Stressfrei Schenken zu Weihnachten

Stress-Free Gifting: 20 Tips for a Relaxed Holiday Season

The holiday season is approaching, and with it often comes the pressure to find the perfect gifts for everyone. But instead of stressing out, you can stay relaxed with the right planning and a few clever ideas. Here are 20 tips to master gift-giving without stress and enjoy the holiday season.


Start early and stay organized

  • Start early
    Plan your gifts in the fall. This way, you have plenty of time to search for the perfect presents without the last-minute stress right before Christmas.
  • Create a gift list
    Write a list where you note down what you want to give to each person. This helps you stay organized and ensures you don’t forget anyone.
  • Set a budget
    Set a budget for each gift. This way, you avoid being surprised by your bank balance at the end of the month and keep everything under control.
  • Buy gifts in stages
    Spread your shopping over several weeks or months. This prevents you from having to do everything at once and helps you stay organized.

Smart shopping strategies

  • Shop online
    Avoid the stress of crowded stores and order your gifts online. Many shops offer discounts or free shipping during the holiday season.
  • Avoid peak times in stores
    If you prefer shopping in person, go during less busy times—like mornings during the week. This saves you time and stress.
  • Use wish lists
    Ask your loved ones for their wish lists or use the wishlist features on online stores. This way, you know exactly what they want and don’t have to guess.
  • Team up for gift shopping
    Share the shopping tasks with a friend or partner. It’s more fun together, and you can support each other.

Creative gift ideas without stress

  • Gift shared experiences
    Material gifts are nice, but shared time often creates longer-lasting memories. Give experiences like a trip together, concert tickets, or a cozy dinner.
  • Give gift cards
    Gift cards are practical and flexible. This way, the recipient can choose something they truly enjoy. Wrap the gift card creatively to make it more personal.
  • Handmade gifts
    DIY gifts are personal and show that you’ve put thought into them. Whether it’s homemade jam, handmade jewelry, or a photo book—there are no limits to your creativity.
  • Themed gifts
    Set a specific theme for your gifts. For example, “Wellness at Home” or “Everything in Red.” This gives you a clear focus and helps you shop accordingly.

Reduce stress: Efficient gift-giving

  • Secret Santa or gift exchange
    Instead of buying a gift for everyone, organize a Secret Santa or gift exchange. Each person only receives one gift, reducing the pressure to find something for everyone.
  • Use neutral gift wrapping
    If you choose neutral wrapping paper, you can reuse it for multiple occasions. This saves you time and money, and you don’t have to find a unique design for each person.
  • Use gift wrapping services
    Many stores offer gift wrapping services during the holiday season. Take advantage of this service if you don’t enjoy wrapping or are short on time.
  • Plan relaxation breaks
    Take conscious breaks while searching for or preparing gifts. A relaxing tea or a short walk can help you recharge your energy.

Stay flexible and enjoy the moment

  • Stay flexible
    Things don’t always have to be perfect. If a gift doesn’t arrive on time or isn’t exactly what you imagined, don’t stress—it’s the thought that counts.
  • Treat yourself
    Amid all the holiday hustle and bustle, don’t forget to treat yourself too. Give yourself something small that makes you happy or helps you relax, because you should enjoy the holiday season as well.

Got a cool idea that’s not on our list?
Just drop us an email at hello@28ideas.com

Share article

* Affiliate links (If you click on one of these links and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the website. We use this money to fund 28ideas and continue to bring you lots of ideas).

Register for our Newsletter

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive updates on our latest articles.

By registering, you agree that we may use your data (email address) to send you our newsletter. Your data will be transmitted to our newsletter provider Mailchimp (USA, EU-US Privacy Shield certified).

What affiliate links are and why we use them

We use affiliate links on our website. If you buy something through one of these links, we may receive a small commission. This income helps us to cover the costs of running our site and to continue to offer you high-quality content. There are no additional costs for you and it is an easy way to support our work. We take care to only recommend products and services that meet our high quality standards and that can be genuinely useful to you. Your trust is very important to us and we thank you very much for your support.