3 Tips How to Avoid Returns after Christmas | Includes Gift Ideas
Today, I’m sharing 3 tips to avoid returns after Christmas.
Plus, some gift ideas!
We all know standing in the returns line after Christmas is a drag!
In the moment we think, wow, that would be the perfect gift!
But to find out, it just wasn’t.
That is the worst!
Today, I’m sharing 3 tips to avoid taking returns back to the store after Christmas.
Who’s ready to hear how?
Tip #1 to avoid returns:
Don’t buy a gift.
You’re probably saying, what?
I’m not saying don’t get anything.
Instead, find out what their favorite store is.
Most of the time, you already know.
Go to that store or online and get a gift card.
For example, my son loves iTunes.
Getting him a gift card to buy his favorite album would really make his Christmas.
It sounds cheesy and unpersonal.
But to avoid the long returns line, giving a gift card is really smart.
Here’s a link to Amazon’s gift card, here.
Make the gift card for a large amount that’s enough to get something amazing.
Like a game console or a TV. Here’s a link to PlayStation gift card.
Or, if there’s a budget restriction, which a lot of us are experiencing this year, make it for $10 to their favorite coffee shop.
Like Starbucks. Here’s a pack of four $10 gift cards here.
Tip #2 to avoid returns:
As Black Friday approaches, let me give you an idea that will help avoid returns after Christmas.
This may go against tradition.
But let me explain it and see what you think.
Instead of giving gifts Christmas morning.
Take your kids, spouse and/or family member to go shopping on Black Friday.
Let them choose what store they want to go to.
It could be a clothing store, sporting goods or even Target.
Give them a price limit of $50 to $100, for example.
Let them pick out what they want and you buy it for them.
Tell them this is their Christmas present.
It’s actually a lot of fun .
It’s a day out with the fam and a great memory.
After all, who doesn’t like getting something new?
To make it even more fun, go out to lunch or get a hot cocoa for everyone while shopping on Black Friday.
Then on Christmas morning, have their stocking full of fun little things and maybe a treat or two.
Like old fashioned chocolates, here, or their favorite candy bar.
Tip #3 to avoid returns:
Every year my husband and I are faced with what to buy for our kids for Christmas.
One year, we decided not to give the kids gifts.
Instead, we woke up on Christmas morning in a magical town called Leavenworth in WA state.
We spent 3 whole days there during Christmas, walking the cold snowy sidewalks, going to all the gift shops.
Did I mention the lights?
Millions of lights are put up each year. See the photo below. Magical!!!
The fun part was going out to lunch and dinner to different restaurants in the area.
I made a reservation at an Italian restaurant several weeks prior to arriving.
Because of that, we walked past a huge line of people waiting to be seated, and was seated right away.
We were like, Wow!
Once we received our food, we knew why there was a big line.
It was so good we still talk about it today.
The biggest highlights were going on a sleigh ride that was pulled by huge Clydesdale horses.
Plus, we had the privilege to pet some real reindeer.
It was so memorable, we ended up doing it three years in a row. We loved it so much!
The point of my story is instead of a present, plan a Christmas family vacation.
Or a special outing just for the day that would be memorable for everyone.
When our kids were little, going to Chuck E. Cheese was a blast!
Other ideas of outings to go to:
- Indoor Go Karts
- Kid Museum, to name a few.
Or plan a vacation somewhere warm and on the beach.
Or like we did, go somewhere that feels like winter wonderland.
Book a vacation home over Christmas break using Airbnb, for example.
Find a cabin or cottage with a cozy fireplace and vintage charm.
You don’t even have to leave.
Stay in and enjoy the warmth and feels of being in a cozy chalet, cottage or cabin.
Drink hot chocolate and watch old vintage movies as a family.
Or cozy up to a fire like the photo below.
What incredible memories to give your family for Christmas!
We’ve done that many times when the weather was cold and our family needed to get away.
It was the best Christmas experience we’ll never forget!
Plan a year in advance to reserve a cabin or cottage.
If it’s super cute and affordable, they are usually booked a year out.
I’ve booked vacation homes months in advance and it was so worth it!
Just another little tip for you.
I hope this gave you some ideas how to avoid returns of gifts after Christmas.
If you have more ideas, please share them below in the comments.
For more inspirations check out my post where I share “3 things to get ready for Thanksgiving now.” Link is here.
Plus, some Christmas gift ideas for the whole family. Link is here.
Thanks for coming by Victorian Lane Farms.
Bye for now!
Great tips Esther! We decided as a family with adult children that we would skip the gift-giving and instead put the money we would have spent towards a long weekend at an Air B&B in the summer. We had a great time! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Thanks, Cindy. What great memories you and your family made! I think those are the most valuable gifts. Thanks for coming by!