Staying Organized During Christmas Shopping Season
26 Nov
Hi everyone and happy Cyber Monday.
Although I do go out and do a little bit of shopping on Black Friday, I much prefer ordering Christmas gifts online. You really can’t beat the deals and the ease of having your purchases show up at your doorstep.
As a seasoned Cyber Monday shopper, I know that it’s easy for things to get a little out of control. Sometimes the deals are so good that it’s hard to step away from a purchase that might not be 100% necessary. It can also be difficult to track what was purchased for a certain family member, where various receipts or shipping confirmations ended up, or how much money has been spent.
Enter: my tips for staying organized during Christmas shopping season.
Tip #1 – Set a budget, and don’t be afraid to go under it
Having a budget in mind is so important, or else it’s very, very easy to overspend. Rather than setting a “grand total” budget, I usually try to designate a certain amount for each person on my list. However, when I’ve purchased everything I intended to buy for someone – whether I’ve reached my monetary limit or not – I stop (or at least try to). For example, if I plan to spend $100 on Chris, but find really great deals on everything on my list and only end up spending $85, then that’s okay!
Maybe this is a “duh” tip to everyone else, but I always feel the need to continue spending until I hit my set limit. The truth is, no one is totaling up how much you’ve spent on them, so smile to yourself about your great shopping skills and move on!
Tip #2 – Create a folder in your inbox for Christmas-related emails, receipts, and shipping confirmations
I like to email family members for gift ideas, and then keep their responses organized to refer to as needed. The same goes for online purchases – any and all emails regarding purchases go in the “Christmas 2012” folder, so I know where to find them if need be. You could even take things a set further and categorize them by person, family, or couple.
For gifts bought in-store instead of online, I keep all receipts organized by recipient in a small envelope.
Tip #3 – Create an Excel spreadsheet to organize purchases
As you can see, the first column is where I list everyone’s name (don’t worry, we’ve got more than 2 people to shop for!). In column B, I record all items purchased and then the cost in column C. If I didn’t have a visual like this, I know that I’d feel super overwhelmed at having to remember who still needs what and how much money I have spent… this method makes it easy!
Questions for you…
- Did you do any Cyber Monday shopping? I wasn’t feeling very organized or on top off Christmas shopping, but today sort of forced me to get my butt in gear.
- Do you have any tips for staying organized during the holidays? Please share!
- Do you have any unusual gift ideas? I’m always looking for new and different gifts to give!
You may want to check out…
- 12 Days of Christmas for your Husband (or significant other) – I really want to do this!
- How to Start a Blog via Jimmy Choos on the Treadmill – great tips for any of you thinking about beginning your own blog.
- Cyber Monday deal from Craft Coffee – see my post on this delivery service here.
This is so awesome, I love the email and excel ideas! I am constantly writing everything down, but end up losing half of my papers! So unorganized, this will definitely help! Thanks for the ideas!
Jentry Nielsen recently posted..Cyber Monday NordicTrack Sale
I hope they help Jentry!
I plan on doing a lot of my Christmas shopping online this year, so that’s a great idea to have a separate folder for shipping and receipt emails etc.! Thanks for sharing
Molly @ Just Your Average Athlete recently posted..Exercising when sick: Is it a good move?
Aggghhh, so needed this! Thanks Erica! I’m the worst with tricking myself into thinking I’m organized and then 2 days before Christmas I’m running around like a madwoman. I just started a list on my phone for gift ideas so doing better than last year. I’ve been too busy at work to really cyber Monday shop, maybe this evening! I always tend to steer towards gifts that are not material things but “experiences”, concert tickets, a massage, etc. Happy Monday!
Katie @ KatieEnPursuit recently posted..Pinterest Called, They Want to Give Me My Afternoon Back…
I like the idea of getting experience gifts!
I always keep a spreadsheet and I also create a folder in my email for all Christmas receipts. Great minds think a like!
I purchased a really nice sweater for my dad from the GAP this cyber Monday! It went from $90.00 to $62.00 so that was kind of a no-brainer. He’s going to love it. I generally write down what I want to get everyone and just check it off my list as I go. I’m going to try to cut back a little this year, if possible.
Steph @ StephSnacks recently posted..Where Are You Christmas?
Same here! Everyone I know has everything they NEED!
Great tips! I love the one about creating an email folder. Brilliant!
LOVE the idea of the email folder! Great idea Erica!
Angela @ Beauty in Strength recently posted..Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Bars
I love your e-mail file idea! I swear, this time of year my entire inbox is filled with shipping & order conformations, I can’t keep up!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles recently posted..Lock up your almond butter….
Look at you, so organized! I typically set a budget for each individual person and go from there…nothing fancy but I like your idea of a spreadsheet!
Brittney @ Brittney Breathing recently posted..Working Out Eases The ‘Ache
I love your idea of creating a folder. I usually do a handwritten list of everything I want to buy people. So far, I have a few people done. I love buying gifts for other people!
Alysha @shesontherun recently posted..Cyber Monday Deals for Runners
Me too!
So impressive!! I’m inspired!
Corrie Anne recently posted..Turkey & Sweet Potato Hash
Oh girl, I am on my way to start one of those excel sheets NOW! I’ve already lost track of all the stuff I’ve bought!
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance recently posted..A Tinier Turkey Day
Brilliant tips girl
Sounds like some really good plans! I get about as organised as making a spreadsheet, but this sounds really good. I’m starting to panic that time is running out!
Me too! It feels like everyone else is already done and I’ve barely started!
My husband and I have also started a google docs excel spreadsheet for our presents for people. That way we can both check it at any time and see updates from the other person! It has made it a lot easier this year! (I say that like I’ve really started Christmas shopping yet… NOT!)
Stephanie @ My Freckled Life recently posted..Out of the Habit
That’s a GREAT idea!
I definitely would be crazy without organizing my emails! I have a folder strictly for any banking information that passes through my inbox which makes it so much easier to find receipts and such!
Nikki recently posted..Getting Up to Date
I love the e-mail folder trick! I used to do a lot of online shopping and ship to my parents’ house so gifts were already there and I didn’t have to travel home with them, but I’m excited this year to shop in person and not worry about shipping gifts
Baking Serendipity recently posted..‘Tis the Season
Oh, what a great idea of making a separate folder in your email for receipts! Thanks!
I found your blog through Elf4Health. Hope your day is going well!
Kristy @ Kristy’s Health Revolution recently posted..Surprise!
Glad you found me Kristy! I’m off to check out your blog!