Each year I make out my Christmas list and try to stash it somewhere the kids won’t find it. One year, I started keeping my shopping list on the computer and I just hide it by giving the file some weird name. I imagine that if it said CHRISTMAS LIST, somebody would be tempted to peek.
Besides, it’s so much easier to do it this way. Instead of marking things out as I buy them, and then trying to figure out what that line said when I’m taking stock of my purchases, I simply highlight the items I’ve obtained in a different color than the things I still need to get. I also use another color for things that have been ordered but have not yet arrived. It not only makes it easier for me to keep track it also reminds me to check on orders regularly. Then, if something is back ordered, or it doesn’t look as if it will arrive in time for Christmas, I can find something else to replace it.
I use each person’s name as a heading, placing the kids’ names together so I can compare their lists. While they don’t always get exactly the same amount, we try to keep the number of gifts as close to even as possible, as well as the amount spent on each child.
Another good thing about this method is that I can simply print it out when I’m ready to hit the stores. If I happen to lose the list, I can easily print off another copy. Computers can definitely make our lives easier in many ways, and this is just another example.
I also keep all my receipts in an envelope and I make copies of each one and keep the copies in another envelope. I really like my new system, and it makes staying organized much simpler, so I thought I would share.
Do you have any tricks or tips for keeping the chaos out of Christmas shopping?
Related: Charge it! Cheerful Giving or Buyer’s Remorse?