How do you store, keep track of your "gift closet"?

**Lisac** · 06-01-2011, 12:47 PM

ok, I don't have a gift closet but isn't that what it's called?? What do you do with the stuff you pick up through the year for gifts? How do you keep track of it. This is the first year I am doing it.

I currently have two fabric bins in my laundry room ( up high out of reach) with stuff I've collected and I keep throwing stuff in. Truth is I don't really know what's there. I also bought some other stuff that's stuck in my closet. Any suggestions on how to keep track and store this stuff??

Lisa

**krbshappy71** · 06-01-2011, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by Lisac

ok, I don't have a gift closet but isn't that what it's called?? What do you do with the stuff you pick up through the year for gifts? How do you keep track of it. This is the first year I am doing it.

I currently have two fabric bins in my laundry room ( up high out of reach) with stuff I've collected and I keep throwing stuff in. Truth is I don't really know what's there. I also bought some other stuff that's stuck in my closet. Any suggestions on how to keep track and store this stuff??

Lisa

One shelf in linen closet and a document on the computer. The document lists all the family members and next to their names I put my ideas and/or purchases.

**Neeley** · 06-01-2011, 04:51 PM

I have all of my goods stored in a Rubbermaid container(s) in my laundry room. Honestly, I just know what all is in my box(es). I don't write it down or keep a list formal list, other than the one in my head.

If I did keep a list I would probably write it on a piece of paper and keep it in my wallet. That way no one other than me would see it or know it was there.

**mauimagic** · 06-01-2011, 05:29 PM

I use Rubbermaid bins and a notebook especially for gifts - ideas and keeping track of. Please don't hurt yourself laughing - but I cannot find my notebook.

**geckoace** · 06-01-2011, 09:51 PM

I use a bin in the storage room in the basement and keep a list in the "notes" on my phone

**Libby** · 06-01-2011, 10:22 PM

I use the Rubbermaid tote method too. Its full of knick knacks to be re-gifted. If I have someone specific in mind, I will mark it on a sticky and attach. If there's several things in there, I'll place in a plastic shopping bag with the sticky note inside. I try to go through the bin once/month just to take inventory. Same goes with early Christmas shopping.

Lately...everything's been going out

**Ramona** · 06-01-2011, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by mauimagic

I use Rubbermaid bins and a notebook especially for gifts - ideas and keeping track of. Please don't hurt yourself laughing - but I cannot find my notebook.

Did you look in the bins? Ow, I DID hurt myself

.

**Luckybustert** · 06-03-2011, 05:11 AM

Originally Posted by mauimagic

I use Rubbermaid bins and a notebook especially for gifts - ideas and keeping track of. Please don't hurt yourself laughing - but I cannot find my notebook.

Thank you, MM, I really needed that laugh! (That is soooo something I would do. And I am very curious now...is it in the bins?)

**TheRootedNomad** · 06-03-2011, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by mauimagic

I use Rubbermaid bins and a notebook especially for gifts - ideas and keeping track of. Please don't hurt yourself laughing - but I cannot find my notebook.

I use the same method only I would be LOST without my "notebook as it's the last few pages of my planner. I use a 6 x 4 inch monthly/weekly planner with lots of extra pages and then sections of posty pads attached in it. Everyone else at work has the big notebook size one and wonders how I manage with a small one. (The trick is the posty's for notes that can then be discarded when completed.) Mine fits in my purse and goes everywhere with me. It has ALL my schedules on it (work, kids soccer, drs., birthdays, excersize log, DH on call times, ect.). It also has things like my window measurements, kids sizes, color swatches, gift ideas, and comparison prices for something I'm looking for, as well as what is in my gift totes.

**Debbie-cat** · 06-03-2011, 08:59 AM

I have everything in boxes in the spare room. I don't have a formal list. I keep it all in my head. I try to finish a family at a time unless I see something that someone on my list would like then I purchase it and start the mental list for that family.

**ErikM02** · 06-03-2011, 06:14 PM

People can still afford to buy gifts for people in this economy? Must be nice!

**NicJean** · 06-03-2011, 07:12 PM

I purchased a "Holiday Planner" at an after-holiday sale, maybe 5-6 years ago. It is obnoxious red and green with glitter, about 4x8. It houses old wish lists for folks I buy/make for, what I served for holiday dinner, budget and actual spent from years prior, stamps as well as names/addresses for cards, and check off boxes for whether my card was reciprocated. This notebook has a permanent 'residence' on the bookcase next to my working surface in my office/craft/guest room. About now, I go through and mark down who is getting what on my shelf, and I make a sticky for my wallet to remind me to look for certain things, or that I don't have anything for great Aunt Sue.

**Syn D** · 07-23-2011, 03:28 AM

I normally shop through the year.. I keep index cards per person and write what I got them, then I wrap the gift and store them in a cabinet..

When I had a garage and younguns in the house, I marked my Christmas storage boxes ~ 25a, 25b, 25c, etc. and had index card with a list of what goes in the box.. When I pick something up for Christmas, I would wrap the gift and put them in a box (25p) in the rafters of the garage.. Kids just thought they were Christmas decor..

This year I have majorly lapsed..

**TigerGirl1226** · 07-23-2011, 08:50 AM

I have a partial shelf in a closet and a notepad reminder on my Blackberry. Usually I make notes for myself on my BB throughout the year. The gift shelf is more for birthdays and throughout the year gifts and less for Christmas gifts.

I generally pick up picture frames at Kirklands on markdown and part of my mom's and IL's gifts is a framed pic of DD. Also, I pick up marked down stuff after Easter and Christmas, like Disney "makeup" and bubble bath sets for little girls. Those make great gifts for the DDs little friends.