Does anyone else have a Gift Stash?

**Mimilu** · 04-05-2009, 01:15 PM

Just wondering if anyone else keeps a stash of items for when you need a gift? I have started watching for great deals to put in my gift stash. For example, when I get a Bath and Body Works coupon for a free item (up to $13 value) with any purchase I go in and get a $1 gift bag and put the freebie in my stash. I also found a brand new Beanpod candle (retail $19) for $3 at Goodwill and added it. Just thought this was a fun idea!

Lynn

NEO April Chall: 0/30
Coupon Chall: $2.00
April Reading Chall: 0/2
Change Jar Chall: $8.80
April Gro. Chall: $27.69/$250

**LastDragonfly** · 04-05-2009, 01:49 PM

I have a stash too. I sell Avon and invariably I have some who change their minds etc. So throughout the year I stash it and give gifts along as needed. It was a godsend last Christmas when dh was laid off. This year we decided to "start" the stash....we have 5 daughters ages from 23-7, so I've always got someone who needs some smelly goodie, or make up.

**Must-Stash** · 04-05-2009, 01:56 PM

I have one as well. Mostly for grandchildren, but some of the adults as well.

**AmyBoz** · 04-05-2009, 02:00 PM

I have a gift stash for kids birthday parties. When I see toys that are nearly free, I'll pick them up and pop them in the closet. That way, when invitations come, we don't have to run to the store.

**Grainlady** · 04-05-2009, 02:12 PM

I keep a stash of purchased (on sale/clearance) items AND homemade items. It's interesting how those things in the stash have changed over the years...

When our children were young, I always kept boy/girl gifts on hand for the "million-and-one" birthday parties they attended, as well as stocking stuffers. We encouraged homemade gifts at our house, so the kids made a lot of their gifts throughout the year as projects we did together as a family.

I'm forever making knitted dishcloths and never seem to have enough of them to go around for thank you's and other little gifts. I give them out to participants who attend cooking/baking classes I give. My computer-professional friend only accepts homemade cookies and homemade dishcloths as payment for working on my computer. I figure I have more hours invested, but LOTS less money.

Fifteen to twenty years ago I couldn't keep enough crocheted doilies, crocheted collars, crocheted jar covers, and crocheted potpourri sachets in the stash.

**Natalie** · 04-05-2009, 02:31 PM

I have a little stash of Christmas gifts for Christmas '09.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 04-05-2009, 02:39 PM

I have 2 one just for Christmas along with my family list. Then my general have a baby shower/birthday/anniversary party type gifts.
Funny thing is DD now feels that the general stash is hers too she come home the other day and started looking for a baby boy sweater and booties for a friend of hers. I was shock and surprise! out of boy booties. Sin of sin mom make more quick! lol

Laurie in Bradenton

**pinetree** · 04-05-2009, 02:46 PM

I also have a stash, alittle for everything. I like getting them at a good price and adding to the stash. I gather things all year long for birthdays & Christmas.

**sabrelvssammy** · 04-05-2009, 04:45 PM

i too gather things all year long and i have quite a stash for just about any occasion for any person....when i get too much of the little stuff i use alot of it in the x-mas stockings or fill a 'baggie full' and use it as the gift itself...(this is in addition to all the 'bigger' items that i have 'stockpiled'...

my thought on this is i know who has to have presents every year for what occasion and so when i see some 'super-bargain' i buy it...i have presents for some family members for 'years to come' ...(the key to this is though don't buy things that could 'go out of style'....)

**Early Bird** · 04-05-2009, 09:13 PM

I have a gift stash ... some sale-priced manufactured gifts.

But this year, I'm working on a Christmas knitting gift stash earlier.

I'm making scarves for gifts this year. I've now got 3 in the gift stash.

**Jskell911** · 04-05-2009, 09:16 PM

I have a pretty decent sized stash. As a matter of fact I just dug into it for my Grandfather's Birthday last week.

**Debbie-cat** · 04-05-2009, 09:17 PM

I definitely have a stash. I watch for things at Goodwill or at garage sales or things that are really cheap at stores and homemade items to add to it. My stash is huge this year as I have been working really hard on it. At the rate I am going, Christmas shopping should be done by June.

**rainbowgc** · 04-06-2009, 12:11 PM

Yep, I buy online at 75% to 90% off, find a free shipping coupon and add item to stash. Also I buy from thrift stores. I am almost through with Christmas 09 and am done with Birthdays 09

**JanieD** · 04-06-2009, 02:10 PM

I have a gift stash too! It really keeps me from overspending on last minute gifts. Honestly, I don't gift shop well under pressure. So, I rely on my stash a lot. I tend to buy things when I find them (often on sale) & then I don't worry about forgetting or not finding the right gift.

**marjorie** · 04-06-2009, 05:51 PM

I definately have a good stash of baby/baby shower gifts. I hit a Carter's outlet a couple of months ago and bought 2 outfits, hat, blanket, booties, and sweater for $22. I made another sweater/jacket to go with and a hat in a coordinating color. Next neice or nephew to have a girl is set for a 9 month size

I found a ridiculous deal on J&J baby products at the grocery store last year, and still have probably 50 assorted products that can be added to baskets. This works out well as I end up with 3-6 showers a year minimum, and don't always have time to crochet more than a blanket, depending on what else is going on. I wrote to the folks who made Bordeauxs Butt Cream and told them I always include a few samples in my shower gift baskets, and they surprised me by sending a vendor pack of 50 samples! Don't forget to add appreciation to the companies whose stuff people really like. At worst you'll put a smile on someone's face. I asked another bottle company which bottles were BPA free, and they sent me an 8 oz. sample bottle and a coupon. Nice little extras for baskets.
i'd pretty much given up on getting gifts ahead of time for adult kids as their needs are still changing quickly. I am gathering goodies for for neice/nephew baskets, though and working on afghans for sibs.
I sometimes do something small for people who try very hard to make my life easier- like my doctor's nurse. She actually got very full eyes the year I told her she deserved a mini-vacation and gave her a small gift bag with bath salts or bath bomb, votive candle and chocolate. It was a small gesture, but it clearly meant alot to her and she was still talking about it 8 months later. Those little things are often in the stockpile as well.