My 3 Gift-buying Tricks To Shop Like a Pro This Holiday Season

Gift Buying in 3 Easy Steps

I absolutely love this time of year, but honestly who doesn’t!? Every year a handful of my best girls and I each swap gifts. It’s one of my favorite things about the holidays! It also means I have a lot to buy. I end up spending a good amount of time finding the right gift for each person. I don’t want to wrap up just anything”¦I want it to be extra meaningful! So over the years of gift swapping, I’ve come up with my little plan for getting the gifts I want to give and also staying within budget!

Details:

Francescas Dress (on sale for 20% off!) // Boots // Bag // Jacket

Step 1. List it out!

Before I even head out to the stores I make a list. I usually use a spreadsheet to map out who I’m buying for and what. Having a list helps keep you from leaving anyone out which is never a good thing, trust me! Once I have my list I can get a better idea of how much I can spend per person”¦ This step is truly helpful! Because as much as I want to be Oprah and give everyone a car, I’ve just got too many girlfriends for that!

For the Hostess Girl ““ All together under $45

Cream Sequined Wine Bag // Gold Rimmed Champagne Glasses // Rebekah Square Drop Earrings 

Step 2. Personality Type

Next I make a little note about each girlfriend’s personality. Are they extra Fancy? Sophisticated? Trendy? I jot little ideas next to their names so I know, for example, that “Katherine ““ trendy, loves millennial pink” so when I’m out shopping I have some ideas. Because if there is one thing I do and do well is impulse buy. So always bring that list!

For the Color Obsessed Girl – All together under $60

Nisha Hair Bow Ties // Volcano Blue Candle // Juliet Linear Earrings In Multi

Step 3. Build a Gift Box

Sometimes I can’t seem to find that one, single, perfect gift for someone. When that happens I try to remember that 2-3 small gifts can be just as fun as a single “big gift.” So I shift gears and I try to find a few things that all go together to build a gift box that is really special! People love when they open a gift and it just keeps going. So a few small things can keep the gift experience fun!

For the Millennial Pink Girl – All together under $75

Alani Pearl Wrapped Hoop Earrings // Ella Crushed Velvet Ruana // Blush Darlie Bow Backless Loafers

Hopefully those three tips will help you when you head out shopping this holiday season and keep you from getting overwhelmed in the processes! Also, don’t forget to swing by your local francescas to find gifts for all of your girlfriends this season, plus pick up a little something for yourself as well! Because honestly”¦ are you really going to be able to go all season without this pretty pink fuzzy coat?! No, you are not.

Happy shopping friends!

P.S. Francescas is running a 20% off everything sale right now, so if I were you I’d stock up on stocking stuffers! 

In partnership with francescas and ShopStyle

Photography by Ryan Chambers & Zach Chambers