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WFMW: Write Down Your Gifts

WfmwbannerHave you ever bought someone a Christmas gift, then hidden it, and lost it?  And then you clean out your closet two years later, and there it is, right behind the too-small jeans, except now nobody plays with Rescue Heroes anymore?

Uh, yes ma'am.  Many times.  The more kids I had, the more likely this scenario became.  Or--and this is the worst--I'd find that I'd spent too much one person and not enough on another, and the whole thing felt unbalanced, causing a last-minute scurry. 

A few years ago, I started keeping a close record of what I was buying, and for whom.  It's simply a list, {DRYER CHILDREN, STOP READING} kept in the back of my daily planner.  I start it in the fall, when I first start mulling over gift ideas.  When a child mentions something they'd like, I record it on my list.  When I've actually purchased it, I circle it.  When I've gift-wrapped it (oh, the sense of completion) I cross it off. 

Then (and this is key), if I hide it someplace weird, I write down where I hid it.

This list isn't only for my kids' gifts, either.  I keep every gift idea/record I have on ONE piece of paper, with notes jotted about sale prices and sweater sizes and any other relevant bit of info.  That way I can take it with me when I go shopping.  It has saved me a ton of stress, and a good bit of money, too.

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Have a Works-For-Me Wednesday tip you'd like to share?  I'd love for you to join us!  First timers, check out the guidelines herePlease note that the links will close at 8 pm CST tonight, in order to keep away the spammers! 

