When I was young my mom had a prize closet. Really it was an antique wardrobe in the guest room, not a closet. The wardrobe had shelves inside that were filled with all kinds of goodies that we children were not supposed to see. Some of the contents were for us. Mom would pull out something special on a particularly stuffy rainy day. Other “prizes” were things she kept on hand to give as birthday presents or hostess gifts to friends. The prize closet always smelled lovely – like candles and lotions and things!
The above dresser is my version of the prize closet. It was actually my grandfather’s dresser, and when my grandmother passed away last year my family had it shipped down from Baltimore. I’m glad to have a larger piece of furniture from my grandparents, and I know my grandmother would have loved that it now houses gifts.
It has taken me 33.99999 years to finally have a gifting system in place. I used to have baskets full of old, wrinkled tissue paper and gift bags I recycled from gifts people gave us. While I still recycle both bags and tissue paper, I now also have fresh tissue paper and craft bags on hand if I need something a bit fancier.
Inside the dresser I have both a grown up and a kids shopping area. As I find things in the world that would make great gifts, I buy them and stash them away until I need something for a friend. I even have a mini gift card stash to some of the local coffee, ice cream, and food places in town.
Then when the party day comes I shop from home.
You might think this takes the thoughtfulness out of choosing a gift that is perfect for each person, but remember I still get to put together a gift – I just already own the contents. And it’s not like if I ever do have another gift in mind I can’t go buy that one ; )
This has been especially great for the kids’ parties that come up all the time. You know that feeling on a Saturday morning when you have a party at noon and realize you don’t have a gift yet? Yes, we’ve all raced to the store on the way to the party. No more! I just shop in my prize closet and have my gift ready in 10 minutes.
Recently I gave away most of my gifts, and I just re-stocked from Amazon. Here were some of the toys that I bought to give to our friends this year. (I hope those 4-year-olds don’t know how to read blogs yet!) This year’s theme is nature and bugs!!
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7
And don’t tell Mazen, but if need be I can always give him one of these! I keep a few things on hand for him too ; )
Tonya says
Great idea! Awesome set up.
Nicole says
This made me nostalgic…my Mom had the same kind of prize/extra gifts/knickknack dresser when I was growing up 🙂
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
That is such a good idea, my closet full of bags and boxes of random gift giving could be better organized!
Sara M says
Great idea and such a special way to use the beautiful chest from your grandparents!
Rachel {the avid appetite} says
I love this idea! I have a gift wrap station on the inside of a closet door and it’s one of my most organized spots in my entire apartment. It makes gift wrapping so.much.easier. I keep wrapping paper, tissue paper, bows, gift bags and various cards on hand. Nothing worse than having to stop off at the last minute and wrap a gift in the car (link if you’d like to see: http://www.theavidappetite.com/home/2013/1/6/spacesaving-gift-wrap-station.html). I love the idea of adding a gift spot to my set up!
Carrie says
I am so in love with this idea!!! And the “theme” – genius! Thanks for sharing!!!
Katie says
Love this idea. Too bad we couldn’t possibly fit something like this into our small San Francisco apartment! Will store this idea away for future use!
Mom says
Love seeing that old family dresser on Katheats and I love that our tradition has continued. Prize cupboards forever!
Pat says
I buy cards ahead all the time, i should consider doing the same with gifts. I keep a list of ideas though that helps.
Jeanie says
I keep gifts on hand, too, but have to search high and low for them when it’s time to gift someone. I am not organized at all, simply because I have too much “stuff.”
Tracy says
I love that you adopted your mom’s great idea! I bet she thinks it’s pretty great, too 🙂
Rosie says
I love this idea and have read its a very “southern” thing to do so I wasn’t surprised to read about it here. Even though I’m a born and bred Northern California girl I have something similar but just on a much smaller scale-its really for small thank you/housewarming gifts for when we are invited to someone’s house. But its also a great idea for all of the kids birthday parties you attend as well. Don’t forget to include cards-kids aren’t picky about those if they are read at all so buying them in bulk means you aren’t dashing to the store for that one remaining item.
Susan says
I did this for my kids too – it’s very helpful many times… even kept something quiet like a book or puzzle in case they weren’t feeling very well.
Leatitia says
That’s a great idea, but I don’t have a proper place to put that kind of stuff, so it ends up cluttering my closet. Also, I would need a place where my son can’t have access too which is a bit tricky! 5 years old can roam anywhere in the house. : )
Alice says
Kath, you are my spirit orgainizational human! I love this idea and always wish I had enough space in my tiny condo (550 sq ft.) to do this.