How to Start a Gift Closet & Why You Need One

Shopping for gifts doesn’t have to be stressful and you don’t have to spend a fortune! By shopping throughout the year and using my gift closet I save HUGE, plus it’s so much less stress!

If you buy things you won’t use you won’t save any time or money.

Lots of people start buying stuff because it’s cheap and they forget about it, it doesn’t fit when it comes time to gift it, or they end up with 5 gifts for the same person. If you go in with no plan then you can’t plan on saving as much as you should. The first thing I do at the beginning of the year is make my list.

(It’s not fancy, but if you want to print off my list you can get it here.)

In my list, I put their name, birthday, anniversary, birthday gift, Christmas gift and an other column. The other column is for things like baby shower, graduation, or wedding gifts. While making your list of names don’t forget teachers, neighbors, charities you normally shop for and a few extra gifts to have on hand. I like to list a few of Josh’s friends that I know for a fact we will buy for as well. This list is also handy for keeping track of what size people wear!

When a gift is purchased, I write in the gift under the appropriate column. This way I know who I have already purchased for and who I still need to purchase something for.

I try to keep a few extra general gifts on hand for:

* Hostess gifts

* Wedding gifts

* Shower gifts

* Birthday gifts

So what do you buy anyways?

So you know WHO you are buying for now you need to be on the look out for your gifts to fill your list! There are some tips on buying gifts:

– Beware of fads and phases, especially for kids. Sometimes phases can pass quickly. Something that a 6 year old is into in February won’t necessarily be something they will be into in December. Before you buy just ask yourself if they will still like it later on.

– For general gifts to just have on hand (not necessarily for a specific person) make sure they are just that – general. Something that most boys would be excited to have, diapers are great to have on hand to go with a baby shower gift, and lotions, bubble baths and candles can be put together for a nice gift basket that most women would love to receive!

– Some gifts are general enough to cover both boys and girls like puzzles, games, play doh and gift cards.

– Don’t forget to pick up tape, cards, ribbon, wrapping paper, party favors, napkins, paper plates etc when you see them on sale! There’s no need to save 90% on a gift to have to pay full price for the wrapping!

Where do you shop?

I do most of my shopping online. I love Amazon and do lots of shopping there. I have an Amazon Prime membership (you can get a free trial here) so I get free 2 day shipping on my purchases. I also buy a lot of clothes from Twice and thredUP. Both companies offer a free $10 credit to new members which means free clothes! (Plus, right now if you like Twice on Facebook you get an additional 15% off your purchase!) Groupon, No More Rack (new members get $10 off their first $30 purchase), Zulily and One Kings Lane (new members receive $15 off a $30 purchase) are also some of my favorites.

When I’m not shopping online, I’m checking out clearance aisles and for coupons. You can find coupons for toys, movies and even gift cards!

How do you save on gift cards?

Even if you don’t give gift cards as gifts – if you can get them at a discount (and they are for a place you would shop at regularly anyways) purchase them. Even if the discount is small. I think of it this way. I know every year at Christmas time I buy from Amazon, Best Buy and Target. During the year, I purchase 3 $100 gift cards for $90 each for those places. Come Christmas I have $300 saved back for my shopping and I saved $30. That’s the price of a gift (or in my case 2 or 3 gifts!). It adds up!

Kroger will often offer 4 times the fuel points saving you $6 on fuel with the purchase of a $100 gift card.

CVS sometimes offers $10 Extra Care Bucks when you purchase a $100 gift card.

Groupon has offered gift cards up to 50%.

Some companies offer gift cards as a promotional offer (such as when you switch cable companies). If you get one – even just a $5 gift card (hello teacher gift!) save it back!

Swagbucks is a great place to earn gift cards. Use it like google and trade your swagbucks in for gifts or gift cards! (I use mine for Amazon gift cards. I earn about $150 each year through Swagbucks!) For not much effort it’s perferct!

Recyclebank also is a place to earn gift cards. Again, I trade mine in for Amazon but get what makes sense for you! Recyclebank just requires a few minutes of your time to learn about being green and your points add up quickly!

By planning ahead you will save yourself not only money but a headache as well! Once you get going with your gift closet you will