Gifts on short notice can be a total budget buster, and it’s something that happens frequently around here. Last minute birthday party invites, dinner invitations and baby showers seem to pop up at the most inconvenient times, but with a little planning, unexpected gifting no longer needs to be a source of anxiety.
Okay, so you might be wondering how exactly you can plan for the unexpected… Well, my friends, that’s the beauty of a gift closet!
How To Start A Gift Closet
By creating a stockpile of gifts, you can simply “shop at home” when you need a gift at a moment’s notice — or even when you have adequate notice. A well-stocked gift closet will save you both time and money.
Do I really need a whole closet?
First things first, a gift closet doesn’t necessarily have to be a closet dedicated only to gifts. It’s anywhere in your home where you can store pre-purchased gifts while still being easily accessible. Get creative — you can store them under a bed, in the front of the basement crawl space, or a high shelf in a bedroom closet. We’ve even been known to tuck gifts away in our suitcases when we know we won’t be traveling anytime soon to keep them away from little eyes and hands.
How do I remember what I have on hand?
You’ll definite want to keep a running list of gift items you’ve purchased. For those of you that are digitally-minded (like myself), keeping a list on your smartphone is ideal. You can add and delete items as necessary. However, a spreadsheet on your computer, or even a simple pencil and paper work just as well, so go with whatever you’re most comfortable with.
What kind of items should I keep in my gift closet?
The items you stockpile in your gift closet will look a bit different for each of us. It greatly depends on the stage of life we’re in. If you have little ones that are constantly getting birthday party invites, then you’ll want to keep an eye out for age appropriate toys, games, puzzles and/or art supplies. If you get invited to a lot of dinner parties, you may want to keep a few bottles of red and white wine, pretty towels, and/or scented candles on hand. If you know a lot of expectant moms, you might keep your eyes peeled for baby toys and layettes in gender neutral colors.
How do I save money with a gift closet?
As I’ve already mentioned, a gift closet will save you both time and money. By picking up a few items each month, you can stockpile gifts without crimping your budget, especially when you shop the clearance aisles. After holiday and end of season events are also ideal times to find gifts. When you find a really great item, don’t be afraid to buy multiples! And while you’re at it, be sure to stock up on wrapping paper, gift bags, and blank cards so you have everything you need for the perfect last-minute gift on hand.
What are your thoughts on regifting?
My oldest daughter is the queen of regifting. Shortly before Christmas a few years back, I thought I was losing my mind, as I kept losing small items around the house. So imagine my surprise on Christmas Eve when my daughter presented me with an array of carefully wrapped gifts. As I opened each box, I “found” all of those missing items. It’s one of my favorite memories, but while I adore her giving spirit and ingenuity, I don’t typically recommend regifting used items. But unused or unopened items? I say they’re totally fair game as long as you don’t accidentally gift them back to the original giver — and that’s where a little note on your tracking list comes in really handy.
Using a gift closet strategy has saved me SO many headaches over the years. While I won’t say that I always have the perfect occasion-appropriate gift on hand, most of the time I do, and that makes it more than worth the minimal time I’ve invested.
Do you have a gift closet, and if so, what are some of the items in it right now? Share in the comments and you could win a GoodNites prize package valued at $50!
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This post is brought to you by Kimberly-Clark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Anne Marie
I do not have a gift closet but want to start one pronto!!
Tamara N
I do have a small gift closet started already. I have mostly toys that I have picked up throughout the year that were clearanced and inexpensive.
Meg
I have a small gift closet. I have some summer clearance toys for the kids at christmas, bath and body works items that were free with any purchase and candles that were on clearance to gift the women in our family! :)
Wendy
Yes. A small one with dinosaur train and skylanders toys.
Charity Shapiro
No gift closet but I definitely need to start one.
jaime
Def gonna start one!
Melissa H
My gift closet has some Target 70% toys that I found. Some toy nerf guns and spy gear stuff and some card games like uno and I spy.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Jennifer
I don’t at the moment, but have in the past. Been a rough year for us. Getting better though! Finally getting back on our feet!
Sandra U.
Yes I do. I have barbies, lego building sets and all kinds of toys that I find through the year marked on clearance. It’s great for when my kids get invited to a birthday party and tell me last minute. Then I don’t have to rush to the store to find something.
Jana
I have one with children’s gifts I pick up on clearance.
MB
I have one for kids
Marcie
Definitely, never want to be caught empty handed
Jodie
I’ve got legos, board games, dolls. I do this for Christmas too. I find things all year long and hide them from the kids
Jodie Roberge
I have socks,make-up,liquid handsoap from BBW,and misc.items ii buy throughout the year including baby items.
colleen
Currently in my gift closet I have some clothes for my kids, a 3ds game and a doll for my daughter.
Kim
Toys for the nieces and nephews. For birthdays and Christmas.
Scott
Gifts for the kids in the family as I see sales throughout the year.
Sophie
Gifts for the grandkids. Store closing sales or just good sales are hard to pass up.
Norb
Gifts for all of the kids in my life. Summer arts and crafts festivals are good times to find cute items you can’t find anywhere else. I like to put things away for holidays and birthdays.
Jane
Gifts for the grandkids. Sometimes you see cute stuff but you have to wait for them to be a bit older to use it.
Michelle
Gifts for the kiddos. I like to snag unique finds or good sales when the gett’n is good.
Tracy K in Illinois
I stockpile all year long. I keep a list of wants and needs and continually check prices at Amazon and scan end caps for bargains at Target. I also hit up the Bath and Body Works outlet a few times a year for fuzzy socks, candles, and all things that make you smell good!
tonya
i dont have a gift closet but have always thought about starting one
brynne
I have a re-gifting bin under the bed.
Lindsay C
I have a kind of gift closet. It has tons of small gifts for my niece and nephew.
Gina M (Wild Orchid)
I don’t have a gift closet yet, but I would like to start one.
Entered the rafflecopter form as “Wild Orchid”
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Debbie Briner
I’ve had a gift closet for many years, I purchased throughout the year staples such as sheets/towels, toys, Basics like dish towels and candles, bath and body. Great for last minute invitations, teachers and birthday parties.
Bill
my wife has kept one ever since we had kids
Leigh
I pack of lunchskin snack bags was the latest addition to mine. I look for lego and art stuff on Amazon at great prices and buy a few sets at a time.
Maureen
I have a gift closet. It has candles, games, toys, jewelry, baskets, baby items, clothes, hand sanitizers with holders, yarn for making items, etc.
Wouldn’t be with out one.