I have never been one to do Christmas shopping before late November – aside from the occasional find during garage sale season.  However, if you have family overseas (or your church has adopted a family overseas), then keep in mind that packages can take 2-4 weeks to arrive, so it’s time to start shopping!

Don’t panic too much, because I’ve compiled some anxiety-free tips to make the giving season more joyful!

1. Bring someone along that is the same age as those you’re shopping for.  You don’t have to worry about not knowing what the kids are into if you bring one the same age! PRO TIP: Bring their mom along with you as well.  She’ll be able to advise you on a good price or if the gift will be acceptable to the parents, too, because some kids have wish lists that aren’t parent approved.  Plus she’ll get gift ideas for her own children while watching them help you!
2. Add some flourish.  Holidays are celebrated differently overseas.  All of the trimmings that are just background for us in the States are usually not available in other countries.  Adding a holiday tablecloth (paper is fine), napkins, cookie decorations, window stickers, or battery-operated lights (electric outlets are different overseas) is a fun way to add some instant festivity!
3. Think flat. Stickers, coloring books, a collection of Sunday comics, magazines, spice packets, fridge magnets, accessories, card games…. If you bring someone along to help you shop, it can be a fun scavenger hunt to only buy flat-ish items.  PRO TIP: If you can get your entire package flat, you can send it in a padded envelope instead of a box.  The postage will be cheaper and arrive there faster!
4. A kick of flavor will spice things up.  There are soooooo many seasonal flavors that are easy to add to a package.  Hot chocolate or cider instant mixes, seasoning packets, single serving instant coffee (read: Starbucks), seasonal Oreos…  Hold on a minute while I take a snack break… PRO TIP: Choose things that don’t melt if left too long.  If you’re sending a food item that could be crushed (Pop Tarts were one of my favorite items to receive), nestle it in a food storage box, like Gladware.
5. Don’t forget digital gifts!  We live in a digital age and almost everyone has smartphones.  While Amazon doesn’t ship to every country, people can still get e-books and digital downloads (music, TV shows, and movies) with an Amazon gift card.  Don’t forget about Google Play and iTunes gift cards, too!  Be sure to ask them which gift card they could use.  For example, nobody in my family has an iPhone, iPod, iPad, iAnything, so an iTunes gift card would not do us any good.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if this list sparked ideas or questions.  I’d love to help you more!!!

Thanks for reading!  This is just one of my ways of putting a smile back in the world!