The Secret to Great Gift Giving

Ok, well it’s not really a secret. But it’s something that’s always worked for me. I’ve been told by my friends that I am a good gift giver. Little do they know I’m really just a fabulous list maker. Really fabulous, actually. This is a trait I inhereted from my mom. Not only the list making, but also the gift giving.
Gift Bag

So here’s how it works, when you are with someone and you go to use a bread knife and they don’t have one… write it down. Then when you need to give that person a gift refer to your list which will say “needs bread knife” and buy them a bread knife. They’ll wonder, “how did they know I needed a bread knife?” I also add to the list hobbies or other interests that the person has, so if I don’t have a specific need listed I still have an idea of something that they will enjoy. If I see somethign online or when I’m out shopping that makes me think of someone I write it down. Basically, you think about someone, you write it down. Works every time.
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This method is even easier with smart phones. I like to use Evernote for this. I’ve talked about Evernote before, and I’ll say again how fabulous of a program it is. In Evernote, I have a “gift-ideas” folder. One note is just a list of people with random gift ideas listed. I have seperate notes for The Boyfriend (don’t you go looking for it now!), close family, and crafty gifts ideas (since I make a lot of Christmas gifts).
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For example, I keep a list of my close friend’s hobbies, with things that they might enjoy or need for that hobby. One of my closest friends is a runner. So, under her name i have listed “running (fancy running socks, goo, gift cert to sports authority)” When it’s time to get a gift for her, I have a list of thoughtful things to buy. Easy peasy!

4 thoughts on “The Secret to Great Gift Giving

  1. That sounds pretty easy but I’m still not able to pull it off. (I was pretty sure the secret was ‘witchcraft’.)

    I love this tip you gave me once: When Calvin was born you asked some friends who have kids what I might need. And that was so smart – we STILL use the dishwasher baskets and stroller hook daily. Who without kids would have thought of those?

  2. I use Evernote for gift ideas too. I really just need to pay more attention when I’m around my friends though because the list has been pretty flimsy recently.

  3. Hi Sarah, I can’t live without my lists-lol. I have a list for just about everything too.

    Popping over from ByW2 for a visit and a look around. I enjoyed browsing your ogranizational ideas and solutions.

    I’ll see you in class,

    Lisa

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