Create a “Gift Closet” and NEVER Pay Full-Price for Gifts Again!
Keep reading to find out how much you can save with a gift closet!
What is a gift closet?
A gift closet is a designated area (not always necessarily a closet!) where you store gifts throughout the year as you find the best deals on giftable items. Gift closets can be essential when it onlinees to saving the maximum amount of money on gifts! Having an area set aside to store these items means never having to pass up a deal because you’re short on space.
“But I don’t have an extra closet in my home.”
That’s okay – most people don’t! Think of somewhere you could make a little extra space. It could be in a guest room, under your bed, in your garage, the attic, or your basement. Even an empty drawer or a storage bin would do the trick! 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.
Need an extra page? Click HERE for more space!
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 your gift closet or near your designated “gift closet” area. Try to stock up on these items after each holiday when they’re deeply discounted!
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 so I know what I have on hand at all times.
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? It’s so nice to have the option to “shop” from your stash of on-hand items rather than making a special trip to the store and making a full-price “panic purchase”.
Your gift closet can also be an excellent resource when making toy donations during the holidays or throughout the year.
Don’t forget the greeting cards needed for these occasions as well. I keep a small shoebox of miscellaneous cards in my closet, including blank cards, so I’m ready for any occasion at a moment’s notice!
Here are a few quick tips regarding gift buying:
1. Clearance, Clearance, Clearance!
Shopping clearance sales are one of the best ways to stock your gift closet on the cheap. There’s a predictable pattern of sale cycles every year, and knowing when to shop a certain category can help you to find the lowest prices of the year.
Download our free month by month guide and shop smart all year long
2. Keep your eyes peeled for stocking stuffers all year.
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, sidewalk chalk, and jump ropes at the end of summer. The BEST way to save on these items is by shopping really far in advance and then holding on to them for your next gifting occasion.
3. Buy in Bulk!
I’ve purchased multi-packs of items before, like candle tins, and separated the set to use as multiple gifts for people throughout the year. 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 your gift closet for any last-minute gifting occasions that pop up.
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 too much money on them.
This concept stand the test of time! Check out this video on gift “closets” Collin made way back in 2013!
