The Christmas Account
About two years ago, I set up a separate checking account that is the designated Christmas account. Every month, a little cash is automatically transfered to the Christmas account, and we never miss it from the main budget. I have a debit card that I carry for that account, so whenever I see a great gift for someone on our list, I can buy it with designated Christmas money instead of worrying about how it fits into our monthly budget. I can buy what I need whenever I find the perfect thing, and often during a great sale. Having the debit card also allows me to shop on the Internet without using a regular credit card, and having all the Christmas gifts paid for from one account (with it's fixed budget) keeps me on target and allows me to see at a glance how much I've spent. But if I'm buying all year long, how do I keep track of what I've bought?
The Christmas Spreadsheet
I'm a nerd who loves a good spreadsheet. Six years ago I set up a simple spreadsheet in Excel listing everyone I'm shopping for, how much I can spend, and then columns for what I've bought and how much I've spent. The spreadsheet totals automatically, so all I have to do is add my purchases in. I carry a printed copy of it in my purse when I'm shopping, so I always know what I've bought, who I'm still shopping for, and where I'm at budget-wise. It's my inventory, so to speak. Each year I just add a new worksheet to the same spreadsheet, which allows me to go back and look at previous years, to check what my budgets were last year and to make sure I don't get someone the same gift two years in a row! Good record-keeping is the key to organized holiday shopping and keeping yourself on track. Now, where do I actually store all the gifts I'm buying months in advance?
The Gift Closet
I'm very lucky when it comes to storage space. Last year my husband built me a gift closet to store all my loot in, which means I never have to run around looking for a gift I stashed six months ago. I store all my finds in the gift closet -- Christmas and birthday gifts for specific people as well as general gifts for those last-minute birthday parties. The most important part of the gift closet goes back to the spreadsheet though. Nothing goes in that closet without getting listed on the spreadsheet, otherwise the threat of falling into the gifting blackhole is still there. I may have to get a little more James Bond about the whole thing when my oldest figures out what I've got stored in there, but it works great right now. If you don't have closet space for gifts, you can use storage bins under the bed or in the basement or garage.
So there you have it, my holiday shopping arsenal. Planning all year long takes the pressure off the holidays so I can enjoy them, and it becomes more about the hunt for the perfect gift than trying to tackle my whole list in a frenzy on Christmas Eve. Happy Holiday Shopping everyone!
8 comments:
Thanks for laying it all out. I will implement starting Dec 26....I think I'm too far gone this year already!
Love the idea of the gift closet and having everything on a spreadsheet.
thanks for the idea
Do you put a percentage of your income aside or is it a specific dollar amount? And is it always enough to cover Christmas or do you have to add to it?
Great question! I currently have an automatic transfer set up in online banking for a specific dollar amount to transfer every two weeks. I picked the dollar amount to transfer by dividing my total Christmas gift budget by 26, and that's the amount I transfer. So far (knock on wood), I've been able to completely cover Christmas without adding to it.
You are brilliant! This is an amazingly organized system that I could totally work. I'm a year long shopper too, but I often forget presents I've purchased and have to roll them over for other holidays! I'm going to use your spreadsheet idea too. Thanks!
Sandy you never cease to amaze me.
This will be my New Year's Resolution.
Like you, I shop all year for every occasion. I've always tried to use spread sheets to keep track of various things, but it never fails that I get lazy and forget. My memory is pretty good though, and I keep a running tally of the gift closet in my big beautiful brain (ha!!).
Thank you for sharing your system. I think it will really help me to be more organized. Keep these useful and interesting posts coming!
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