Dakota Beacon

Only a few days remain until Santa’s big day. For those lagging behind in their Christmas shopping, time is running out. We are down to crunch time. Good luck ordering gifts “on line” and expecting to receive them before Christmas. What with company layoffs, inflation, supply chain issues, strikes, and other delays chances are risky that purchases made now will arrive before Christmas. You are tardy unless you don’t mind giving gifts late.

Not to fear! It’s for others to worry and get up tight. After all, it’s Christmas time -- the season to be jolly. Let nothing steal your joy. Besides, as an experienced procrastinator, I’m here to give all the advice you need.

Christmas shopping crunch assumes two forms: a) you don’t know what to buy, or b) you haven’t bought it yet. Put these two together and you double your fun!

Make a list of recipients along with possible gifts as they occur to you. Think of the list not as a finished product, but rather as a work in progress. With all the Holiday falderal, don’t trust your memory.

A quick way to acquire gift ideas might be to cruise the mall (or “maul” if you enjoy fighting crowds). In effect, you overcome inertia by doing what you should have done weeks ago. While scanning the material opulence, think of recent conversations you have had with your intended gift recipients. Think of their likes, dislikes, desires, and wishes. Think of their hobbies, activities, and interests. If you care about that person, it won’t take long to note a couple of possibilities. An old adage still holds, “It’s the thought that counts.” Put some thought into it.

A word to the wise. Know your recipient. Food gifts are okay depending on the recipient. Shame on you if you give candies, cakes, and cookies to someone you know is trying to lose weight. But, not everyone struggles with weight. A splendid bottle of some adult beverage might not be warmly received by a teetotaler.

Another word of caution. When buying a gift, buy it for the other person, not for yourself. Unless you plan to borrow whatever you give, plan for your gift to be something personal that only they will use and appreciate. Note I said “use.” A gift need not be utilitarian. But whatever the gift, be sure it is for their use and not communal use. Certainly a non-utilitarian gift may be appreciated by others, but remember it’s the recipient you want to make feel special.

When buying books or DVDs take care your gift is not intended to sway or proselytize. A gift given in hopes of changing another person may risk alienating or creating resentment instead. On the other hand, if friendly persuasion is intended, go for it. Just beware of the consequences.

When all else fails, consider the easy way out. Give a gift card -- or cash. Although this provides an almost foolproof solution to the gift giver’s dilemma, again, buyer beware. First, a gift card or cash appears very impersonal. It tells the recipient that you don’t know them very well. Still, this option fares better than an empty stocking on Christmas morning. Second, don’t skimp. If you skimp, your gift will not only appear impersonal, you will also look like an uncaring cheapskate. In other words, done improperly, you could be worse off presenting a gift card or cash than making an excuse for no gift at all.

Here’s what you do. Buy the gift card for $50 or more from a store you know the recipient frequents or whose products they probably use. Then, engage your imagination when wrapping the present to make it appear enticing. Consider a big box, with the smaller gift wrapped box inside. Or, prepare the package to rattle when shaken. A little mystery whets the curiosity.

Unless you have kids around the house, it’s best not to hide your gifts at this late date. It’s wiser and simpler and safer to wrap them and put them under the Christmas tree. The last thing you need is to misplace the gifts in some secret place and then panic on Christmas Eve when you forget where you put them. I did that once and ended up giving my wife her Christmas gift on Valentine’s Day. If you do have kids, invoke your imagination once again. Hide the gifts in plain sight where only you can see them.

By the way, don’t forget to include a gift receipt in case the recipient welcomes the gift but needs to exchange it.

These suggestions are humbly offered to sustain the season’s joy while enduring the Christmas crunch. Come to think of it, someone might be using this advice right now to buy a Christmas gift for you!

Merry Christmas!

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).