The Gift Shelf: A Simplified Approach to Gift Giving
When it comes to gift-giving, most people shop like this: When a
special occasion arises, they go shopping. Typically, they put this
shopping off until the last minute. With the festive occasion only days or
hours away, they frantically search for a gift.
If luck happens to be with them on that particular day, they find
something among their available options that is both appropriate and
affordable. If luck is not with them, they overspend, buy a gift that is
inappropriate, or worse yet, show up empty-handed for the gift-giving
occasion.
Does this sound familiar? If so, it doesn't have to be this way. Let me
tell you about another approach to the gift-giving scenario. I can't take
credit for this idea; many people I know do it in one form or another. In
our family, we call it the "Gift Shelf".
Of course, your gift shelf doesn't have to be a shelf. It can be a
"gift closet" or "gift cabinet" or even a "gift
box". Whatever you call it, the idea is the same. Rather than waiting
until a gift-giving occasion arises and then going shopping, you shop all
year long and hold the gifts in a designated place until the special
occasions arrive.
There are many benefits to this system. First, there's no more stress
over last-minute shopping. This form of advance planning brings a welcomed
relief during the busy times such as the holiday season. Another benefit
is that the expenditure of time and money involved in gift-giving is
spread out over the entire year. That makes gift-giving a little more
manageable for those short on time and/or money.
With this system, you also have the option of being selective (i.e.,
taking time to locate the perfect item at a good price) rather than
frantically buying whatever you can find. And, if you keep your gift shelf
well stocked, using this method actually allows you to be more spontaneous
in your gift giving. If a special occasion sneaks up on you or a friend is
having a rough day, one quick trip to your gift shelf easily produces a
thoughtful gift for the occasion.
If this method of gift-giving sounds good to you, here's how to get
your own gift shelf started. First, you need to find a place to store the
gifts you will be collecting. Under a bed, in your linen closet, in the
attic -- anywhere will do. We put our gifts in old Xerox paper boxes on
the top shelf of our closet. Boxes of uniform size definitely come in
handy for easy storage and stacking.
Next, you should begin collecting items for your gift shelf. Always be
on the lookout for inexpensive items that would make good gifts. Flea
markets, yard sales or estate sales are great places to look. Check store
clearance racks and watch for "going out of business" sales. If
you find something at a good price but don't know who to give it to, buy
it anyway to use for a party favor or hostess gift.
As you buy gifts for your gift shelf, it's important to keep some sort
of inventory. We use our computer for this, but a sheet of paper would
work just fine. Jot down what you buy and whom you plan to give it to.
Also keep a list of those extra gifts that aren't for anyone in
particular. This list makes it easy to find a quick gift in a pinch. As
you give the gifts on your shelf, be sure to mark them off your list.
Since we started our gift shelf, much of the stress related to
gift-giving occasions has been relieved for us. Using this method, we now
usually have family birthday presents purchased months in advance and
almost all of our Christmas shopping done by Thanksgiving. Simply by
changing our approach, we were able to put the joy back in the joyous act
of gift-giving.
For more information on inexpensive and simplified gift giving, check
out these articles:
- Giving "Timely" Gifts
- Grab Bag of Gift Ideas
- Break the Rules of Gift Giving
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