Anyone else have a Christmas gift spreadsheet?

[2kidsintow]

Want to know how much I spent on my DDs in 2010?
Or what I bought my Mum in 2009? I can tell you.

I love filling in my spreadsheet. My OH even got carried away and put in some conditional formatting for me that made it turn green if I ticked to box to say the items had arrived at my home.

It's been interesting to see how inflation has affected my costs. And I can look back and remember what my kids were REALLY into that year. And it has prevented me buying duplicates of things.

I love my spreadsheet.

Not a spreadsheet, but a password protected list on my iPod.

My christmas journal and I suddenly feel sub-standard

I dont, but I have purchased this bad boy for this year and I can't wait to start filling it in properly!

Am thinking spreadsheet would have been more cost effective though

I have one too

I really want one but have no idea what to put in the columns. I tried on my mac and failed, I'm a complete technophobe. Would anyone be kind enough to give a few pointers?

I've got one just listing presents... just scared myself with the amount I've bought for DCs stockings!!

Meeee! I also track what presents people have given me so i dont inadvertently give the same gift (or worse regift to them.

Love mine. Only started this year so am a newbie in amongst all the professionals on here.

Kackered I'm on a mac but use MS office for mac so am using excel and is easy peasy. My column titles are each person (I have 2 DD and 3DSDs) - two columns per person (one gift description, one gift price) then their list of gifts underneath. the first group of gifts underneath their name are stocking fillers (teeny stuff), then santa prezzies, then books grouping (they get quite a few books), a clothing grouping then at the bottom of the column I've set the sum equation to add up the total.

I would love one but I always leave myself logged in on the pc so the children would see it. Also, how do you list sticking fillers on them in a manageable way? I have a journal each year and I list every item I have bought as I have 5 dcs and it's the only way to keep track of everything. I average 70 stocking fillers per dc ( keeps them quiet) and this seems more manageable to note on paper. And you can't take a spreadsheet to the shops can you?

Yes, I have one.

It has tabs showing previous years etc. it is very useful and colour coded as to whether item has been thought of/bought/wrapped. I have a fair few people to buy for.

Parsnipcake - you've made me feel so much better. Just realised I've bought about 40 stocking fillers for DDs which I thought was far too many!

Mine only have about 7 or 8 stocking fillers so tis easy for me. And I do most of my shopping online so tis easy again just to open up spreadsheet while shopping to update or check purchases as I go. It is interesting how we all work differently - I think you should stick with what works for you . If I was hitting the high street, I'd definately prefer notebook - I just don't do the high street much.

Iloveholidays how BIG are your stockings ? Ohh err missus!

I am using an app for the first time this year, it's called Better Christmas List and it's great!

70 may seem over the top but there are all sorts of very cheap and free bits in there - makeup samples, vouchers to rifle through my nail polishes etc. just realised I have to wrap 350 things though!

The notebook works but a spreadsheet sound so ace. I tried an app but couldn't work it out.

They are "big" stockings, but not huge. Its all very little stuff - just done an order on woolgar toys (so lots of party bag stuff really) and spent about £30 on it all plus I already had about 5 things for each of them. I'll probably end up wrapping some of it together as well, lots of stickers, pencils, pull back cars, magic whistle, bath toys etc.

But yes, I have gone overboard... didn't realise the quantity I'd just ordered as obviously £30 for 2 lots of stockings didn't seem that bad!! :)

I have a christmas list app (android) - I love it!

It logs each person and what you want to buy them and then you tick it off once purchased and put in the price etc.

I also have a countdown to Christmas app which tells you how many sleeps to go

Yes spreadsheet person here too but I would like one for my IPhone and Ipad so might go and investigate that app Meg.

Parsnipcake - I'm with you, although I know DP is going to be gobsmacked when he realises how much I've got! My argument will be that the filled stocking costs about the same as one of the presents he buys for his family members.

Basically I put all the small stuff in the stocking and anything I can't fit in goes under the tree (usually about 4-5 bits plus a main present from FC).

jumpy what app do you use? (nosy)

Also interested in app recommendations!

I have an innovative planning tool called a notebook with ..... a pen !!!!

oooh I was just thinking the other day I needed to get started on shopping and that something like a spreadsheet to keep track of things would be useful..but was worried I was being a bit anal about it, glad to know I'm not the only one!

Am interested in app recommendations then DP won't know how much I spend

Ah yes, a tab for each Christmas and one for birthdays by year, going back to 2009 only though. The gift tracker is a table with recipients across the top and donors in column. Seperate table for stocking fillers by category (books, DVD, pants, choc...) to make sure each is covered and each DC is getting more or less the same. Colour coded for completion only though.
A tab for Christmas card list, one for Christmas party list, one for ideas (DH's column hidden but I know he won't snoop as he likes a surprise) with a small column for regift opportunities.

Have many others of similar ilk, with holiday packing spreadsheet most useful.

I haven't got costs in there to my now great shame and will add them ASAP.

I'm using app called better christmas list (iphone). Used to be list and spreadsheet girl before but had enough code writing DH presents in case he sees my list. Now it's safely password protected App seems quite good but it's just for presents (what I wanted), if you need something for cards, menu plans and stuff like that then it's not for you really.