In today’s installment of why holiday planning is stressful, I want to look at the stress surrounding gift-giving. While crowded malls and credit card statements can cause stress, the root of the problem is far more basic.

Put simply, we are far too used to buying what we want when we want it.

I cannot tell you the numberof people who have said to me, “I don’t want anything for Christmas. When I want something, I just buy it for myself.” Then, when people do want to give you a gift, they typically fall back on gift cards or generic gifts that are unstaisfying and often wasted.

If we didn’t focus on our own immediate gratification, people would know what to get us. "Jill loves
Kelly Clarkson. I’ll get her Kelly’s new album." " Brad needs a new saute pan. I’ll get him one at that cute little gourmet shop."

Too bad. Brad and Jill already bought what they wanted.

So give people a break. Stop buying everything you want when you want it. You’ll save money and you’ll make everyone’s preparations easier.

I’ll get off my soapbox now. (It was a very thoughtful gift from Santa. Good thing I hadn’t bought one myself.)