Comments on: Gift Closet

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:42:42 +0000

Great post! I really should borrow your gift notebook idea. With our nieces and nephews, it’s hard to keep track of which Playmobil toy you bought last year and so on. Also, sometimes we do Christmas shopping in the summer when travelling, and it’s easy to forget what you bought 5 months ago! This year we have it easy; we visited my husband’s family last month and already left behind all those Christmas gifts, so we only have a few people left to worry about.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:06:52 +0000

I like the idea of a notebook from year to year. I have moments throughout the year that I decide to plan out things to make for my family for gifts, but inevitably I can’t find the paper I was working with so I start a new list. If I had a notebook soley dedicated to this maybe I’d be a little less scattered!!

By: Cherise

Cherise — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:53:40 +0000

My gift storage consists of the floor of my closet at the moment but I am on my way downstairs for a rubbermaid tote to put everything in.

For the gift lists I use an excel spreadsheet that tracks all the names, gifts and price for the year and I also have it all totalled at the bottom with a savings schedule so I know how much I have saved and what I have yet to put into savings to pay it all off.

Between the rubbermaid container, wrapping presents early (so I don’t have to hide them), and the Christmas Budget spreadsheet I haven’t missed a sale in the last 3 years. Amazing!

PS Love your closet!

By: Jarnette

Jarnette — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:31:02 +0000

Hi Laura! I have had a ‘gift closet’ for at least 8 years. Right now, I have a designated cabinet in our closet for storing gift items.

I take advantage of all the after holiday/season sales and purchase gifts for the following year. It helps to have a list of all the birthdays and anniversaries with me. I usually buy 8-10 of the same item for Christmas gift baskets for friends, which I put together annually. Family gifts are more individualized based on interests/needs. I keep a master list every year of all the gifts I have and note who is to recieve each one. This helps when Christmas approaches as I may make some last minute purchases, as needed.

I try to keep some ‘generic’ gifts on hand for last minute giving…candles, CD’s, books, etc. for adults; DVD’s, CD’s, books, games/puzzle for children.

Times to purchase:
DURING & AFTER Back-to-School = Operation Christmas Child, general gift giving
AFTER Halloween for costumes = great for children that love dressing up…
AFTER each holiday = to build up your decorations for the following year
AFTER Christmas = gifts for the the following year (decorative tins, baskets, jars, etc. for baked goods; gift sets for birthdays & next Christmas – watch for expiration dates; theme related items to create your own gift baskets)

Hope this gives you all some ideas for the upcoming year…

Blessings as you seek to give (while saving $) ~ Jarnette

By: Organising Queen

Organising Queen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:38:31 +0000

I have a shelf in my cupboard and a plastic storage container for gifts purchased throughout the year.

And if I wrap them in advance (this was in the pre-twins days of course :)) then I put a post-it to say what’s inside.

By: Regina

Regina — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:54:23 +0000

Great ideas there Laura, I especially like the idea of the boxes for things that need to be posted. I have family that live in other states so need to be organised come birthday’s and christmas to be sure to post the gifts in time.

Looking forward to seeing your post on gift wrap station.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:37:38 +0000

Thanks for the inspiration. I cleaned my gift closet out yesterday and found a bunch of things I had forgotten about!

By: Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:33:39 +0000

Thanks for the wonderful tips. I am just in the process of organizing my closet. I am checking out the evernote.com website so I can keep notes on my cell. This will be great.
Thanks for all the great suggestions!

By: Eve

Eve — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:51:22 +0000

Hello! Just found you today and about time! I, like many, am an organized freak. Everything has a place and a list and is usually planned months in advance! I’m sure at time I terrify my scatter brain husband.

I look forward to reading more and putting your ideas/suggestions into practice!

By: Becky L

Becky L — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:30:05 +0000

The notebook idea sounds great. I think I’ll do that. I have a little two drawer rubbermaid system in my closet that I put items for gifts in and a few clothes. Need to keep that clear for gift items. Now that I have adult children and a granddaughter and daughter-in-law, it’s nice to have a place to put things for gifts when you get them. Lately it’s gonna be a his/her gift probably for this year, due to money, or lack there of.