Christmas can often be one of the most exciting and highly anticipated days of the year. Unfortunately with all that anticipation can come a lot of stress. In a relationship, buying your partner the perfect holiday gift is listed in the top three stressors during Christmas.
Sometimes there can be a great deal of expectations, financial worries, or unpreparedness that can feel overwhelming. Unfortunately, this stressful time of year can put strain on your relationship and make Christmas feel anything but merry. Key considerations for shopping for your spouse include avoiding last-minute purchases, re-gifting, and thoughtless gifts. If you are trying to buy your partner the perfect holiday gift (and let’s face it, who’s not?), here are several ways to add an extra element to your holiday gift buying:
Pay attention during the year.
When you are out shopping during the year, walking through the mall or reading through a catalog, and your wife makes a comment about something she loves – listen up! Make a mental note, or better yet, create a notes page in your phone and keep it saved all year. Use that list to shop from and she will not only be surprised that you paid attention and remembered. She will love your thoughtfulness for remembering that “little thing” she wanted from earlier in the year.
Don’t buy a holiday gift you secretly want for yourself.
If you have the thought, “well if he doesn’t like it, at least I’ll use it” or something along those lines, it probably isn’t the best holiday gift idea. The best gifts truly do come from the heart. When you buy your partner the perfect gift, I guarantee it’s not perfect if you buy it because you selfishly like it for yourself. The perfect holiday gift should be special and important to your partner because it’s something they would love. Don’t be the husband who buys a huge TV, claiming it’s for her favorite show, while actually thinking about how great the game will look on it.
Write in a card.
Nowadays, giving a card is a lost art. Add the special touch when you buy your partner the perfect holiday gift by adding a thoughtful, handwritten Christmas card. Tell your partner all the things you want your present to tell her. Christmas is a great time for celebrating and that includes celebrating the love that you have shared with each other all year.
Plan an experience.
Great gifts are the ones that keep on giving. It is important to really know your spouse and what their interests are. Planning a trip or tickets to a concert, game, or play shows your partner you want to celebrate beyond Christmas Day. Plan an experience for a month or two away that gives you something exciting to look forward to together.
Get dual holiday gifts.
Another way to spice up your Christmas present is by adding an element to it that makes it even more perfect. One great way to do that is by wrapping your presents and tying a small ornament as a the “tag” or bow. She receives a new ornament for next Christmas and then unwraps the real gift inside.
Buy a unique holiday gift.
There are websites like www.uncommongoods.com or local shops and vendors that specialize in making unique gifts for holidays. It’s best to prepare in advance but utilizing those options are a great way to find something special for your partner. Years of experience on Pinterest and Etsy have taught me, if you can think of it, somebody can make. You just have to plan ahead and give them enough time.
Prioritizing and loving your partner throughout the year is the best holiday gift you can give. When it comes time to buy your partner the perfect gift, don’t get stuck unprepared or overwhelmed. Take notes during the year, budget the finances, and communicate with your partner.
What’s your favorite Christmas gift you ever got from your partner?
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.