Gift Idea Notebook

Before you totally stress out trying to come up with gift ideas at the last minute, why don’t you get yourself a small date book you can keep in your purse or pocket. You can usually pick these up at a dollar store; some businesses give these out for free. Enter all your relatives’ and friends’ birthdays, upcoming showers, weddings, anniversaries, etc. into this book. This way, when you’re in the local shopping mall or on a trip to another city or state you’ll know whose birthday or special day is coming up. You just might see something he or she would love to have.

In your little gift ideas notebook, make some notes as to what your friend’s or relative’s hobbies, sports or other interests are. Any time you see or hear of a potential gift, write it down. By the time that person’s birthday comes along you’ll already have some gift ideas handy.

If you see a great gift while shopping and have enough storage room in a closet, you might even want to buy it at that time. If your closet is roomy enough, set aside an area for storing gifts and wrapping supplies.

A good time to shop is right after a holiday or when the stores are holding clearance sales to make room for a new season. That’s the time to pull out your little book and start shopping for gifts. This is also a good time to stock up on wrapping paper, cards and other supplies.