We've made it to April! We are all thinking about the joy of Spring arriving, warmer weather, flowers...
But what about Christmas? I really don't want to be thinking too much on that yet, but there is something I do all year around to prepare for Christmas.
I keep Christmas gifts inside it. Whenever we are in a fun store, traveling, or I see big sales, I check for possible gifts. I do stockings for our kids and grandkids. If you have to do them all at once around Christmas, it's hard to find things and can be expensive. This way I can get good deals and often find things that are not standard stocking stuffers.
I keep a little notebook in the tote and write what I get and who it's for so I can keep track.
So, that's my tip for today - keep your eyes open for gifts all year long and you'll be thankful you did it when the Christmas season comes around.
I've been doing this for years, Mari! Even Charly does it. On Christmas morning, I often find that one of my favorite gifts came from a truck stop we went to during a summer road trip. It is truly a great idea and it is always fun to be on the lookout for the perfect gift!
ReplyDeleteI don't do gifts anymore. With five children, significant others, ten grandchildren, some bonus grandkids, etc. - it got to be too much. Now they all get a check for their birthday and a season pass to an amusement park for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteBUT in the olden days, I did what you do. I had a master list of gifts for each child that I bought during the year, always evening up the amount once I got to fall. I also watched for gifts for our parents, etc. It was so much more economical to shop the sales and to spread the spending!
Yes, I do the same thing. Always keeping an eye out for good gifts the year round. Finding and buying every single gift at Christmas can be overwhelming. I do the same for birthday gifts too.
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing. I need to be more organized. I have things set aside for Easter right now.
ReplyDeleteSpreading out the shopping throughout the year not only makes it more affordable but also allows for more unique and meaningful finds
ReplyDeleteA very good idea I think I’ll try to do it all year. Gifts are less expensive during the year than just before Christmas and no rush it’s a very good idea.
ReplyDeleteI use to do this when my kids were little. Believe it or not the toys at Toys R Us were cheaper in the Summer months than closer to Christmas. They would start raising their prices closer to Christmas. It was such a scam to customers...but having to take Economics in college, it was supply and demand. Janice
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. I'm not a good shopper, but if I could get myself into this kind of pattern it would sure help at Christmas time! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI always intend to do something like that and then never do! I have a hard time thinking about Christmas once the season passes!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea. I cleaned my closet yesterday and found two gifts that I was supposed to give this past Christmas...they will now have to wait until Christmas 2025. Thanks for sharing this...I needed it.
ReplyDeletemy mother did this her entire life. she kept the gifts in a great big really old from the 1940s suitcase, locked of course, I regualry tried to open it. ha ha and that is the truth. Once she forgot to put a doll inside it and i foudn the doll, i was 4 or 5. she told me Santa had so many kids to see, that he asked her to store it for him to give him more time
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea! I have some gifts - so now I have the way to organize it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a smart idea. You are so organized..the notebook with who gets what is fantastic because by the time Christmas rolls around the designated things will be forgotten. We don't have any "littles" any more but we still do stockings. Its a fun tradition.
ReplyDeleteSue
That's a great tip, Mari! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good idea! But Christmas...sigh...it's so far away.
ReplyDeleteGenius! I sort of do this too, however not nearly as organized as you are my Lovely. You inspired me to start this on some level years ago. Thanks for always be such inspiration here. 💗💗💗
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to shop for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for gifts!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea ... many thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I am a very boring Grandma. I give each of them cash. 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren is just too many to figure out gifts and stocking stuffers for.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea, Mari! I remember my mom used to do that, but then she would forget where she'd stash things and find them months later in her closet!
ReplyDeleteThis is a good idea. Recently I was shopping online for a Christmas tree. Crazy, but the best deals are in the off season! lol
ReplyDeleteGood thinking.
ReplyDeleteNow that is a brilliant idea. I have often thought of buying for Christmas throughout the year, but there are so many birthdays that I have enough trouble keeping up with the immediate needs! But it's a great idea and I guess any time of year that you start it, you're that much ahead! xoxo
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