Is it your job to take care of all the gift giving? It’s always been my job, even when I was married, I was in charge of all birthday, anniversary and Christmas gifts. Just one more thing to keep track of while trying to raise your kids and clean your house!
I’m a list maker, if you came to my house you would find lists, if you looked in my purse, you would find more lists, my day planner is basically a list notebook. Things I want to do, things I need to do, things I should have already done. The lists never end.
Every year when I get a new day planner the first thing I do is write down my gift list. I list the name of each person I buy for, if I buy them more than one gift during the year their name goes on the list however many times I buy for them. If they get a birthday and a Christmas present, their name will be on the list twice.
This allows me to shop all year and not forget who I’ve already bought for and what I bought for them. If you have a list with you, and you can personalize it with clothing sizes, likes, etc. , then as you see items on sale you can buy them and put them away for gift giving. Just jot the gift down next to the recipient’s name and put it away until it’s needed.
The list is also great for gift ideas. If you find the perfect gift but it’s a little more than you want to spend, write it down and circle it, that way you can search online to get the best deal on a really great gift.
I try to be prepared and this helps. I also buy gender neutral baby things when I see them at clearance sales. My daughter and I get invited to several baby showers a year and this helps lessen the financial impact of those showers.
Done this way, when Christmas rolls around you already have a list of what you have so you can see at a glance what you need.