My husband claims I have a fondness for “process.” I want things done in an orderly fashion. My response is that I not only want it done that way, but I need to have things completed in an organized manner. Having witnessed my mother lose track of gifts year after year, I’m determined to come up with a way to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to me (hopefully). I create a chart to help me keep everything sorted out. Here are a few simple ideas to help those who have trouble keeping track of all those gifts on their lists.

· Choose software you’re comfortable with
Using whatever word-processing software you are most comfortable with (Microsoft Word or Excel), create a chart.
· Create informative Column Titles
In your columns, put titles that are helpful to you. Mine are: Person’s Name, Gift Ideas, Purchase Status. If you want to be ambitious, add in columns like “Where Hidden” so you can document where you placed the item once you’ve bought it. You can also create an “Item Cost” field to keep track of prices. Items often fluctuate throughout the year so that not only gives you an estimate on how much your gift ideas are costing, but you can determine whether you are getting a good price if you run across it on various websites or stores. And if you want to be super calculated, create a column where you can check-off if you’ve wrapped each item already or not. That way you won’t think you’ve lost your mind if you can’t find something you’ve written down that you’ve purchased. I shop year-round so this might come in helpful at times.
Create informative Row Titles
For my rows, I place the name of each person that I need to purchase a gift for. If you’d like this chart to work across all holidays (ex. Birthdays, anniversaries, Easter, etc.), you can either create a different row for each holiday (differentiated by “________’s Birthday” or create separate tables for each holiday subsets (i.e. a Christmas chart, a birthday chart, etc. with each person’s name that applies for the rows.).
Use Your Chart! Record Gift Ideas Throughout Year
As I window shop throughout the year, or hear items mentioned that the person might like, I keep a running list within the “Gift Ideas” column by the person’s name. Within that running list, I like to create a hyperlink to the item online, even if I want to buy it at the store. [Note: To create a hyperlink, in most software programs, go to “Insert” function and in that drop-down menu, there should be a hyperlink option. Write the name of the item in the “text to display” field and copy and paste the website where the item is located in the website location field.] That way I have a visual reminder of what the item looks like. And if I do want to buy it online, I already have a direct link so I don’t have to go rummaging through my favorites’ links or google the item to find its whereabouts.
· Color code
When I’ve completed buying all of the items I’d like to for a person, I highlight his/her name so I know they’re done. This way, I can scan down the rows and see who I have left to buy for.
· Write down where you hide presents
Right now this one isn’t terribly essential for me because I have a two-year-old and a two month old and they’re not digging around for presents. In fact, I have a clear storage bin off to the corner in a room that stores a host of presents that I’ve purchased throughout the year and it hasn’t been bothered. But I know this won’t work forever. Create storage bins for each person if you buy a lot for several people. Or, find a special hiding spot where you store your barrage of gifts as you buy them so they are all in one place. If they happen to be too large or cumbersome to fit in your designated spot, record it in your chart where you’ve placed the items. Try not to hide the gifts in several locations without writing it down for a reminder.
· Create financial logs
To keep track of spending, create a separate table for people you have an approximate amount you’d like to spend on them. For example, if you’re just buying a gift or two for someone, you probably don’t need to do this step. But if you are buying many gifts for people like your husband or children, create a table for each, that includes items purchased, item costs, and subtotals. That way you can keep a running total of how much you’ve spent as you shop and know when you’ve reached your financial limit. Using an “Item Cost” field in the Gift-Buying chart might help you choose which items will be the most cost desirable for you.
I’ve actually stolen this charting idea from my mother and her mother before her, but the key is to apply it and make sure you record all essential data. The best part of the chart system for me is that if you keep a list of ideas the person might like along the way, it’s not so overwhelming come holiday time.

Article written by: Written by Carrie Beth Burns © 2008 butyoudontlooksick.com