I’m pretty sure that we all have somewhere in our house a stash of gifts to give to others. I like to buy gifts througout the year as things go on sale. Today I’m in the process of moving my “gifts to give” collection around. I used to keep them in a dresser in the closet of my baby’s room but with the baby going to bed so early I decided I needed a new home for the gifts somewhere where I could have easier access of them in the evenings. So I’ve moved them all downstairs into my study but unfortunately I can’t move the dresser downstairs because there isn’t any room for it. So I needed to clear a cabinet in my built in bookshelf. This cabinet used to hold boardgames so I’ve moved the boardgames down to the basement which makes perfect sense since that is usually where we play them. However the only space I had downstairs was in the craft cupboard. So I had to purge out half of the craft supplies to make room for the games. Now my gift collection sits in a big pile in the middle of the study floor. In order to put them into the cupboard though I need to find suitable containers so I can sort them into categories and nothing I have seems to be working. I’d love to show you a picture because the pile really is impressive but I might give someone’s Christmas present away.
What is your system for storing “gifts to give”?
To be continued……here
warpie says
I use one of those drawer things on wheels like you have for your lightbulbs, batteries etc.
I keep smaller gifts in the top 2 drawers, wrapping, bags, scissors and tape in the bottom drawer. Larger gifts and rolls of wrapping go beside it, or on top. The whole thing sits on one side of a closet in the guest bedroom in the basement. Regifting items also hit this pile with (removeable) labels as to who from and when. I also keep my decorations near here, like for xmas or birthdays.
Susanne says
There’s a system to storing gifts to give? Who knew! :v)
System let me see. Start at bottom of pajama drawer, move to back of closet, check in picnic cooler (that’s a great hiding spot, BTW) and finish up under a bed or two.
You may now stop either laughing or shaking your head in sympathy. :vD
aggiejenn says
I keep mine in my linen closet in the hallway. I have several shelves in there and only use two for linens, so I keep “gifts to give” on one shelf and all the bags, tissue paper, etc. is on the floor of this closet (I keep all my gift bags inside of a big gift bag and my tissue paper inside of a separate one).
Katrina says
Um…
1. Stack them on the shelf of my closet until they start falling on me.
2. Put all small items – stocking stuffers, etc. – in a shoe box, and then lose the shoe box.
3. Leave them in the back of my car until it’s time to give them…then search the house like a madwoman, trying to remember where in the world I hid them.
I know – you’re totally jealous of my system, right?
Anonymous says
My system is to just give them away LOL
Seriously, I am not one to buy things and keep them until a certain day, I’m horrible at surprises and I just want to see the person’s reaction to the gift, so I give it to them as soon as I buy them…LOL
Can’t wait to hear more on how you do it 🙂
Julie says
I am blessed with a large closet in our master bedroom (it’s all mine…my hubby has his own) SO I store a 3-drawer cabinet on wheels in the corner.
I put all of my cards, stationary and gifts inside. If the gifts are too large, there is a spot on top of the shelf inside the closet.
I store all of our non-Christmas wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, and gift bags on the same top shelf in the corner.
Works for me!
Jennifer says
Oh, good, since it’s to be continued, I’m sure that you are going to enlighten us about the “right” way to do it.
I have things in a couple of places, which really isn’t smart, right? I’ve been known to forget about things I was going to give my daughter.
sherry says
I don’t have many things — but they are basically stashed all over. That would be why I am a SHE. (in case you do not know, from http://www.flylady.net a Sidetracked Home Executive)
I have small gifts in decorative baskets on shelves in the living room. Things in my car. The front closet, linen closet, and in my desk drawers.
Well, you asked. LOL Now please, enlighten us with what we should be doing! 😀
Sherry
Blessed Beyond Measure says
I’m blessed with a big storage room in the basesment, and it’s lined with metal shelving units. One of them is dedicated to gifts. I have a box for each of our children (they’re all married) so anything I find that I want to go to one of them is put in there. I have one marked “weddings”, one “Christmas” one “Misc” and one “Regift”. The regift I too put a note on each item so I remember not to give it to whoever gave it to me! “Wedding” may have a nice frame I found, photo album, candle, that sort of thing. Misc. I use to dig in for a small birthday gift for one of my friends. Seems to work pretty well for me. My wrapping supplies are in one of those stand up container for paper, with an office style tape dispenser, scissors, and spools of ribbon all stored at one table for wrapping.
Anonymous says
My system is that at the first of every month I see what birthdays/anniversarys etc I have to buy for. Then I go out and get a personalized gift for each person. I do not like the idea of regifting nor do I like the idea of just having a bunch of stuff all over the house that was on sale. I would be very offended to just get some gift that someone couldn’t take the time to pick out personally – just some generic gift that was cheap at the time. I don’t care if I receive a 5 cent gift but I do like it to be something that really applies to me.
org junkie says
Maybe I should have been more clear. When I buy my gifts on sale througout the year I AM buying with a specific person in mind. I’m not just buying random gifts here and there hoping someone will like them. I’m just buying ahead to save some money. I track gifts purchased in a little notebook I keep. Laura
org junkie says
Sorry blogger has been giving me the gears so my comment went through twice so I deleted one. Laura
Domestic Goddess says
when I start getting Christmas gifts early I just tell my kids that they are no longer allowed to go in my closet or through my drawers.
Highly scientific storage system.
Julie Julie Bo Boolie says
I was storing them on the top two shelves of my DDs closets. Since clothes they’ve outgrown also sometimes end up on these shelves it’s getting full.. time to try something new. I think I’m going to clear out the top shelf of my closet and store them there (this will involve moving the clothes that don’t fit ME right now into their closets and taking the gifts into mine. To make storage easier I’ll have 4 boxes lined up (not see through)..1 for Sarah, 1 for Chloe, 1 for family and 1 for friends. This should (fingers crossed) work for a little while anyhow. Am I the only insane one who’s already started wrapping?
Kimberly says
I put the gifts in appropriate gift bags, and then label them. Then I store them on the top shelf of our hall closet. When a gift-giving occasion comes up, I toss in a card and it’s ready to go.
Julie Julie Bo Boolie says
Hmm my box idea didn’t quite pan out (seems I don’t have 4 big enough boxes readily available). I did however manage to make more room on the top shelves of each closet so that helps! Go me!
Betty says
You mean like going to the store on your way to the party, wrapping it in the car and wondering why I can’t find the right gift? LOL:)
I laughed and can relate to Susanne & Katrina.
That’s why we are so glad you are here:). We are learning one step at a time.
Betty says
You mean like going to the store on your way to the party, wrapping it in the car and wondering why I can’t find the right gift? LOL:)
I laughed and can relate to Susanne & Katrina.
That’s why we are so glad you are here:). We are learning one step at a time.
mom of 2 says
My system isn’t really a system at all! I throw…ahem…I mean put everything in the under the stairs closet and if it’s for the kids I first put it in a black garbage bag…so no prying eyes get a glimpse!
Anonymous says
I have a long but thin box under my bed with small gifts, wrapping paper, scissors, tape and bows in it….I also sell Mary Kay and have a huge area for it…I give alot of gifts from it…helps get my name out and the product…good post
Anonymous says
We’ve always kept them in a huge rubbermaid bin, but we’re rethinking it.