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1. Blue Castle (Creative Recycling)
2. Audra Krell (Stay home on BF)
3. Memarie Lane (Another Use for Diapers)
4. Amy @ Experience Imagination (donate expired coupons & old towels)
5. We are THAT family (Thanksgiving & Kids)
6. The Well-Rounded Woman (Hair Tales: Straight \'n\' Easy)
7. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (Smells Like Christmas COOKIES)
8. kitchendoor (chilling out)
9. Raise Them Up (Frugal Useful Homemade Gift)
10. Life with Kaishon (great giveaway!)
11. Amy @ Finer Things (Fireproof Your Marriage
12. A Simple Walk (bribery)
13. The Diaper Diaries (Christmas Shopping)
14. The Happy Housewife ~ Christmas Trees
15. Jenny (Holiday Traditions)
16. "Cents"able Momma (Thanksgiving Ideas)
17. Lisa@BlessedwithGrace(mess free fingerpaints)
18. Andrea(Heat Embossing)
19. Melissa @ Miss K Cooks (Turkey Day Tips)
20. Muses of Megret (rainy day fun!)
21. Joelle (flu season tips)
22. Happy To Be At Home (stuffing balls)
23. Betty Beguiles (Look Ten Pounds Thinner)
24. Steph at Red Clay Diaries (Tablecloth Craft Memento)
25. Pam at BeyondJustMom (virtual reunion)
26. cool mum (frugal family in NYC)
27. Musings of a Housewife (holiday gift guides)
28. GROCERY CART CHALLENGE ($5 or less Christmas gifts)
29. Repurposed (homemade fabric softener)
30. Green Baby Guide (Thanksgiving Recipes)
31. Fiddledeedee (Hair Color)
32. Owlhaven( Easy Dessert)
33. Christmas at our house (quick dinner)
34. Tricia (Black Friday Shopping)
35. Amy (Hosting 40 people for Thanksgiving on a $60/wk grocery budget)
36. Many Little Blessings (Home Baked Christmas Gifts - Plus Giveaway!)
37. Julie ("perfect" cookies)
38. Impress Your Kids (christmas gifts)
39. Working Mom (Pretty Pies)
40. Julie From Inmates (Those Pretzel Things)
41. Amy @ A Day in the Life (Thanksgiving Fancy Mac and Cheese)
42. Shauna (felt food)
43. Teach your child a hymn to sing on Thanksgiving
44. Tammy W @ pink stinx
45. Here\'s The Diehl (baby\'s changing table)
46. The Clark Chronicles (5 in a row!)
47. Miche @ Coordinated Chaos(washable poster paint-great for making cards!)
48. What About Mom (Confessions of a Martha)
49. MamaMay @ Christ, Coffee and Knitting Needles (getting Hubby (or any male) to he
50. asnipofgoodness how to get encouragement
51. Daily Dwelling (how we\'re doing Santa)
52. Carol - (Secret Stash)
53. Thrifty Jinxy (Edible Playdough)
54. Lori~SimpleLifeatHome (Littles & Christmas Trees!)
55. Lizzie\'s Home (dealing with paper clutter)
56. Extreme House Wifeing (Potty Training)
57. Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers (Thanksgiving Meals Solutions)
58. Chanelle (~*~Before and After Hair Cut~*~)
59. Lindsay @ Passionate Homemaking (homemade produce wash)
60. Lindsay @ Passionate Homemaking (nutritious gingerbread pancakes)
61. Amyswandering (Make-A-Wish & Santa)
62. Tanya (splurge for the holidays)
63. Mommy Bee (black friday sales online)
64. Penny Raine
65. Lynn (Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread)
66. Lynne (FREE Facial!)
67. Krisi (Freezing Casseroles)
68. Lee (networking with other mommies)
69. Col @ gigablonde (using the gift of emotions)
70. Joanna @ OneKrustyMama (Easy Peasy Bran Muffins)
71. mom2my9 (How to cure hiccups)
72. Heidi @ Blue Eyed Blessings (simple idea for Thanksgiving table)
73. Kristine (Black friday tips)
74. Tina (party notebook)
75. Sarah Mae (Teach Your Kiddos the 10 Commandments EASY!)
76. Mozi Esme (Kid Crafts)
77. Se7en (Crafty gifts that do or don\'t work)
78. Kate\'s Kitchens: Going Green in style
79. Kim (must have gadget)
80. Steph @ Problem Solvin Mom (e-cards to benefit KIDS)
81. Kimba@A Soft Place to Land (diy tablecloth)
82. Jolanthe (Teaching Times Tables)
83. Jolanthe (Teaching Times Tables) right link
84. BusyMom (shaving cream alternative - updated link)
85. Susan (FREE pet bedding)
86. Michelle- This One\'s for the Girls (FREE book giveway!!)
87. Occupation: Mommy (Free learning games!)
88. JessieLeigh(3 Car seats- HELP?!?)
89. I Blame Mom (cutting baby\'s nails)
90. Trixie @ Farmhomelife (How to Save Big Bucks)
91. Paula (Clutter-Free Gift Ideas)
92. Jennifer, Snapshot (fun exercise!)
93. PurpleFrangipani (DIY childs mannequin)
94. Frugal Fulfillment (Personalized Coasters)
95. Lori (clear sinuses)
96. Mom24@4evermom (hospital gifts)
97. Gina @ Six in the Country (Easy, Elegant Garland)
98. heidi (nacho therapy)
99. Sheila ~ To Love, Honor and Vacuum (ending gift giving chaos!)
100. Bailey\'s Leaf (Laundry 101)
101. Camian Academy (Keeping Nan in Their Lives)
102. Edi (Faster Pasta)
103. 5intow (homemade magnetic menu)
104. Jerri @ Simply Sweet Home (making Christmas gift lists)
105. TuTu\'s Bliss (Photographing children)
106. Ann (not losing baby socks)
107. Llama Momma (make-ahead gravy)
108. Andrea@rAndom issues (My Planner System)
109. Hanan ( When Embracing a New Faith)
110. Calina (Date your Food)
