Done Shopping By December Challenge
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Welcome to the Done Shopping by December Challenge! Who’s ready for a less stressful holiday season?!🙋♀️
We’ll drop into your inbox with emails to keep you on track to be done shopping be December.
Think of our messages as 1 part motivation + 1 part inspiration + 1 part accountability. Like a workout buddy, where the workout is…well, shopping.
Before you get started: Create your master who-to-buy-for list
Challenge yourself to think about EVERYONE you might need to buy for (copy and complete this Google doc template to walk you through your brainstorm). This also means you’ll need to start the family and friend group texts about exchanging/drawing names if that’s something you do.
Task #1: Choose a Tracking System & Start Research
Choose a Tracking System
Once you have your list of the people to shop for, it’s time to decide how to track your shopping. It’s important to keep track of what you’ve ordered, gift ideas you’ve given away and what you still want to buy.
- Option 1: Keep using the Google doc from our brainstorm template or transfer your who-to-buy-for list to a format you like. Save it where you can easily find it and access from your phone on the go.
A screenshot of my color-coded Google doc is below. Green = purchased, red = need-to-purchase, blue = gift ideas given away. Crossed-out items have been wrapped.
- Option 2: Transfer your who-to-buy-for list to the Notes app on your phone. Add emojis to track progress: 🛒 for purchased, 🎁 for wrapped, ➡️ for idea given to someone.
- Option 3: Handwrite your list in a planner or other document to tuck in your purse.
Start Research
Add gift ideas to your list. Places to find ideas:
- Talk to the people on your list about what they want
- Swap ideas with other moms, siblings, friends
- Check SALT effect gift guides online (see all of our gift guides here) or jump into our Facebook groups for more gift ideas for tween/teen boys or tween/teen girls.
Add things like links and sizes if you have them. Make a note on any gift ideas you plan to pass along to family members.
Task #2: Make Decisions & Assignments (Place Orders Round 1)
Make Decisions
Jump into your tracking system and see where you stand on gift ideas.
- Make sure gift lists are fairly equal between kids
- Make sure there are gift ideas for ALL people on your list (if you need more ideas, we have some great gift guides)
Make Assignments
Send gift ideas to grandparents/aunts/uncles and anyone else who buys for your family.
Place Personalized Orders
Place orders NOW for personalized or photo gifts. We’re talking Etsy gifts (look at these personalized Stanley nameplates!), photo calendars or gifts, Christmas cards, custom ornaments. These gifts take longer to process.
Order Other “For Sure” Gifts
If there are any gift ideas you know are definite, consider placing those order now. Most stores will refund the difference if you see items at a lower price between now and Christmas.
EXCEPTION: Don’t order gifts that are likely to be marked down on Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Things like Amazon products and larger electronics. Mark those on your tracking sheet as things to order Thanksgiving weekend.
Task #3: Shop for “Other” Holiday Items Part 1
What the heck are “other” items?
- Stocking stuffers (it’s nearly impossible to do this in one trip and it gets mega stressful and expensive to find them last-minute)
- Wrapping supplies (tissue paper, wrapping paper, tape, gift bags, boxes, labels, bows, tins)
- Gift cards (for anyone from teachers to teenagers)
- Holiday/hostess/friend gifts (might be worth getting a couple just to have on hand – see ideas below)
- Advent calendar candy/items (we have some suggestions)
So what should I DO to start shopping for “other” holiday items?
Put time on your calendar to go to two stores in the next week to intentionally look for these items. This might mean putting a special trip to Target in your to-do list. OR…you can double dip. So instead of ordering my groceries online to pick up and go, I plan to go into the store and walk through aisles looking for stocking stuffers and grabbing gift cards.
If those two stores don’t finish things up, leave a standing item on your to-do or grocery list to be looking for final stocking stuffers or other items.
HELP! Store ideas?!?
Grocery stores, Five Below, Target, dollar stores, candy and other specialty shops, Homegoods, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby/Joann/Michaels, Claire’s, World Market, Container Store
Other Things That Might Be Helpful
32 Great Christmas Activities & Traditions for Teenagers
Stocking stuffers for big kids (We polled the college students in our classroom and found ourselves stealing ideas for our tweens and teens. They showed me this MagSafe wallet that magnetizes to the back of your phone case to hold credit cards and a license. So pop it on and off when you want use it. Getting one for my son…)
Top Christmas Gifts for your Mom Friends
Hostess/Friend Gifts to Keep on Hand
- Wine (I’m swooning over this Toast to the Host wine label on Etsy. You can choose wine or champagne size and they stick it in the mail to you – so you don’t even have to find sticker paper or print.)
