And since I am so excited. I am having a super fun 3 day BASH! Each day you will see a guest post from an awesome blogger and a super cool giveaway too! So make sure and check out these awesome people and come back to see all the fun. : )
Our first guest blogger is one of my favorites to read! She is hilarious and has some pretty awesome tutorials! So make sure you check out her blog
So I give you the awesome Vivienne from The V Spot talking to us about why we should have a gift closet. : )
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These are the things going into the Gift Closet: The little silver “HOPE” blocks are going to be tucked into cookie baskets. ($1.50 each) The cranberry scented reed diffusers were $2 a piece and will be great holiday gifts. The little frame out of antlers was 39 cents. (How cute will it be with a kid or grand kid’s photo in there and tied onto a Father’s Day gift?) The rhinestone R and E can be tied onto a gift bag or wrapped present as a gorgeous (but inexpensive: 60 cents) embellishment.
There are always great deals on After-Christmas items that you can give as gifts for next Christmas, but always be on the look-out for things that don’t look Christmas-y. Candles, frames, vases, linens, etc. I’ve been able to snap up $45 Bath & Body Works gift sets for $4 in March and April. I have them on hand for all kinds of occasions.
Does it mean that I care less about my gift recipients because I paid less for their gifts? Of course not! In fact, I think it means I love my recipients more, because with a bit of planning and a watchful eye, I can give them more. If you are out and about and see the perfect gift for a specific person (at a great price), get it. Right then and there.
Buy it. Make yourself a note somewhere. I keep an email going in my “Drafts” folder. I’m not ever going to send it anywhere, but I have “Gift Closet” in the subject line and it serves as an inventory of my Gift Closet. I make notes about specific gifts for specific people. If I have purchased multiple quantities of the same item, I make myself notes as to who I have given one to, and how many I have left. (You don’t want to give anyone the same gift twice!)
A taboo subject: Re-gifting. I’ll admit it, I’ve done it. (And if you’re being honest, you’ll admit it too.) Something too big or too small, (once I was allergic to an ingredient in a delicious bath set) or for whatever reason, we will not be able to enjoy the gift. Personally, I think it is a shame to have a gift sit unappreciated and unused. I would rather pass it on to someone who I know will enjoy it. Therefore, on a few occasions a gift I have received makes its way to the Gift Closet. Go ahead. Report me to the Gift Police. If you’re going to re-gift, do it properly and discretely. I tie a big note onto the item marking who gave the gift to me. I also list the gift on my draft email list and I change the text to red. One of my re-gifting criteria is that I will not re-gift to anyone who even knows the original gift giver. Another is that if the person who gave it to me assigned any sentimental value to it, I keep it.
(Even if it makes me break out in hives.) Picture frames, candles, good deals on ribbons and wrapping… Whatever you find yourself paying retail for at the last minute, try shopping before you need it. You’ll be so happy you did. Being judicious with your time, money and energy is a great gift to give yourself. Trust me.
Johanson Family says
I always talk about gift buying through the year and forget to do it!! I guess its not too late to start now.
My SIL gives me the same thing for every holiday through the year— LOTION, BODY WASH, BODY SPRAY. I have said so many times, Please do not get me those (its been 6 years worth) and this last gift was AGAIN a thing of bath stuff. I normally would throw it away… this time, I've saved it. I'm giving it back to her in August for her birthday.
So smart to stash little finds all year…just in case! Love it!
Smiles,
Melanie
Reasons To Skip The Housework {The Blog}
Tinker B Boutique {The Shop}
[email protected] {The Email}
Thanks for having me Ashley! Congrats on #300! Woot!
Thanks!