I am often teased about my gift stash. My family calls it my box of tricks and friends who shop with me are puzzled that I would purchase something that does not have a defined intended purpose or be a for a holiday or event MONTHS away! To me this is normal. My mom always had a gift stash and I saw the time and money saved and the stress avoided when my brother and I pulled a birthday invitation out of our backpack Friday for a party Saturday that we had forgotten to mention or been invited too late.
In addition to lessening stress by helping me be prepared in the “events” department of life, my gift stash allows me to show my appreciation to people, like my son’s class aide or speech therapist at school when I would not be able to afford to otherwise or give my co-worker an extra baby gift or birthday present and that is probably what I love most about it.
Are you wondering how I fill my “bag of tricks”? I shop throughout the year and when I see something on steep sale or clearance that would be a great hostess gift or something I know a co-worker would love I grab it! After holiday sales, Christmas especially, can be fabulous opportunities to start or restock a gift stash. Board games, specially packaged action figures, Hot Wheels, Littlest Pet Shop and Barbie get cleared out at up to 90% off to make way for new seasonal merchandise and regularly packaged toys. Some perfume, make-up, jewelry sets and boxes, home decor and candles are also grouped with the holiday clearance and provide an opportunity to grab gifts for adults too!
Semi-annual sales in January and June at stores like Bath & Body Works, Yankee Candle and Victoria Secret are another great time to stock up. January is the biggest clear out in my experience and I can grab lotion sets, perfumes and candles for fractions of the normal cost. I keep in mind upcoming birthdays, holidays (valentines and Easter) and “just because” opportunities and will even grab for next Christmas is I know it will keep and the recipient will love it. Especially if it is 75% off or more.
Last but not least I throw my free or nearly free beauty items I collect playing the drug store game into the tote and have made gift baskets for gifts! I gave my niece a basket filled with $212.00 worth of hair accessories, a straightening iron, hair sprays and make up for her birthday and I paid 21.20 for it. She loved it and I felt great!
I know Target went 75% off in some places yesterday and nationwide today and we hope Wal-Mart will follow soon. Keep your eyes open for gift opportunities – put a tote in you closet or garage to hold them in and I promise you wont be sorry you did.
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