A Gift Closet or box can be a treasure trove all year long but especially at Christmas. I buy for Christmas all year long at yard sales and craft fairs and the thrifty store. I also love the dollar store. At these places, you can always find something to buy for someone on your list. I have found things in July that I have saved for Christmas. Sometimes I see things that I know someone on my list will just love and other times I buy just something that catches my eye. I use this all year long as a place to not only store gifts but my wrapping paper as well. Having a gift closet means that I know longer am stuck running out for a gift when something unexpected comes up, like a house warming or baby shower. Having my gift closet also saves me a great deal of money because I always buy things on sale, never paying full price for anything.
I also am a crafty person and I watch all the craft shows on TV. So when I am in the mood to craft, I almost always make two or more of the same craft. One because as I am making the first, I almost always come up with a way to do the second one differently and of course I just have to make it. So the extras go in my gift closet. I also hit all the after Christmas sales for wrapping paper. I use some of the wrapping paper to make origami Christmas ornaments to attach to packages or just to have for a quick gift for someone's tree.
Here is a quick list of some of the things that I try to keep on hand:
An inventory list with everything printed on it that I have on hand. I made a master list and laminated it with clear contact and now when I buy I just put a hash mark next to it with a dry marker so I know what I have on hand.
Wrapping paper for all occasions
Blank cards so I can write a personal message
A few birthday and anniversary cards
A list of cute quotes so when I can't come up with something cute to say I refer to my list
Bows and boxes and single silk flowers
These are the staples of my gift closet
I buy candles to dress up and candle holders to decorate
I stockpile books of popular authors
Coffee cups to be filled with drinkables or as a container for candy or pencils or crayons
Small toys as I try not to give my grandchildren a whole lot of candy come Easter and Christmas
Stationary sets, handmade or store bought
Small bears and animals that I can decorate for graduation or birthdays
Tins for putting presents in
Silk flowers and vases for quick arrangements for friends in hospitals
Gift bags
Music CD's
Computer programs and games
Crossword books and word search puzzle books. I sometimes make these off the internet and you can usual get the New York times crossword on there website for those big cross word fans.
I also crochet and always find myself with leftovers of yarn so I try to take them and make a few granny squares so that if need be I can crochet them together as a quick gift. Granny squares are wonderful, you can make just about anything out of them. Purses, small Afghans, a remote control caddy just to name a few. Then there are the crazy gifts like the Billy Bass and his cousins I keep for gag gifts or the silly ones I keep for when a friend needs cheering up. This almost always keeps me organized and it also keeps me from forgetting what I have on hand or where I put things. I also try to wrap my Christmas presents early that way I am not always stuck wrapping them all the day before Christmas eve and it also keeps curious grandchildren from peeking at there presents. I have a large family so this also keeps the amount spent on each gift down. Well, I hope you like these ideas.
About The Author: Debra Frick is a mother of 5 and a grandmother to 8 grandsons and one granddaughter. She is a published author and poetress. Recycling and saving money are her passions. She also loves crocheting and cooking. She is also a pet rescue volunteer and has many pets of her own.
You had better make a LIST, so you know what you have for everyone... Especially IF you're going to wrap it beforehand!... My list of Possible & already bought gifts is in my "waiting to mail" area of my e-mail on my computer... This way, I can find it easily all year long... & when I actually purchase the gift, I change the color of the print to Red... When it's actually wrapped & ready to go, I change the color of print to Green... This way... Green means GO!.... & the gift is ready to go... into my car & off to someone's Christmas tree!
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