1. I buy gift cards. Our church has a program that allows you to order gift cards from all sorts of places. The gift card is for the amount you pay, but our church receives a percentage for each sale. The amount varies by the business, but it's a win/win situation. I know that other organizations and schools do this also. Of course, you can always pick them up at the store too! I buy cards for groceries and going out to eat... but I also buy cards in small amounts to places I shop for Christmas at. I keep them set aside and pull them out when it's time for shopping. It all adds up!
2) Some stores give gift cards when you purchase certain things. One is Target. They often have deals like - buy 2 packages of paper towels and get a $5 gift card. If I do this, those gift cards go into my stash too.
3) Always be on the lookout for gifts or stocking stuffers. I've found some great gifts when traveling or in places like hospital gift shops.
4) This time of year especially, there are some great sales. I was at Yankee Candle Shop and they had a table of small candles, car scents, wax tarts for 75% off. They make wonderful stocking stuffers.
5) Watch for coupons at check out. Bath and Body Works has given me coupons for free small lotions several times - another great stocking stuffer! I've also gotten $10 off of a $10 purchase from Penneys and Kohl's, and used them toward gifts.
6) I have a big Rubbermaid tote in my basement that I keep these things in, along with a small pad to write what I've purchased. This keeps everything together and keeps me organized.
These are a few of the things I do. Hope these help you out!
When I used to buy more gifts I would buy throughout the year. These days I don't buy so many gifts but I still keep my eyes open for a good deal and think of who I might give to when I do find a good little gift item. I also make some gifts if I have time.
ReplyDeleteI love this. Stocking stuffers are my favorite part of Christmas shopping! It's never too early to keep your eye out for nice little things to sue come Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSuch great advice for a stress-free Christmas shopping season.
ReplyDeleteIt's like Christmas in July!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea. But these days, with only adults in our immediate family, I don't do too much for any holiday. But, the idea really would come in handy.
Great tips, Mari...thanks for sharing...Blessings
ReplyDeleteYou are so smart! What a fantastic idea. I love things like this because I dont like shopping at the last minute, or not knowing what to get who. And you are right - Christmas will be here before we know it. Thanks for the suggestion, I will surely use it. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI love these ideas, especially the ones for stocking stuffers. I shop throughout the year, too, but it never occurred to me to do the gift card ideas.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea? My daughter always has a stash and I always wonder how she has so many. I've never asked. Maybe she does the same thing. I need to be doing a little pickin up sale items. Christmas is just around the corner. It always is:)
ReplyDeleteThanks ,you always have many good tips.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't even want to think about Christmas now.lol
Thanks, Mari, for the great ideas. Believe it or not, sometimes when we are browsing the thrift stores, we find new, unopened gifts for a fraction of the orig. cost. Recently, they had a pretty cheese cutting board, still packaged with a magnetic grocery list for the frig and matching pen for $2! I picked that up to have on hand for a hostess gift etc. I really like your suggestion for the gift cards. Just yesterday, my hairdresser announced that it was her birthday. It would have been so handy to have a gift card tucked away in my wallet!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea - you organized Lady you!! I love the idea for keeping eyes open for stocking stuffers and little gifts all year round and places you wouldn't think of otherwise...and how those deals and extras add up. And to keep a bin for everything and keeping track is so smart!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. xo
Those are all great tips, Mari. You are so organized! Happy shopping!
ReplyDeleteYou're a marvel, Mari. I think organization may be the single most useful thing to anyone trying to keep life simpler and more manageable. We all shrink in our family from giving gift cards themselves as gifts (most of us feel like it's a cop-out, especially Andrew who absolutely refuses to give one to any of us, even though we girls are always clamoring for GC's to TJMaxx, haaahahaha), but your ideas for using them in other ways are rather brilliant. And yes, I remarked to TG yesterday, do you realize it's almost time to put up the Christmas tree? haaaahaha xoxo
ReplyDelete