Create a Gift “Closet” AND NEVER Pay Full-Price for Gifts Again…
What is a gift closet?
A gift closet is a designated area (not necessarily a closet!), where you store gifts throughout the year, as you find the best deals on giftable items. Gift closets are essential to saving the maximum amount on gifts! Having an area to store items means never having to pass up a deal.
But I don’t have an extra closet in my home!
That’s okay! Most people don’t! Think of somewhere you could make some extra space. Guest room? Garage? Under the bed? I made one in my home by reorganizing a couple of closets and donating some stuff that was just taking up space!
Keep it organized…
I like to start off by making a list of everyone I buy gifts for throughout the year. When I sit down and write it all out, it tends to be way more people than I thought it was going to be. Having the visual list makes it super easy to stay organized and thorough.
We’ve created a FREE printable Christmas Gift List for ya! Just click here to print.
Another great tip for staying organized, is to keep a box with all your gift wrapping supplies- scissors, tape, wrapping paper, ribbon, tags/cards, etc., inside the closet. These items can be purchased after each holiday with deep discounts on them as well.
Be prepared!
Don’t stress when those last minute occasions pop up! In addition to the list of friends and family to buy for, I like to keep a list of “miscellaneous” items that I’ve purchased. Have you ever had a kid onlinee home with a birthday invitation for the next day? How about a last minute baby shower, bridal shower, or graduation? Well, it makes it a lot easier when you’ve got a box of miscellaneous items to pick from real quick, rather than making a trip to the store and paying full price for something.
Don’t forget the cards needed for these occasions as well. I keep a small shoe box of miscellaneous cards in my closet, including blank cards.
How to stock it…
If you’re on Hip2Save frequently, there’s a good chance you’re already bargain-shopping savvy, but here are a few quick tips to keep in mind regarding gift buying-
Confession: I buy *nearly everything* on clearance. I just hate paying full price, when I know I could get it for cheaper! I don’t even walk down the main aisles at Target, because I know that all their clearance is on the back end-caps, so that’s how I make my way through the store and take just a quick glance at the clearance items.
Clearance, Clearance, Clearance!
Keeping an eye on clearance shelve and watching the prices drop, is the best way to find smokin’ deals (and watch for coordinating coupons, of course!). You can count on great clearance items at different times throughout the year, like the post-Christmas clearance toys (don’t forget to grab wrapping paper and bows too!), as well as the Fall clearance of older model gaming systems, and their respective games, to make room for the pre-Christmas release of new ones. There’s a predictable pattern to retail ups and downs, if you watch for it. Also, look out for candles, non-perishable gift sets, and other giftables immediately after Christmas, and stock up for NEXT Christmas! These make great presents for those last minute neighbors or friends that you didn’t have on your list.
Always look for small stocking stuffers!
You can pick up some great deals on small items after holidays like Easter, Valentine’s Day, and Halloween, as well as items like bubbles and jump ropes at the end of summer. The BEST way to save is by shopping really far in advance.
Buy in Bulk!
I’ve purchased packs of items before, like small reading lamps for example, and opened them to put one in each of my kiddos’ stockings. And if you find an incredible deal on something, buy more than one! You can ALWAYS find someone to give it to, or keep it in the miscellaneous box. If nothing else, you can always sell or donate items that you just can’t find a use for, and you can feel good about not having spent much on it.
If it’s getting close to Christmas and you’re needing to fill in a few more gifts, be sure to watch for daily deals on sites like Amazon.
Check out this video on gift “closets” Collin made way back in 2013, when she was short on space…
[youtube=https://www.youtube.online/watch?v=aLaGbKVvb1c&w=560&h=315]
Written by Danielle for Hip2Save. Danielle is a proud mom to 5 amazing kids in Utah, who lives for coffee and baking. She’s dedicated to balancing her own interests and passions, while encouraging her children to follow their own paths in life.