Since the season for gift giving is approaching, I decided to share a few tidbits that I adhere to, on how to find that perfect gift for your loved ones. Hope this helps!

1. Have a budget – if you’re anything like me and you find yourself blessed with a ton of family and friends, it helps to have a budget in mind. Having a budget allows you to buy something special for each person without going bankrupt 🙂
2. Plan ahead – I know this sounds so simple but it’s actually one of the main things most people fail to do. We procrastinate until the last minute and then we leave ourselves little time and effort in finding a gift. The worst case would be not finding a present at all. Give yourself ample time so that the holidays become more enjoyable and less stressful.
3. Put some thought into it – no matter the amount of the present, as long as you genuinely put some thought into what you’re purchasing for them, they’ll always appreciate the gift. Here’s a few questions I often ask myself before buying:

• Will he/she love this? or like this?
• Do I like it more than he/she will?
• Does this epitomize him/her? a.k.a Is this him/her?

4. Give the gift that will last a lifetime – this has been the guiding factor for every time I’ve bought a present. Give something that will last. I confess, this is the main reason it has always been difficult for me to give anyone that is dear to me, a mere “gift card”. It shows how little I know about them and how I couldn’t be bothered to put the time into picking out something meaningful. Nevertheless, I do resort to gift cards, if I truly can’t come up with a present and if they’ve sincerely requested it. I often try to make up for the lack of creativity with the amount as that often gives them the freedom and joy to shop to their hearts content.

Giving a gift is so much more sweet when you’re giving to just be a blessing. I once heard someone say, they’ve never met a generous man who was cheap. I can honestly agree and say that the same works reversed, I’ve never met a cheap man who was generous.

Generosity isn’t giving a one time huge gift, it’s giving above and beyond what is required of you to give. You see, the objective is not to give a present so as to be thanked but to give so as to be a blessing. If our heart’s motive is to truly bless someone, our gifts will always reveal that.

I hope my simple tips will help you find the perfect gift as this season enfolds around us. Plus I hear they’re having early sales… so hit the shops! And don’t forget to savor each moment with your loved ones, enjoy the little pleasures in life that take your breath away and love. . . love ever so extravagantly!

xoxo