Organize your Gift Giving

Gift giving becomes overwhelming at this time of year. I was wondering what tricks you have to keeping it organized.

Sally, Essex

Giving a gift to someone and seeing their face light up with happiness is one of the greatest rewards. However, around the holidays it can also be a huge burden and diminish the joy we feel. Here are some ways that you can make gift giving feel less like a chore.

As always, I find lists a very useful tool for corralling all of your thoughts. First, you must identify who you want to give gifts to. For some it might be a simple family list, for others it could include business relationships as well. I suggest using a chart or spreadsheet that can be taken with you as you do your shopping and serve as a checklist throughout the holidays. Keep this document as a working document throughout the year for when you are struck by a gift idea for someone. In addition, if you create this document on a computer, you can refer back to lists from prior years to avoid buying similar gifts. A link to a Gift Checklist Template, as well as other useful holiday tools, can be found on my website www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com.

I also keep a list on my computer throughout the year of items I may want, but won’t buy for myself. These thoughts are usually generated when I read about something in a magazine, have a book suggested to me to read or find something online. The list helps create a place to store that information without keeping the tangible item that you read about it in. The best part is when the holidays roll around and I am asked what I gifts I would like, I have a list of wishes to present.

Simplifying gift giving among your family or friends can also be a great way to save money and stress. “White Elephant” or “Yankee Swap” parties are a humorous way to give gifts and get rid of items in your house. For those who aren’t familiar with the concept, you wrap an item in your home that you no longer want or need. Everyone draws a number and picks a mystery package on the day of the swap in numerical order. If you don’t like your item you can trade with someone else. The last person is usually the one to get the best of the presents because they get the final trade.

Another great gift giving solution is to hold a “Secret Santa.” Those who have large families tend to find this an economical and fun way to celebrate the holidays. In our family, we draw a name on Thanksgiving. Everyone submits their wish list and we post it on a web page. There is a $100 dollar spending limit. We e-mail out pre-printed gift tags to the participants so they can label their gifts without revealing who the giver is. It is fun to try to guess who your Secret Santa is and everyone gets items they want.

Some families I know simplify their gift giving even further by opting to donate to their favorite charities in lieu of gifts. This can be a great way to give back to your community and take away the stress of shopping.

Lastly, if you are embarking on the gift giving mission this season remember these quick tips for better preparation. Try to shop on days that the malls and stores won’t be flooded with people. Sometimes taking a day off of work or shopping later on a weeknight can be a more stress free way to browse and enjoy your shopping excursions. As you are shopping remember to pick up a few items that are generic for house warming gifts or last minute gifts that you may have forgotten on your master gift list. Keep some gift bags on hand for quick last minute gift wrapping.

To make next year even more organized, I suggest stocking up on gift wrap and cards when they go on sale at the end of the season. This way you will save money and have one less thing to worry about during the holiday season next year.

Kristin Mastromarino is a professional organizer and owner of Livable Solutions Professional Organizing and The Organized Lifestyle retail store in Guilford, CT. (www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com). You can e-mail her your questions at Kristin@livablesolutions.com.