Alright folks, Christmas is creepin’ up, and like every year, I hit that wall: “i dont know what i want for christmas”. So, this year, I decided, screw just wishing, I’m gonna figure this out like a project.
First thing I did? Brainstorm. Seriously, grabbed a notepad (yeah, old school), and just started writing down anything that popped into my head. Didn’t matter if it was a new car or a pack of gum, just dumped it all out there. It was a mess, looked like a ransom note written by a caffeinated squirrel.
Next, I tried to categorize that chaos. Broke it down into a few key areas: Stuff I actually need, stuff I’d just like to have, experiences, and stuff that would make my life easier. Turns out, a lot of the “just like to have” was really just fancy versions of “stuff I actually need”. Go figure.
Then came the hard part: Research. For the “need” category, I started digging into reviews. My ancient coffee maker was on its last legs, so I spent a solid evening watching coffee maker showdowns on YouTube. Nerdy, I know, but I ended up finding one that fit my budget and had all the features I wanted. Boom, practical item sorted.
The “experiences” bit was tougher. I’d been itching to try rock climbing, so I started looking at local gyms and intro classes. Problem was, they were all kinda pricey. So, I pivoted and started looking at at-home climbing training gear – fingerboards, resistance bands, stuff like that. Turns out, I could get a decent setup for way cheaper than a single climbing course. Scaled it back, kept the dream alive.
For the “make my life easier” section, I thought about what bugs me the most. Answer? Always losing my keys. So, I looked into those Bluetooth trackers. Spent way too long comparing different brands and their range. Settled on a pack of Tile trackers – stuck one on my keys, one on my wallet, and even one on my cat (just kidding… mostly).
Finally, the “just like to have” category. This was mostly fun stuff: video games, gadgets, that kinda thing. I decided to leave this one a bit open-ended. Figured I’d just drop a few hints to the family and see what happens. Maybe I’ll get lucky, maybe I’ll get socks. Either way, I’m covered on the practical front.
Lessons Learned:
- Brainstorming is key, even if it feels silly.
- Categorizing helps prioritize.
- Research saves you from impulse buys.
- Experiences are great, but sometimes need a budget-friendly twist.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for something practical.
So, yeah, that’s how I tackled my Christmas list conundrum. It wasn’t just about making a list, it was about thinking about what I actually wanted and needed, and then finding ways to make it happen. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go find my cat… and maybe put a tracker on her. Happy holidays, y’all!
