I have traditionally not been one of those organised people who buy up presents at the sales in June or July, but have tended to leave my shopping until November or December. Although I haven’t bought anything at this year’s sales either, I am going to try something a bit different this year and buy more in the lead up than I have done in the past.
I am also working with a very dear friend (and very crafty, check out her site mobble gobble) and we have started making some of our homemade Christmas Gifts. This also is a big change from the usual state of affairs, which sees me working into the wee hours of the morning for a few nights running to get them made before the school term ends in December.
One thing that I have done for a number of years that I have found incredibly helpful in my Christmas Present buying, has been to track all my purchases in an excel spreadsheet. The benefits of this are as follows:
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- I can see how I am tracking to budget.
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- Eliminates me forgetting anyone.
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- Reminds me of what I bought in recent years, so that I don’t purchase a too similar gift.
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- Is a central place where I can note gift ideas for particular people before I forget them.
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- Contains ideas for presents for the children. Relatives often ask me what they would like, and on the spot, I can often not think of things that would interest them most.
Here is a modified version of my spreadsheet: Christmas Presents Excel Tracking Spreadsheet.
I modified the names, some of the actual gifts and the amounts, so as not to give away too much to family and friends! I also realised when I was doing these modifications, that there was a few omissions from the sheet. I have added new names for 2008, people that I have previously given gifts, but somehow have not recorded them. (Means that I was even more over budget!)
Do you buy your Christmas Presents early or are you a last minute shopper?
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ah a woman after my own heart… well ok not the spread sheet thing I am not that organised LOL. But I determined to get this Christmas thing under control well before December rolls around.. I even have my own post in the works to help me get there! Looking forward to more christmassy tips!
You really are the Planning Queen – a spreadsheet for every occasion
I’m trying to get organised for Christmas early this year too (you can read more in my Christmas in July series). I’d never considered keeping track of previous years’ purchases. Makes a lot of sense.
PQ,
I love the spreadsheet – just what I need!Traditionally I start buying early in the year – but with no real rhyme or reason – if I see something that I think X will like then I buy it, and throw in the cupboard!!Only to find when I November comes I check the cupboard and find that I have bought too many presents/ or not enough suitable ones etc. This will allow me to track as I buy, not to mention save the budget!!! Particularly love the page for kids gift ideas! Love it!
HT
This is a great idea with the spreadsheet and planning, the same idea should also be applied to your families travel arrangements for the same period a bit of planning can save in the long run. Now is the best time to lock in great travels deals for Christmas, then you “may” pick up some last minute deals just prior to Christmas.
Great post
James of LittleNomadss last blog post..Family Holiday Budget Value Deals
I used to be very organised and purchase throughout the year. These past couple of years have been less so. I’m finding with my children now that I need to wait until close to last minute as they change their minds a lot about what they want. But I do tend to at least think and plan a little about what I might get various people. We don’t have a lot of adults we buy for.
Lightenings last blog post..You’re Never Too Old To Learn
Thank you so much for this – it’s exactly what I was looking for!