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Build a seasonal gift guide from what is on your shelves

Build a holiday gift guide, such as gifts under $25, from your current inventory export, using only items with enough stock and the prices you set.

Who it suits

Independent shop owner, small online store owner, shop manager

Time saved

About 2 to 3 hours per gift guide (estimate)

Level

Medium

Updated

Oct 14, 2026

Why this task

Shoppers in a neighborhood stationery and home goods shop ask the same thing every December: 'What can I get my sister for under $25?' A gift guide answers that on the website, in the newsletter and on little cards by the shelf, but picking 20 items from hundreds and writing a line for each takes an afternoon the owner does not have. An assistant can sort a current inventory export into price bands and themes, skip anything running low, and write short gift blurbs. The owner makes the final picks and checks every price before anything is shared.

You build a gift guide for [SHOP NAME], a [TYPE, for example neighborhood stationery and home goods shop], for [SEASON OR HOLIDAY].

Inventory export (the only source for items, prices and stock):
[PASTE ITEM NAME, CATEGORY, RETAIL PRICE, QUANTITY ON HAND]

Guide sections and price limits:
[FOR EXAMPLE: Under $25; For the host, $20 to $60; Stocking stuffers, under $12]

Minimum on hand to include an item: [NUMBER]
Owner's favorites to feature: [LIST]
Leave out: [LIST, for example special orders, discontinued items]
Shop services and dates the owner confirms: [FOR EXAMPLE gift wrapping, last day to order for holiday shipping, OR 'none']
Voice: [TONE, for example warm, a little witty]

Do the following:
1. Place 5 to 8 items in each section. Use only items from the export with at least the minimum on hand and a price inside that section's limit. Each item may appear in one section only.
2. Feature the owner's favorites where they fit.
3. For each item, write the item name and price exactly as exported and a gift blurb of 15 to 25 words saying who it suits. Describe only what the item name and category support; if you would need more detail, write [OWNER TO DESCRIBE].
4. Write an introduction of 40 to 60 words for the top of the guide.
5. Write shelf card text for the top three picks: 12 words or fewer, plus the price.

Rules:
- Never change, round or invent a price, and never mention stock levels in the guide.
- Do not promise delivery by a holiday, gift wrapping or discounts unless they appear in the shop services line above.
- Do not make health or wellness claims about any item.

Then list the items you left out and why, for example low stock or a price outside every section. Do not publish anything.

Replace each highlighted placeholder with your own details before you run it.

Steps

1. Export your current inventory from your point of sale or online store: item name, category, retail price and quantity on hand. Delete wholesale cost and supplier columns before you paste it anywhere.
2. Choose your guide sections, such as 'Under $25', 'For the host', 'Stocking stuffers' and 'For the person who has everything'. Set a minimum stock level for an item to be included, for example at least 6 on hand.
3. Note the items you love or want to move, and items to leave out, such as special orders or anything being discontinued.
4. Paste the export, your sections and your notes into the prompt below.
5. Review the picks. Swap any you would not recommend face to face, and check every price against your point of sale.
6. Walk the shelves and count your top picks. Counts in the system drift during the season, so check before the guide goes out.
7. Approve the final guide, then share it on your website, in your newsletter and on shelf talkers (the small cards on the shelf). A person publishes or sends it.
8. Rerun the prompt each week of the season with a fresh export so sold-out items come off the guide.

What you get

A ready to edit guide with themed sections, real items at their exported prices, short gift blurbs and shelf card text for the top picks. A list of skipped items shows the owner what was left out and why.

What can go wrong, and the check for each

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