How to Prevent Gifting Guilt During the Holidays

Gift Only What You Can to Avoid Gifting Guilt

Gifting guilt is common during the holidays and can take on many different forms. Avoid feeling obligated to gift. Skip the stress of how much or how little money you spend on a gift, by setting some ground rules and sticking to them. Practice making smart gifting choices. Friends and family will understand if you offer a smaller present than you have in years past. The holiday spirit is not about spending or gifting the biggest present, but giving and sharing. By gifting within your means this year, you can prevent gifting guilt in yourself and others.

Instructions

1. Make a list of who you will gift and be reasonable. It's alright to be picky. If you did not intend to buy something for a friend or co-worker, don't feel obligated to gift someone because he gifted you. Many people simply enjoy giving gifts for the holidays and don't expect anything in return, so don't feel guilty.

2. 

   Make Decorations As Smart Gifts

   Set a budget and stick to it; the holidays aren't about who spends the most money. Set a dollar limit per person. Gift something of personal value versus monetary value. Buy one really thoughtful gift, instead of five so-so gifts. Everyone knows how it feels to receive a gift they don't want, don't like or can't use. To avoid your own financial guilt and prevent the gift-receiver from feeling guilty because you wasted money on them, stick to a reasonable budget.

3. 

   Wrap Pretty Packages With Thoughtful "Coupons" Inside

   Practice "smart giving" by offering time instead of money; give "coupons" or vouchers for back massages, breakfast in bed, a free night of babysitting, or a home-made candle-lit dinner for two. Such presents are guilt-free, cost-free and probably of more value to whomever you are gifting than another holiday sweater.

4. Organize a Secret Santa for friends, family or co-workers to set gifting limitations, while still celebrating the tradition of exchanging gifts. Planning a gift swap allows you to set a price-cap for money spent on a gift, while also minimizing the number of people you buy for within a large group.

5. 

   Make Gingerbread Cookies As Gifts

   Be creative! Craft or make gifts. Knit scarves, bake cookies, decorate ornaments and offer home-made preserves. When giving gifts, it's the thought that counts and making something shows that you put time and effort into the present.

6. 

   Send Holiday Spirit With Personalized Cards

   Send personalized holiday cards, instead of gifts. Write letters with life-updates, enclose photos, and have the kids make your holiday cards this year. Make it more than just another holiday card and offer happy holiday wishes, guilt-free.

7. 

   Give Thanks

   Write thank you notes! Regardless of what you gifted, who you gifted, who you didn't gift, and how much you did or did not spend, send appreciation to those who thought of you. Avoid feeling guilty just by thanking someone for the holiday gesture.

References

• "WiseBread": Dissecting "Gift Guilt"
• "Latina Magazine": Guilt-Free Gift Giving