gift/present book

pavlovs_dog

i posted on the christmas organisation thread about my special book. it is a notebook that i recieved for christmas, that has conspired to be one hell of a time/money/stress saver.

its nothing fancy - pocket diary sized, with a picture of a kitten on the front. it's what ive done with it thats magic.

the front half is an occasions/birthday book.

there is a double page spread for each month of the year, with the dates written out. i then have a colour code, so i can see at a glance whether i have birthdays/ anniversaries/ special events (eg valentines) coming up that month, so i can make sure i dont forget anyone


then, the rear half of my book is my gift list.

there is a one/two page spread for everyone i buy gifts for, for whatever reason. the people i buy for most often have a double spread.

whenever someone mentions in conversation that they like (x ) perfume, enjoy books by ( y), would love to learn to ( z), i note it down on their page before old age has time to kick in and i have time to forget

then, whenever their birthday/christmas/anniversary rolls around - no more scratching my head and racking my brains to think of a present. i just turn to my book, and i have a whole list of suggestions to choose from. the result? present buying is much less stressful, and the recipient receives something they will love!

this year brought with it a new phenomenon - i started my 06 christmas shopping in the january sales so some people have special entires on their page, so i can see what i have already bought for them, so i can avoid overbuying (the perk of it being pocket sized is that it fits in my bag perfectlyand i always have it with me when shopping).


when i get chance, im planning to add a new section, by raiding the HM OS gift ideas section of the collections, and noting the ones that i can do, eg the hamper/ flavoured oils or alcohol.

another addition you could include if you like to "recycle" gifts is have a section on each persons page noting which recyclable gift they gave you, so you can avoid accidently giving it back to them :eek:


when i started the book, i wasnt sure whether it would work. well the proof is in the pudding..its now april, and ive just raided it for ideas for bits to bulk out OH's main birthday present (he has very obscure tastes in kung fu films with nonsenical, unpronouncable titles :rotfl: )

im so thrilled with its success i just had to share it with my "brethren" so you could maybe benefit from it too :beer:

my next plans for it include a list of all my cashback sites, and their main partners (so i dont forget to use them when shopping online), and a list of all the basics that it helps to keep it - plain birthday cards, plain wrapping paper, birthday paper, xmas paper, sellotape, bows, ribbons, gift bags (which i recycle ) and so on, to jog my memory into keeping my supply well stocked. i think i may also list all my favourite gift websites, so if i am lacking in inspiration i have a springboard of ideas


looks im not so bad at this organising lark after all :rotfl:

tru

Excellent :T

I'll do this too

pavlovs_dog

shamelessly bumps own thread

tallulah_beaulah

This is a great idea! I'm new to present organizing, and I'm going to try this out, I'm sure it will help. I've been saving gift bags and tissue paper to recycle for giftwrap, have bought ahead a couple of presents in sales and started trying to make a few gifts too.

I carry a small "price book" notebook so I can price compare and it's been invaluable, going to start a "gift book" this minute... I can see myself ending up with a handbag full of notebooks!

CAFCGirl

Am loving this.

Really want to get into making more OS style gifts for people.So having the little notebook will let me jot down the ideas as and when they come to me!

saving_is_fun

What a brilliant idea. I am going to do this too. :T

VickyA_2

This is a great idea! I've already started to do something like this after I bought some presents in the January sales for birthday presents.

Loadsabob

This is great, PD!

I have started a gifts spreadsheet (because I'm a spreadsheet nerd!). In it I keep trck of gifts I've given and received from each person, and ideas of HM gifts suitable for them.

But you have really reminded me that I need to listen carefully and note down ideas that stem from conversations with all my loved ones through the year - thank you!

pavlovs_dog

lol, the spreadhseet idea sounds good, especially if you are a PDA user and could therefore have a portable format too :think:

i should invent an electircal notebook/organiser which can be used as an on the go meal planner, price book, to do list, gift book, and diary - i'd make a mint lol