Anyone else keep a record of what they've bought for Christmas gifts?

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

Going back years?

I've got a spreadsheet that I started keeping in 2008. A tab each year for the kids, and another for the rest of the family.

At first it helped me budget.

Then it helped me avoid buying duplicate gifts - or keeping track of which book in a series I might get someone if they'd enjoyed the one the previous year I'd given them.

Now, as my kids are 24 and 20, it is a bit nostalgic to look back at what I bought them back in 2008 onwards. What little things they were into in the various years.

A bit sad too, when people are no longer on the list for gifts after a certain year.

Yes but not on a spreadsheet. Just to keep things fair. I've 12 close family to buy for.

Yes spreadsheet goes back to about 2008 as well. Really good for avoiding duplicate gifts over the years. And showing how much more expensive the DC get as they've got older!

Yes, I have an app (Santa's Bag) and have used it for a few years. I realized I had to start tracking after one Christmas where DD didn't get all her presents as I had forgotten where I had hidden the presents throughout the house.

Yeap. In beautiful notes books. Mine start around 1998! Stops me buying one person toiletry bags 3 years running etc and I often jot down ideas which, if not used this year, can be the next. And as PP says, it's much harder to forget hidden gifts!

I was just thinking of doing this! Pretty sure I've bought my dad the same aftershave 3 years in a row and the same scented candle for my mum 🤣 I'm not very original so at least this would help me.

No but I sort of wish I had. I use an app called gift list where you can make lists and tick off when they're bought and wrapped (though I'd like another column to tick off when stuff ordered online has arrived). But I just use it each year it doesn't save a history. I do find it helpful for not forgetting about stuff I've bought.

For the last six or so years, I’ve bought a cute Christmas planner each year from
etsy. It’s not just for gifts- I plan my social outfits, what festive baking I’m going to do, etc etc. I keep them all in a huge box with my decorations and wrapping paper and love getting them all out at the start of the season and flicking through to see what I bought for people, getting reminders of great recipes etc etc.

I just use the notes app on my phone to keep track of what I’ve bought and how much I’ve spent

Yes, not a spreadsheet, but I've kept those 5 year diaries for the past 50 years! I've always written lists in the back of presents given/received for Xmas, birthdays, etc., so I've got records going right back 50 years! (Also 50 years of daily diary notes as to what I did each day and other "interesting" things!).

Going to steal your idea! I do a spreadsheet but only for the current year's gifts, although I always forget what i've gotten people the year before for birthdays/xmas, and this would help a lot😂

I've got a red velvet notebook that I use to keep track of gifts each year. It also has a list of who to send cards to, sadly too many crossed out now they're no longer with us.
At the very back I keep a list of what food to buy each year along with notes of eg which shop bought Christmas pudding was the best

Yep. I’m an accountant so my life is on a spreadsheet 😂

Yep, but only real yin the past few years and mostly to make sure I've been even-handed.

I have a record going back years (almost decades) of the annual Christmas meat order. Some of them are scribbled on the back of letters from the primary school the DC went to - archive items now that everything is messaged.

Yep but I have lost many to old computers.

I keep photos too of most years but lost one or two to old computers dying too.

Love a christmas spreadsheet or three: gifting, food shop and christmas card lists! 🎅 📄 🌲

I have an address book for Christmas cards

I too have a spreadsheet but only for the kids. Goes back to 2016.

It tots up the total spend and sometimes shows if it’s wrapped or not and where I’ve hidden it!

Yes spreadsheet. I usually start it with links to Xmas ideas by name, then if I don't get something I can crib it next year!

And tragically I have cost/actual cost columns to measure spend. Again to help me forecast for next year.

I'm not even an accountant 🤣 This is probably evident as maintaining it gets a bit hit or miss!

God yes. Lists. Records. Photos of the lists when out shopping. Reduces stress!

Is that the red one with a picture of a gift? If so you can save old lists, go to settings on the top left and there’s an archive option.