- Holiday tea towels
- Candles
- Food/candy gifts (peppermint bark, Ghirardelli chocolate squares)
- Flavored coffees
- Mugs
- Books/cookbooks
- Small gift cards
Task #4: Shop for “Other” Holiday Items Part 2
- Finish up the majority of stocking stuffer, advent & wrapping items. I ordered several personalized gifts✔️ But I honestly made zero progress on stocking stuffers or a Christmas card, so I’ve got work to do.
- Think about holiday events and any supplies they require. For example, if you want to do a hot chocolate bar for a party, or make gingerbread house or homemade cinnamon rolls, get the nonperishable supplies and storage containers now. They’ll keep! Add supplies to Amazon, grocery or other shopping lists.
- Look for ways to give back this holiday season. Many opportunities require buying early so there’s time to organize, wrap and deliver before Christmas. Look for emails from schools, churches and nonprofits or reach out to ask. We’re running our annual hoodie drive to support one of our favorite local nonprofits – Star House – which provides resources to youth experiencing homelessness. If you would like to donate hoodies, it’s easy and now’s the time to shop!
👈👈 Stocking stuffer ideas for teens. Find a few things on this list that seem perfect for where your teens are or what they’re into these days. Order those and then supplement with candy and toiletries.
👈👈 Scan this list of 32 great Christmas activities and traditions for teens to consider some ideas for this holiday season.
👈👈 See our list of the top Christmas party ideas for teens. Theme parties, craft parties, food parties, gift exchange ideas and games.
Reminder of what’s included in “other” items…
- Stocking stuffers
- Wrapping supplies (tissue paper, wrapping paper, tape, gift bags, boxes, labels, bows, tins)
- Gift cards (for anyone from teachers to teenagers)
- Holiday/hostess/friend gifts (might be worth getting a couple just to have on hand – see ideas below)
- Advent calendar candy/items
- Supplies for parties or events you’re planning for the holiday season
HELP! Store ideas?!?
Grocery stores, Target, Dollar stores, candy and other specialty shops, Homegoods, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby/Joann/Michaels, Claire’s, World Market
Task #5: Make the Most of Black Friday & Cyber Monday
Pull out that planning doc or whatever you’ve been using as your Christmas shopping home base. The master list of who you’re buying for, what you have and what you need. The goal is to purchase or place orders for nearly all remaining gifts.
Check for deals on wish-list items, but also watch for free gift cards and other rewards deals.
- Lululemon: They rarely do this, but lululemon says they will offer exclusive Black Friday finds and Cyber Monday scores. But they will have limited quantities, and when they’re gone, they’re gone..
- Fat Brain Toys: Free $20 gift card when you spend $10. Use code FS-3794.
- Hurley: 40% off almost everything sitewide for Black Friday. Purchase a $100 Hurley gift card for $80.
- Fanatics: up to 40% off sitewide with code: BF23
- Old Navy: Online Exclusive 35% off purchase (even clearance). 50% off when you use a Gap Inc. credit card with code: EARLY (valid through 11/23)
- Crocs: Take $15 off your $75 purchase with code SAVE15 at Crocs.com. Take $20 off your $100 purchase with code SAVE 20. Stackable. No exclusions.
- Kiwi Crate: Try a subscription for $4.95 (regularly $23.95) for your first month with code GIFT. Up to 30% off KiwiCo Store with code GIFT (ends 11/27).
- Etsy: Up to 60% off
- Pura Vida: 40% off sitewide + free shipping + free gift with every purchase
- Columbia: 25% off everything | Up to 60% off doorbusters | 40% off select footwear| Free shipping on all orders.
- Homage: 20% off site-wide (some exclusions apply). NFL x STARTER Satin & NFL x STARTER Pullover jackets ARE included, and they rarely go on sale. Free Go-To Hoodie in your choice of color with a purchase of $200+.
