Christmas is three months away. For some of us, that may seem like an eternity. For me, an avid and persistent believer in early shopping, that just means that it’s time to get moving. Having 90% of my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving lets me have extra cash in December for holiday parties and special treats, not to mention a lot less stress and an ability to enjoy my family more and make even more special memories. Harried holidays are not joyful to me!

I’m a list-maker. I love writing things down. It’s the only way I can remember things, actually, now that “mommy brain” has set in somewhat. I work in notebooks….they’re stackable and toteable. They are expandable and customizable. I have a holiday notebook just for Christmas plans. There are SO many ways to customize a holiday notebook….and the only site you’ll ever need for ideas and printables is Organized Christmas.

I’ll pause for a moment while you swoon at all of the great organizational tools on this site. Ready to go on? Okay. Let’s go.

I keep a running list most of the year of gifts that come to mind. I narrow them down and purchase the ones I choose, then save all sheets to refer to next year (so I can glean ideas from last year’s “runner up” gift ideas).

Another great, great tool (especially if you like to do some of your shopping online) is Amazon’s Gift Organizer (go look under their “Gifts & Wish Lists” tab at the top of their homepage). I used to think this was the same thing as their Wish Lists, but it is SO NOT. It is so much more. It keeps track of items you select for gift ideas, saving them under family member’s names or other categories. It keeps track of what you purchase, as well as the ages of your gift recipients, and then offers you spot-on ideas for similar gift items. Love it. LOVE it!

These are just a couple of ways I help organize and navigate gift-buying for Christmas. Works for me!

Go read other WFMW solutions at Rocks In My Dryer!