It’s that time of year when we Aunties brave the masses to find holiday gifts for our beloved nieces and nephews.  But it isn’t always easy to find the perfect present. I’ve compiled a few strategies that I’ve learned in the past few years while heading into the trenches to do my holiday shopping.

1.    Know Before You Go
Last year both of my sisters made wish lists online for my niece and nephew. Many online retailers have them, and it helps take some of the guess work out of shopping.  You won’t have to wonder if they already have to toy and you can get an idea of the types of things they are currently into. If you can’t get your hands on a wish list, take the time to talk to the parents about what your niece or nephew has asked for or get a copy of their letter to Santa.

2.    Coordinate With Other Family Members
Last year, my sister and I both purchased the same adorable snow suit for my nephew. This cost me an extra trip back to the store to exchange it for something else.  This year, I’ve made sure to ask everyone what they plan on buying, so we can try to avoid any duplicates. I’ve already dodged this again since my mother and I were both planning on buying monogrammed bathrobes for the kids. It’s also a good idea to get gift receipts—just in case.

3.    Get The Right Sizes
If you are thinking of buying clothes, ask the parents to give you a list of sizes at their favorite stores. Kids can fit into different sizes at a variety of retailers, so you want to make sure you get a good fit. Plus, sometimes parents need clothes for different seasons, so you may want to go a size up.

4.    Check The Age Grading
Even though that dollhouse might look really awesome, your niece may not be ready for it just yet. Toys and games are marked for ages for a reason. You niece or nephew may not understand the toy or they could have some parts that could be hazardous. Most products have the suggested ages listed on the packaging. If you’re shopping online, check out the product description.

5.    Remember Mom & Dad
Sure, that toy looks really awesome, but how fun will it be for the parents to listen to the same sound effects over and over again? My general rule of thumb is to stick with one noisy toy per kid.

6.    Don’t Go Overboard
This is the rule I have to tell myself over and over again. It might seem like there are so many options out there these days—and there are—but that doesn’t mean you have to get all of them! Set a budget and stick to it. You don’t need to break the bank to show how much you care.

Do you have any great tips for shopping for your nieces and nephews? Share them in the Comments section below!