I have a "holiday/gift box" that I keep in my closet. I started this box years ago when our church started a secret sister program. Each month, you give your secret sister a small gift, and at the end of the year, you tell her who you were. I already have a good start on my box for this year and have spent almost nothing. You can do this too, for any reason.
First, don't focus on "certain" items, be open to anything, as you can theme your items together for gifts. Second, take advantage of seasonal items for next year, and third, take advantage of sales combined with coupons. Most of my items are from CVS, Walgreens, and the Dollar Store.
So far, I have items I will give to my secret sister in February, includuing red candles (left over from Christmas) and pink candles (left over after last Easter), which I got at Walgreen on clearance for a dime each, along with a red fleece lap throw I paid $2.50 for on sale, minus $2 of CVS bucks, so it really cost 50 cents.
I also have some green candles (left from Christmas, same price) which I will put in a basket with some other items for St. Patty's day, as well as some more Easter candles.
I got free air fresheners (sale price was the same as my coupon price), including one of the new electric ones. One is evergreen scented which will go in her December gift.
I have a coupon for a free jar of Jiffy peanut butter, which I will add to a survival kit for May, when school gets out. That kit will have PB, Jelly which I have made, a loaf of my homemade bread, 3 boxes of band-aids (again free after coupons), some kids crossword puzzle books, and free bubble bath.
Also, I have 2 boxes of Christmas cards that were marked down to a quarter for her December gift and a couple rolls of gift wrap that were also a quarter each, Thanksgiving paper plates and Halloween paper plates which were a dime per package, and some 4th of July cloth place-mats that were originally $8 each, that I bought for $1 each. I also have some more red and white candles for July 4, but will need to pick up a couple of blue ones to add.
Basically, buy things after the holiday day that can be reused for another holiday. Keep in mind however, you need to stick with items that are not going to dry out, expire, or loose their scent.
Also, save and use those bonus bucks and reward points. With my Walgreens rewards, last year I cashed them in and gave last-years sister a $10 red lobster gift card on her birthday. She had it listed on her sheet as her favorite restaurant.
Last year I spent around $20 total for 12 gifts for my secret sister, and she received some very nice gifts.
Also, be creative! Try this approach starting now, and you could have a box or sack full of items you can give for birthdays, Christmas, or as stocking stuffers.
By mom-from-missouri from NW MO
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Keep a running inventory on the door of the closet where you keep gifts purchased throughout the year. If the item is stored elsewhere, note where you have stored it.
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Family Strategies for Saving Money on Gifts. We found that the best strategy is this: we spend all year both searching for gifts and spending extra time with the people we love so the gift means more.
