how to buy presents for others without stressing out

One day you are minding your own business and then the calendar reminds you that your mom’s birthday is coming up or an email pops up in your inbox with a baby shower invitation, and you’re like, “Whut!?” Who has time to pick up a present? And what are you going to get them?

Don’t worry, there’s an easy way to prepare for such occasions:

Buy a bundle of cards: Instead of spending time looking for cards, grab one of these Hallmark All Occasion Boxed Set of Assorted Blank Greeting Cards. It provides cards for every occasion (pictured here), including birthdays, graduations, housewarmings and showers.

Here are some ideas for gifts:

• Everybody has to shower (or at least we hope so), so bath and body products are always nice. And everybody must eat, so restaurant gift cards make a good choice.

• Other thoughtful gifts: plants; books; theater, concert or sports tickets; memberships to a local museum; and gift cards to a movie theater or streaming service.

• If your recipients are hard to buy for, your recipient can buy almost anything with an Amazon gift card.

• For someone who has everything, a gift to a nonprofit organization, such as Doctors Without Borders, Heifer International or World Central Kitchen is a thoughtful gesture.

• For baby and wedding showers and housewarming parties, check their registry.

Grab a bundle of bags. And buy some craft paper bags (like these from Bag Dream) to keep handy, so you don’t have to run around searching for gift wrap.

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