Does your boyfriend's best friend's mom deserve a gift? Will Candice at work feel left out if she sees you give Jerry one? So many things can stress a mind during gift-buying time (like actually choosing the gifts). Deciding who to buy for should not be one of them.
One way to eliminate some worry is to create a system of guidlines to use whenever unsure of who to buy for and who to leave out. Here are some steps I suggest, that seem to work for me.
1) If you want to give someone a gift, give the gift.
If you're worried about how the receiver will perceive the gift, or if giving one at all would be doing too much, make the gift more subtle. Even if someone you're giving to doesn't celebrate your holiday, YOU DO! Who doesn't like gifts, anyways?
If you're worried about budget, keep the gift cheap! A simple card or piece of candy is simple and cheap, but can be more than enough to make someone smile and let them know that you thought of them.
2) Avoid giving gifts you don't really want to give.
It can be better on your budget and peace of mind to avoid giving gifts to just avoid "leaving people out" (this part is all up to you, though. More giving can be better, too).
In atmospheres such as classrooms and offices, it can be awkward to give gifts to someone while everyone else around waits unsuccessfully for his or hers - at least that's how it feels in your mind. Simply find a private time or place to give your gifts, whether handing it to them in a big plastic bag under their desk, or telling them to come to your car after work or class.
3) Ignore whether or not the receiver would give you a gift back.
The way I see it, giving a gift should be its own reward for itself - not receiving a gift in return. Your spirit of giving, and the overall spirit of the holidays many would say, can only be clouded and diminished by thinking that way.
Give a gift if you're thinking of giving one, without contemplating whether they will give one back. When giving with out expectations, anything you receive in return will be a pleasant surprise!
And last,
4) Make sure you feel comfortable with your list!
At the end of the decision process, you know in your gut who you should give to. Let that gut feeling override most logic. You will feel better about your gift-giving, and therefore those you give to will know you really thought of them, and their gifts will be all the more special.
Happy Holidays - Happy Winter - Happy Living!
