Things You'll Need:
- Pen and paper
- Sales advertisements from newspapers and magazines
- Holiday cards
- Gift wrapping paper
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Step 1
Make four columns on a piece of paper or create a spreadsheet. In the first column, Names, write down the names of people that you plan to give a card or gift, or both. In the second column, Cards, make a check mark for those people who you plan to send a card to. In the third column, Gift, make a check for those who will receive both a card and a gift. In the last column, Type of Gift, note the number and type of gift that the person will receive.
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Step 2
For those people who will be receiving cards only, note in the column, Cards, if the card will be sent via mail or given to the person by hand. Write the letter "M" for those cards to be sent by mail. Write the letter "P" for those cards that you will be giving in person.
If you haven't purchased a box (or boxes) of cards, be sure to do so. With your list handy, you will know how many to purchase this year. -
Step 3
Now, work on the cards you will have to send out by mail first. Get out your Rolodex or address book, stamps, pens etc. Work on your cards a little every day until you are completely done.
Set a deadline to finish the cards and divide the number of days by the number of cards you must send to determine the number of cards you must write out every day. Make a note on your checklist of all the cards done each done. -
Step 4
For each person on your gift list, make a note of any gifts you know or think the person needs or wants. If you aren't sure, ask the person in a round-about manner what they would like for a gift.
If this is impossible or to save time and effort, consider purchasing a gift certificate or cash card to give the person. Gift certificates purchased at specific department stores are also a good option.
Refer to your sales advertisements and make a note of items on sale that you think your gift recipients would like. -
Step 5
Plan ahead. Schedule specific days and times to go shopping for holiday presents. Try to shop at stores where there are good discounts and sales for the holiday season. Refer to the sales advertisements that you have gathered before heading out to the stores.
Try to do all of your shopping in bulk at a central location to save time and energy. Choose stores that are located within the same vicinity so as to make your traveling between stores easier.
If shopping online, schedule blocks of time to use the Internet to purchase gifts. Scour the Internet for the best deals.
Keep track of all the gifts purchased and make a note on your checklist of what you purchased for each person. -
Step 6
If possible, have your gifts wrapped professionally at the stores, this saves on time and energy. If purchasing gifts online, you can ask that items are gift wrapped before they are shipped. Every little bit helps.
For those gifts that are not gift wrapped, schedule blocks of time to wrap those gifts and package them together with the cards to be given to each person. Set a deadline and break down the number of gifts that you need to wrap each day in order to meet that deadline.
