How I Make My Christmas Shopping Sweet and Simple
If the idea of Christmas shopping overwhelms you, I completely understand.
This is my tip on how I make my Christmas shopping sweet and simple by getting everyone chocolates! You can do this too!
1. Get everyone “chocolates.”
And don’t worry. If chocolate is not something people in your family like, then do another food item or choose something universally loved by many that they can expect to get from you year after year during the holidays!
2. Edit your same Christmas list.
I have a running Google spreadsheet for Christmas. It has a list of family and friends and gets updated every year after Christmas for example when the “kid’s teacher” or “kids’ coach” has changed or when you and a friend or cousin decide not to exchange gifts anymore.
At the bottom of my list is always some “just in case” extras I keep on hand and if they don’t go out, then I eat them. :) Having these “just in case” gifts takes a big chunk out of the anxiousness of accidentally “forgetting” someone or when you receive an unexpected gift that you can’t reciprocate.
The columns in my spreadsheet are listed like this:
Budget
Chocolate/Gift Item
Name
Done
3. Stay on budget.
That’s it! And this is how I stay on budget too. I total up the column of how much I am going to spend on everyone and make sure I can save and put away that much every year, or I need to adjust my budget.
It is why at Choco le`a, our Christmas menu is thoroughly thought through with something for everyone at different price points to meet your budget from small gifts for everyone, to assorted gifts to share, to larger gifts for that special someone! It’s also always why we release our menu so early, so you have the opportunity to get everything you want guaranteed, and decide what day you want it all so it’s one pick up, fresh and ready for you to make everyone’s Christmas, a little more cheerful!
erin’s tip
Get started early. The holidays get hectic and when you put your mind to this, it gets easier and easier every year. Especially if you just gift everyone “chocolates!” See below for my recommendations and what I pre-ordered this holiday season!
erin’s Recommendations
Holiday Bundle
Got this for the parents/in-laws, my mentor, and folks I couldn’t decide what to get so got them a little of everything they can split up and share or enjoy together!
18pc Holiday Truffle Box
Got this to share at the dinners I have to go to.
9pc Holiday Truffle Box
Got this for the couples who enjoy the finer things in life and who really appreciate quality over quantity.
4pc Holiday Truffle Box
Got this for the single guys and gals or as a gift to parent friends to enjoy while the kids play with their toys!
Hot Cocoa Mix
Got a ton of these! This is going to everyone. Young folks, old folks, folks on the mainland in cold weather. Nothing like a hot cup of cocoa!
Chocolate Cake Snug In A Mug
Also got a ton of these for any household that had kids or for those looking for a little fun, a little experience, and a decadent warm chocolate cake to make at home! Great for shipping too!
Solid Dark Chocolate Bar
Got this one for anyone health conscious, for gifts to ship, and for anyone with an affiliation to UH Manoa since this was a special collaboration custom design made with the UH engineering students!
Santa’s Oreo Stacks
Got a few of these for stocking stuffers and to pair with larger gifts.
Merry Mint Bar
Got this for family and friends I give gifts to all year (like neighbors) because this one is made once a year only and can easily be broken and shared into 18 refreshing squares.
Crunch a le`a Christmas Cheer
Got a few of these extra just in case I forget someone and if not, I will eat them!
Gift Cards
Got the NEW designed gift cards to carry around and hand out just in case.
Gift Bags
Got a bunch of these NEW red gift bags so I don’t have to stress about what to put gifts in and at $2 per bag, these are a steal compared to the soaring price of gift bags out there!