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Some moms dream of closets they can fill with purses and shoes, but not me. Instead, I have a small closet dedicated to my love of gift-giving. It’s where I store future gift items, gift wrap, gift toppers, and other accessories that make gifting less of a chore and more of a pleasure. These gifting hacks have made my life as a busy mom so much easier.
Hack #1: Stock Up on Gifts
Don’t wait until you’re invited to the party to go buy the gift. Dedicate 10 minutes at the end of your weekly grocery/errands run to peruse the aisles for some good deals. Having gifts on hand alleviates the stress of last-minute shopping. And don’t be afraid to stock up on multiple items, especially if they are on sale. One year, we gave each of my son’s friends the same toy because I found a whole bunch on clearance. No one complained, and all of the boys were happy to receive the same item that year.
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Clearance sections, post-season sales, and weekly store promotions are my favorite ways to add to my gift inventory.
Hack #2: Versatility Is Important
Before adding something to your stash, make sure it can be used in multiple ways. For example, stay away from the gift wrap that has the words “Merry Christmas” printed on it. Opt for the red stripes so that it can be used year-round. Solid colors or fun patterns for wrapping paper and gift bags are my go-to preference. I do not stock up on character prints or super-specific holiday wrapping paper because my gift closest is a revolving door. I want items in there to be used and not stored for long periods of time.
Craft paper in brown, white, and black are the only items I stock up on in big rolls because I can use them for any occasion or holiday.
Hack #3: Organization Is Key
Before I had a small closet that housed my gifting inventory, I had to be super creative. And I quickly realized that buying everything in advance didn’t necessarily matter if I couldn’t find what I needed quickly. Start small and store your gifting necessities in a basket or drawer.
I recommend having the essentials like double sided-tape, Scotch tape, and scissors easily accessible. If you have more items to keep together, consider a craft storage cart or dedicating section of a closet to your tools.
In my gift closet, I always keep tape, scissors, ribbon, and gift tags together in a small craft caddy.
Hack #4: Give Yourself Permission to Be Creative
This is the fun part! If you’re prepared for gifting, then you give yourself the ability to have fun with it. Remember, there are no rules when being creative. Ribbon and tulle can be big statements for wrapped presents. Fun ornaments add a touch of personalization to wrapped or bagged gifts, so keep an eye out for options at post-holiday sales. Yarn pom-poms and tassels can also give a burst of unexpected whimsy.
Personalized gift tags are an easy way to make any gift shine, so stock up on a set to have readily available.
Hack #5: Gifts Don’t Always Need to Hide
Unless it’s a birthday present, I don’t always hide my gifts in a box or a bag. A hostess gift might be as easy as a bottle of wine with a cute wine tag and ribbon. A teacher appreciation gift could be some cute office supplies and a gift card in a small basket. Easy gifts for friends can be as simple as some wrapped candies tucked into a cute mug.
I stock up on cups and baskets of all sizes to make gifting cuter and easier.
Take a breath, mama. As those invites come rolling in this year, I hope you feel better prepared to celebrate all of things with all of your people.
