The Biggest Holiday Gift Shopping Mistakes You Might Be Making This Season

The holidays have arrived and so has the busy shopping season. If you find yourself panicked, stressed, and an overall Scrooge each year around, oh, say, December 24 when you’re angry-wrapping gifts to the sound of everyone else enjoying the Christmas Eve party downstairs, this might be a sign you need to rethink your gift-buying strategy.

Here we’ve gathered a list of the top holiday gift shopping mistakes you’re making, plus how to ensure you stay on the right track this year. From making that nice list a little too long to not paying attention to mailing deadlines, these are the pitfalls to avoid this holiday season.

Not Making It Personal

Finding the right gifts for your loved ones should be anything but one-size-fits-all—save the crowd-pleasers for your GNO white elephant party. It can help to make a list of gift ideas for those you’re shopping for throughout the year. Things they might mention, items that catch their eye when window shopping, or even tailoring it to a new hobby they’ve taken up can all be great places to start your shopping list. Do your gift shopping from the point of view of the recipient and you’ll never go wrong.   

Going Overboard

There’s nothing worse than that sinking feeling of having overdone it. Whether it’s buying an over-the-top gift that doesn’t feel quite right for the situation, overspending, or simply being too ambitious with how many gifts you’re buying this year, biting off too much in the holiday gift-giving department is a quick way to find yourself on the bah humbug bandwagon. Give thought not only to the people you will be shopping for, but also your overall budget and how each gift should fit into the equation.

Not Narrowing Down Your List

Even though you want to spread cheer far and wide, it’s important to limit your holiday shopping list for a number of reasons, starting with practicality. In order to make the holiday a happy one (read: as little stress as possible) it’s important to set realistic expectations for yourself. Buying gifts for your parents, siblings, and best friend might be doable, but adding your 37 first cousins to that list could put you on course for a Christmas Eve tailspin that not even the strongest of nog can assuage.

Instead, try shortening the list of recipients you’ll be shopping for. Consider creating a second list of close friends, neighbors, colleagues, and others who you would like to recognize this season with homemade cookies, a stovetop potpourri mix, or other seasonal treat. This strategy can help you focus the bulk of your attention on selecting a manageable amount of gifts while still recognizing others who also share a special place in your heart.

Waiting Until the Last Minute

Things happen—we get it—but, if you can avoid shopping late you should. While there are certain deals to be had closer to the holiday, particularly when it comes to seasonal products like those Santa Claus mugs you’ve been eyeing, it can also result in over-spending, taking an “it will do” mentality, or finding yourself with limited options. On the other hand, shopping too early can lead to over-buying with the increased shopping window.

Settle on an appropriate time to get started on your holiday shopping list and also set a deadline. This can help you stay focused on the task and not fall into the trap of either last-minute gift purchases or an abundance of options that lead to overspending.

Treating Wrapping as an Afterthought

So you’ve spent weeks finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your list and now you’re so exhausted from the whole process that you’re ready to throw the sweater for Grandma in a shoe box, slap on an adhesive bow, and stick it under the tree. Hold on to your tinsel because we’re going to urge against this gift-giving mistake.

While they’re sure to cherish the gift you’ve carefully selected, putting effort and time into your gift wrapping is just one more way to show the recipient just how much you care. That doesn’t mean you need to buy expensive paper and spools of velvet ribbon that clock in at $30 a pop. Instead, simply focus on making it special. Whether that means including a handwritten note, allowing the kids to get in on the wrapping action (it’s not about perfection!), or attaching an ornament as a finishing touch, the possibilities for showing your love through this final step in the gift-giving process can make all the difference.

Waiting Too Late to Ship

You’ve made the list, checked it twice, now it’s time to get those gifts on their way. Anyone who has ever hit up their local post office or mailing center on Dec. 22 knows a holiday shopping timeline should hinge on the date by which you need to have those gifts mailed. The best way to do it is to work back from the shipping date. According to the USPS, this year’s recommended deadline for shopping gifts via ground with arrival before December 25 is Wednesday, December 18.  For Priority, plan to ship by the next day, Thursday, December 19. Express shipping allows a few more days with that deadline hitting Saturday, December 21.