There are some gifts we give we know from year to year we are going to need yet we scramble at the last minute to buy the gift, get it wrapped and delivered. (Have you ever thought, "It's your birthday again"?) With a little planning and preparation these stressful situations of giving a gift can be avoided. Here are six simple tips to make gift giving pleasurable.



Have one central place for gifts. It could be in an under the bed container, a closet, a basket, anywhere handy yet not in your way. When you purchase a gift you know right where its designated place is and when you need it you don't have to go searching. If it is for a family member and needs to be hidden on top of the closet shelf may be an option.

When you are out shopping, keep your eyes open for good buys so you will have a nice selection of gifts when one is needed in a hurry. These could include picture frames, candles, books, toys, bath products and so forth. Shop the sales to take the stress out of your budget.

Make a list in your planner of who you plan on buying gifts for during the year. When you buy a gift for them, write down what you bought and where you put it. This works for Christmas gifts as well. When shopping the sales after Christmas make a list of who you have bought gifts for and where you are storing them for the next year. (Don't assume you will remember).

Another way to shop is through catalogs. There are catalogs on line as well as those that come in the mail to peruse through and select the perfect gift. Ordering from a catalog saves time, the hassle of driving, shopping, parking and hauling things home. One of my favorite things is getting packages in the mail even if they are for someone else. Be sure to recycle outdated catalogs and if you get more catalogs than you want go to www.Catalogchoice.org This is a free service that lets you decline paper catalogs you no longer wish to receive. It reduces the amount of unsolicited mail in your mail box, while it helps to preserve the environment.

Have a designated place for gift wrap, ribbons and gift bags. Consider limiting yourself to one or two kinds of wrapping paper and ribbon. Use patterns and colors that are generic for any gift giving occasion. It could be a solid color and then dress it up with ribbon. There are special containers made to stand paper wrap in with a place for ribbon, gift tags, tape and scissors. Or buy a sturdy laundry bag that can be hung in a closet to hold rolls of paper.

Another idea is to consider gift certificates. Keep things simple and remember people just like to be remembered, it is the thought that counts.

Marilyn Bohn's Bio

Marilyn is a creative organizer who has been organizing for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and is working towards becoming a Certified Professional Organizer. Professionally she has been organizing homes and offices for over two years. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work. She has reared five daughters and currently lives in Utah.

Go to her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find free organizing tips and interesting blogs and helpful articles on organizing.