Mindful Shopping

It's that time of year again. Thanksgiving is in just two days, and Walmart already started its Holiday sales while other retailers are eagerly awaiting Black Friday. Even though the recession may be coming to an end soon, many of us are still watching our wallets. If you missed our Blog entry on Finances, you might want to take a look at it. If you already read it, you may want to review it again before stepping out the door or pulling up your chair to the computer.

Here are some tips to mindful holiday gift-giving:

1. Make a list, check it twice. What are you checking for? Guilty gift-giving. Everyone has at least one person they give a gift to, not because they want to, but because they know that person will give them a gift and they don’t want to seem cheap or rude. My advice, give the gifts you want to give and save your money on the rest. Yes, it may be awkward this year, but my guess is next year you won’t be getting a gift from that person. Send a card instead.

2. What are you buying? America is the land of clutter and needless items. I struggle with clutter myself, but when buying gifts, I am mindful of possible clutter items. Think of things your loved ones can use.

3. How Much? Sometimes we set a dollar amount that we want to spend on a person, and then find something less in monetary value but high in personal value, so then we go ahead and buy something else in order to match the monetary goal. Don’t feel guilty about what you spend. The person appreciates the thought, not the dollar amount. Buy what you think will be meaningful to the person, not what satisfies a monetary expectation.

4. Don’t stray from your list, unless you are replacing one item of equal or lesser monetary value.

5. In lieu of presents... Most of us don’t need much, but many out there do. Instead of giving gifts to your four adult siblings with well-paying jobs and their spouses, think about adopting a family in honor of your family, or giving your time to a charity in honor of your loved ones. Ask your loved ones to do the same for you or even join you in the activity. Memories of your time together serving others will last much longer than a material gift.