111. Lynley (travel tips for toddlers)
112. Thia(cook it all!)
113. Frugal Carol - A Frugal New Picture.....
114. Hadias (Don\'t Buy These Anymore)
115. Today\'s Housewife (once a month cooking)
116. Scott (Self-Sufficient Drinking Kids)
117. Hadias (Seasonal Clothes Storage)
118. Hadias (Menu Planning)
119. Heather L. (Quick Draft Stopper)
120. Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet (Road Trip Needs)
121. Amblin (Advent Christmas Bags)
122. The Fat Bottomed Girl (No Boil-over Potatoes)
123. Free 2 Be Frugal (Freezer)
124. Chief Family Officer (brown bag lunch tip)
125. A Frugal Housewife (Giveaway!!!)
126. Joanna @ Grace In The Home (homemade shower cleaner)
127. Amy (Semi-Homemade Pies)
128. Rebekah @Mundane Musings (why we\'re downsizing)
129. Amanda T (Frugal Photo Cards)
130. Karen @ Mommy, I\'m Home
131. SK
132. Trace (Skinny Jeans for Curvy Women!)
133. Clappy Shoes- Substituting Tips
134. Crystal (Four Favorite Desserts)
135. Lorie @ Be Different Act Normal (The Toilet Paper Diaries)
136. Michelle (thankful box)
137. Elizabeth Esther (How NOT To Sew!)
138. KnappKnotes (Yummy Chowder Recipe!)
139. Lively Lileys (Swapping Books)
140. MamaHen(Tasty Turkey)
141. Maren - Bill Organizer
142. Keep It Simple(Shipping savings)
143. Michelle @ Saving Some Green (Toy Rotation)
144. Homemade laundry detergent
145. Anne (YouTube)
146. Roxanne
147. Roxanne (Cute, Easy Turkey Craft)
148. Gina (Free Samples)
149. Carolina Mama (Thanksgiving Helper)
150. Mommin It Up (Buckeye recipe)
151. Janelle (hiding places for presents)
152. Cyndi (adoption-related)
153. Mrs. Sprinkles (Shaving Cream plus GIVEAWAY)
154. Renee (Freezing Cookie Dough)
155. Kirstin: Home Box
156. Laryssa (Germ Killer)
157. Bronwen
158. Ginny ~ (ReStore bargains)
159. Fuschia: Weight-loss
160. Leaving Excess (Make Ahead Meatloaf)
161. Amy (Cleaning the Microwave)
162. Luanne @iwantmk (Puffy Eyes & Dark Circles?)
163. Reading Rosie (Fun Learning)
164. Kaley (self tanner that works)
165. Abbi ( A favorite easy meal)
166. Aimee (The Mother Load)
167. Valerie at Home (Rockband and little ones)
168. Moms by Heart (How to Love my In-Laws)
169. Holli T. (getting the kids involved)
170. Petersonclan (Keeping Track of Rewards)
171. What\'s Cooking (easy cheap Thanksgiving centerpieces)
172. The Things We Do (Dave Ramsey book/CD sale!)
173. Will / A New Membership
174. Robin@Heart of Wisdom (Thanksgiving Harvest)
175. Heart at Home (Homeschool Happenings)
176. Noelle @ 6 Silly Sullys
177. Amanda (organizing ideas)
178. Thia(ground meat)
179. Schmamy (sunshine as bleach)
180. Emily @ Little Home (Hanging the Stockings)
181. Katie (being a good guest or host)
182. Nichole (weight control)
183. Organising Queen (decluttering children\'s toys)
184. Susan (Homemade Holiday Cards)
185. Amy@GrowingLikeTrees:Handmade gifts for Teenagers
186. Shannon-homemade cranberry sauce
187. Jerri (Easy Label Removal)
188. Toni (game plan)
189. Betsy (book shopping for kids -- seeking suggestions)
190. chanelireli(how I keep my house clean)
191. flexible dreams (earning money)
192. Suzanne :: Adventures in Daily Living :: (Stocking Stuffer Ideas)
193. Miss Mommy (Shopping Before the Sun Rises)
194. Christine (when life is hard)
195. Heather (master packing list)
196. Crayl (Teach Thankfulness)
197. Jessica @The Cyrial Bowl
198. Jen @ Sabbatical Mom (Party invites & thank yous)
199. justanotherday--leather couch stains
200. Jen Zug (toyless Christmas)
201. Heather (cheap eye makeup remover)
202. Jamie/penguinsandladybugs (keep pets from peeing and keep fleas at bay)
203. Nicole (chore chart success!)
204. Maria (The Season of Giving - The Frugal Way)
205. Melody @ KidsandCakes (cinn. roll-rolling with less kitchen mess)
206. Brandi
207. Amy @ Buffaloes (Tablecloths & kids)
208. Brandi (Double Layer Pumpkin Pie)
209. Kathy
210. Tidymom(Have Pie? Will Travel)
211. Kathy (Gravy recipe)
212. SheMom - Date Night Idea
213. Grateful for Grace (for today specifically!)
214. Michele @ Frugal Granola (Homemade Air Freshener)
215. Amy W (great full hearts book)
216. Tamara (encouraging reading)
217. Tari - The Grass Widow\'s Diary (green gift wrap)
218. Tanya (Removing Wallpaper Adhesive)
219. MemeGRL (vertical tree lights!)
220. Martia
221. Frugalchick (low tech password keeper)
222. mzzterry(advent tradition idea)
223. Anna (Easy hems)
224. Totallyscrappy (Fun Advent/Christmas Tradtion)
225. Sandi ( Help for Canker Sores / Mouth Ulcers)
226. Tabitha (digital holiday cards)
227. Beth @ A Quest for Relevance (Quick Dinner)
228. Jenna (pretzels dipped in chocolate)
229. Jacquelyn @ Because I Said So! (simplifying school lunches [contest too!])
230. Catherine (Kids and chores)
231. Sandwiched (Free Christmas music!)
232. Beverlydru (Easy Instrument)
233. Jilann - Pie Dough
234. Ann Kroeker (pumpkin pie & potato tips)

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