
According to The Motley Fool, the average person spends approximately $929 on Christmas presents each year; which, when you factor in the considerations of items like electronics or jewelry, seems reasonable. While it’s important to go after those big-ticket items first, it’s also key to establish any secondary accessories or other items that could go with it. From there, set a hard budget for the things that you might think those in your life might want or need and don’t go past it. As Christmas is one of the easiest times to go into debt, you’ll be thanking yourself later on when you’ve paid up on everything by January.
Go With The Custom Route
Another important consideration when it comes to buying gifts is going with the custom route. Not only is this is a great way to get gifts that are unique and special, but some that go against the grain in regards to buying trends. For example, as noted by CNBC, last year, toy sales spiked 26 percent in the week before Christmas, which also led to an increase in certain categories. Adult toys, for example, are increasing in popularity, and custom options are available with a site like Jizels.
While you might be thinking that custom gifts are expensive, in comparison to buying the items from a big box store right before the holidays, the price point is pretty reasonable. Additionally, this can give you the opportunity to customize the item to your child’s liking, as well as give you the chance to make something unique no one else owns. Plus, with a pretty accessible platform like Jizels, going the custom route isn’t a bad way to go.
Search On Social
One of the best places to go Christmas shopping is by far, on social media. As a common trend, approximately 33 percent of consumers state that they’ll go to a social network for more information on a brand or product (according to Small Business Trends), which rings true for Christmas shoppers as well. If you’re looking for that perfect gift before influencers and services like Social Gone Viral make it internet famous, then the smartest place to look is popular apps like Instagram.
Start by looking at the popular hashtags for different gift ideas; for example, looking at #xmasgiftideas on Instagram, or even getting into more depth such as #sportsgifts or #lacrosseequipment. Furthermore, it might not also be a bad suggestion to look at the popular brands based around a central gift, especially as many of these accounts have individual accounts for the niche category, for example, @nike or @nikefootball. Finally, if your kids are currently on Instagram or Twitter, start (discreetly) looking through the photos and videos they’ve liked to get a feel for if they’re hinting at any gifts. They’ll appreciate the surprise.
Know How To Stay Ahead Of The Trends
Finally, with how much the toy industry hits its peak around Christmas time, it’s important to be mindful of staying ahead of the trends. According to the Toy Association, annual revenue increases have averaged as high as 18 percent last year alone, which is a pretty staggering figure when you consider the sheer volume of toy sales that infers. Toys are gaining popularity year after year, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. That’s why looking ahead for next year could guarantee you’re getting the best toys for the best price.
Take a look at what’s being marketed in the fall for toys, including what might be on the popular shows or websites for your kids. It’s important also to start a dialogue with your kid early, buying the presents that are in that mid-range of wants because while we might want to knock out that big gift early, it’s also something that your kid will most likely bring up closer to the date. Instead, be patient with your approach, knocking out your shopping over time. Not only will this give you all the presents your kids will be asking for but at a pace that gives you more flexibility and affordability as well.
What are some ways you’ve been able to find the perfect toys for your kids this holiday? Comment with your answers below!