Secrets Revealed from a Christmas Elf: How to Find the Perfect Christmas Gift

I love giving presents to those that I love. I enjoy the selecting, creating, wrapping, and watching them open their gifts more than receiving gifts. All the hard work is paid off when you see the look on their faces.

I tend to act as a Christmas elf for members of my family who don’t have the time or desire to shop for gifts. The days before Taylan, I would even wrap all the presents for them and deliver them. They were spoiled; yep I am talking to you mom ;).

My initials before I was married were ALF, and who remembers the tv show from the 90’s about the crazy alien named ALF. See I was meant to be a crazy alien shopping Elf ;).

Today is your lucky day; I am going to share with you my shopping elf secrets.

START BRAINSTORMING GIFT IDEAS EARLY

Give yourself plenty of time to come up with that great gift. And when you find items, purchase them now or watch for them to go on sale. Starting your holiday shopping early helps to spread out the cost. For Christmas, think about gift ideas starting in September and October.

SNOOP THE CLEARANCE SECTIONS

If you are out shopping in the fall take a look at items that are on clearance, would any of these make an excellent gift for the people on your list?

PAY ATTENTION TO SALES

A lot of places are trying to get you to spend your money early. November is full of sales from lots of brands, take advantage of these.

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Be ready for promotions. Shutterfly likes to throw out free items before the madness of the season starts. Like this year they had a Stocking Stuffer Stock Up sale over five days at the beginning of October. You know I was watching and created some personalized items for those on my Christmas list.

WORK YOUR SPY MAGIC

When you are hanging out, pay attention. Notice things that they love. Is there a gift that would relate to this and enhance the item? What about something that frustrates them? Do you know of something that would solve/fix it?

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If you get the chance, go shopping with those on your list. Pay close attention to things that they are loving, but are feeling it is a little too expensive to buy for themselves. These items are perfect. If the gift is a larger ticket item, could you go in on it with another family member or friend and purchase it together?

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I create a photo book each year for the grandparents from Taylan. My mother later told me that my nephew loved reading these books with Grandma. Last year my nephew was going from baby to middle child at the age of 5. I knew this was going to be a bit of a transition for him. So I thought I should create a photo book just for him. I gathered photos I had of him, from baby to current, and created a quick ten reasons I love you book all about my nephew. It took maybe an hour to make. And to my surprise, it ended up a huge hit with not only my nephew but my mom and sister too.

Secrets revealed from a Christmas elf for finding the perfect gift.

CREATE A THEMED STYLED GIFT

Think of something that they enjoy or need and purchase gifts that relate to it. Like a modern day gift basket.

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Does this person travel a lot personally or for work? Do they own travel accessories to make being on the road easier? What about packing cubes, electronic cord organizers with an extra phone charger (we can never have enough), travel size bottles of their favorite toiletry items, travel case for their laptop or tablet, a nice glass travel water bottle, shoe bags to protect their clothes, travel slippers, etc.

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RELATED POST | GIFTS FOR THE TRAVELER

Maybe it is a craft beer that they love. Start thinking of related items to beer, to create a themed gift. You could purchase some of this craft beer, a personalized growler, personalized beer mug or glass for that type of beer, personalized coasters, a fun bottle opener, a wooden 6-pack crate to carry the beer, merchandise from craft beer company like a baseball hat, t-shirt, etc., you get the idea. You already know that they love this beer, so everything else is just a bonus.

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Maybe they love Bloody Marys. What about a Bloody Mary Bar kit, that you create. Find a great Bloody Mary recipe, print it out on cardstock or write it on a recipe card. Start thinking about what you need to create a Bloody Mary. Vodka, get a unique flavor like pepper, jalapeno, bacon, or cucumber (I know it sounds weird, but it is tasty) that works well with Bloody Marys. Bloody Mary mix. Pickled asparagus spears, pickles, beef sticks, seasonings. Let them pick up the fresh items needed.

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Lots of alcohol-related gifts, sorry apparently my relatives like to drink ;).

PERSONALIZE THE GIFT

Have you noticed some recurring items? I like to try and personalize gifts. If you can personalize the present, it means you took the time to think about that person and make something special that is only for them.

MAKE A GIFT

If you are a seamstress or a craftier, what can you make that they would love?

I like to combine handmade items with purchased items as gifts. To me, it makes the handmade gift look and feel expensive. And a lot of times you can fool your relatives, and they won’t believe you when you tell them that you made it. The best compliment any crafter can receive.

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That is why I try to create gifts, either through sites like Shutterfly that allow you to personalize items, sewing something unique, or crafting.

GIVE FROM THE HEART

In the end, it doesn’t matter what you give to those you love as long as it came from your heart.

Go out and have fun this year creating the perfect gift for those you love! Do you have secrets for finding the perfect gift?

START BRAINSTORMING GIFT IDEAS EARLY

SNOOP THE CLEARANCE SECTIONS

PAY ATTENTION TO SALES

WORK YOUR SPY MAGIC

CREATE A THEMED STYLED GIFT

PERSONALIZE THE GIFT

MAKE A GIFT

GIVE FROM THE HEART

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