🌟 The Secret to Stress-Free Holidays: Build Your Holiday Gift Planner

Thais Queiroz
Oct 27
3 min read

Why Holiday Gift Shopping Feels So Stressful (and How to Fix It)

The holidays should be about warmth, joy, and connection—not frantic shopping trips and maxed-out credit cards. Yet every year, so many of us fall into the same trap: the desperate, last-minute hunt for that “perfect” holiday gift that ends up feeling rushed and impersonal.

Every year I see people scrambling for last-minute presents. My mom is that person. She always swears, “This year will be different!” And every December 22nd, she calls me asking, “Can you come with me to the mall?”

So, to save her (and myself) from the annual chaos, I came up with a solution:

✏️ Build Your Holiday Gift Planner

The secret to stress-free, thoughtful gifting isn’t about finding the right store—it’s about planning ahead and paying attention.

Your Gift Planner becomes a running log of all the hints, wishes, and clues your loved ones drop throughout the year. It’s your personal detective file for meaningful gift ideas. I like to call mine the Gifting Detective Dossier.

Step 1: Write Down Who’s on Your List

Start by listing everyone you want to gift—family, friends, coworkers, neighbors. This step alone will save you from that “Oh no, I forgot Aunt Suzy!” moment on Christmas Eve.

Don’t worry about the gifts yet—just the people.

Step 2: Gather the Clues

Now, channel your inner detective! Throughout the year, listen for gift clues and jot them down right away.

Here’s what to notice:

The Complains & Wishes: Did they mention something they need or something that broke? That’s a perfect starting point.
The Hobbies & Passions: What are they currently obsessed with?
Style & Scent: Note details like favorite colors (“She loves jewel tones”) or scents (“He’s into cedar and bergamot”). This ensures you keep THEM in mind when thinking of a gift instead of focusing on yourself.
Life Moments & Needs: Did they just move? Start a new job? Plan a big trip?

Keep your Gift Planner somewhere easy to access—your phone’s Notes app, a small notebook, or a private Notion board. It’s your place to record the clues people drop without even knowing it.

A great gift isn’t about the price tag—it’s about how perfectly it fits the person receiving it.

When the holidays roll around, open your planner and see several thoughtful options for each person. No stress, no guessing—just genuine, meaningful giving.

🎁 The Power of Handmade Gifts

Want to take your gifting game to the next level? Try handmade gifts.

I'm a huge believer that custom-made, handmade gifts win every time. They don't just say, "I got you something." They say, "I spent my time and energy thinking about you and making something specifically for you." That's a feeling a credit card transaction just can't buy.

They’re also perfect for those “hard-to-shop-for” people—because they definitely don’t have this.

If you're ready to embrace a slower, more meaningful holiday, here are some tips for making the switch to thoughtful, handmade gifting.

Match Your Talents to Their Needs

Ask yourself:

What do I love to make? (Drawing, cooking, ceramics, knitting, sewing?)
What would they enjoy receiving that I could make myself?

Use your detective notes to connect your talents with each person’s interests or needs.

Create Personalized Batches

Giving custom gifts is about intentionality, not exhaustion. If your list is long, you can still keep it personal while saving time.

Find an Overlap: Choose a base idea that fits many people (candles, scarves, spice blends, art prints).
Personalize the Details: Use your planner clues—favorite colors, motifs, scents—to make each gift unique.

Same craft, totally different, heartfelt results.

🌿 Ready to Create Meaningful, Custom Gifts?

If the idea of making one-of-a-kind gifts excites you but you’re not sure where to start, I’ve got you covered.

Digital art is one of the easiest and most versatile ways to craft beautiful, personalized presents. You can turn your creations into prints, cards, mugs, and more—all from your tablet or laptop.