It’s almost that time of year again.  Time to begin planning your holiday shopping.  It doesn’t come easy for everyone, but if you are one of the few that has this down, hats off to you!

First I recommend making a list of everyone you will be gifting.  There are plenty of online printable holiday shopping list planners, but I like to use lined paper.  I write the person’s name in pen and leave a blank line under their name.  I put my people in order, I start with my family and then go on to extended family members.  I like to list friends, teachers and others after.

Next, I brainstorm on what types of things I think everyone on the list would like.  What I might like to get them or ideas I need to investigate further. This is where I like to write in pencil, on the line under the gift receiver’s name.

Once an item has been purchased, I like to erase what I have written in pencil, change it to pen and mark where I have hidden the gift.  **This is key, as I have a tendency to lose items in my closet or forget which closet I have buried purchased gifts.  I also like to staple receipts to this paper list.  I have put receipts in an envelope in the past, and lost the envelope.  (It’s hard being me.)

Once the person on my list has a complete gift, purchased and put away somewhere in my house, I cross off their name completely with pen.  This makes me feel like I have completed something great.  I am a list maker and I love the feeling of crossing off anything on my list.

Now, off to make my list…and brainstorm….