Avoid the stress of the 'Christmas rush'

With Thanksgiving being later this year, it seems like the usual "Christmas rush" is even more rushed, as the number of shopping days 'til Christmas after Thanksgiving is actually fewer than most years. Yet, there is much shopping to be done, with consumers in the United States spending a record of over $960 billion in holiday sales in 2023 and more expected this year. If you are having trouble with last minute gift ideas, I have some good news. One, recent research at Ohio State University has determined that giving gifts "late" is not the end of the world. Two, there are many ideas for "outside of the box" gifts that show you care but do not require visiting a crowded mall or late-night cyber-shopping with extra express shipping fees. It turns out that the mantra "Better Late Than Never" is true when it comes to gift-giving. Cory Haltman, doctoral student at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, is the lead author of a study published earlier this month in the Journal of Consumer Psychology. His study explored the psychology of gift-giving. This research looked at giver-recipient mismatch, specifically the mismatch between the gift givers' and gift recipients' beliefs about the importance of a gift being on time, in relation to occasion-based gift-giving, such as holidays or birthdays. For this study, Haltman and his team completed 6 separate studies about various aspects of gift timeliness and the perceptions of the giver and the recipient. The results demonstrate that "gift-givers systematically overestimate the negative impact that a late occasion-based gift will have on their relationship with the recipient." He also found that even when gifts were sent "severely late" (up to 2 months) the "giver" tended to be much harder on themselves, giving much more weight to the late gift negatively affecting their relationship than the potential receiver was. This attitude puts unnecessary pressure and stress on the giver, related to consequences that were based on perceived social norms rather than the strength of their friendship or relationship. So, if you are getting your cards or gifts out a bit late this year, keep in mind you are more worried about this than the friends or loved ones who will be receiving them. Another thing to remember, is that the thought behind a gift is usually more important than the price tag. Givers tend to feel better about the gifts they give if they have put some personal effort into making or planning the gift for the individual. This doesn't have to mean spending months quilting a personalized comforter, either. While not all of these ideas work great for "last minute" gifts and may be more appropriate for the "better late than never" approach, all will certainly be appreciated by the recipient, and help you, as the giver, feel good about honoring your loved one with something special. Some out-of-the-box gift ideas: · Create a custom photo books or calendar, which can be ordered at a local photo print shop or online · Make a donation in their name to a charity or cause the recipient cares about · Share a family heirloom, such as copies of a favorite family recipe · Give a future memory with gift certificates for experiences, which can be purchased (zoo or museum) or handmade, describing a fun day together at the beach or elsewhere · Share a hobby with a few simple supplies and a gift a certificate for a baking, craft, art or music lesson (taught by you or offered at a local community center) · Gift a game or spa night. Purchase a new game and snacks for a game night or fun supplies for a home spa, complete with facial masks and nail polish. · Set aside a shopping day. If you don't know what the person would like, get a downtown gift certificate, with a plan for a shopping date exploring local shops and restaurants together. I was part of recent webinar on shopping local that might give you some ideas: https://mediasite.osu.edu/Mediasite/Play/11819d9f758e4153a3891caef7228c991d Finally, for last minute gifts, don't worry over wrapping. Use a gift bag with colorful tissue (widely available a dollar-type stores), combine items in a cardboard box and wrap in a fun holiday paper, or be more practical and assemble items in a basket with some white tissue. In the case of a purchased or handmade gift certificate, put it into a card with a simple heartfelt note. Wishing you many gifts (tangible and intangible) to enjoy this holiday season and beyond! Jennifer Little is family and consumer sciences educator with Ohio State University Extension Office — Hancock County.