I scurry around the house looking for the usual suspects. Bottle of wine? Candles? Coffee mug? Picture frame? Does this ornament look used? Does this book look read? I don’t have time to bake cookies. Those earrings I never wear? This fancy box of tea that I never opened? Does tea expire?
Oh for crying out loud, who wiped their hands on those new Christmas dish towels?
I’m tearing through the house, scrambling through drawers, searching for hidden treasures with tags. The unused, unworn, unwanted. My ride to book club is idling in the driveway and I’ve just been reminded that tonight is the holiday gift exchange. The what now?
I’ve been down this road so many times. The bottle of wine from my trunk as a baby gift to new parents. The brand new bracelet I bought for myself, wrapped up for a friend who brought me a holiday surprise. The warm, fuzzy candy cane socks I had to regift. Darn. They looked really cozy.
It’s at this moment my oldest chooses to school me with a story about his girlfriend’s gift closet. How have I become this many years old and never heard of a gift closet?
I’ve done some research. Seems many people cleverer than me have space set aside stocked with little gifts. They range from a box under a bed to an entire closet, complete with accompanying gift wrap and ribbons. Gifts for all occasions just waiting to be shopped at home. Things perfect as hostess gifts, housewarming presents, birthdays and holidays. Scented candles, pretty scarves, luxurious lotions, funny mugs, silver frames, fancy pens and beautiful journals, waiting at the ready for their time to shine. “I’m thinking of you” tokens of affection.
The idea becomes an early resolution. I’m going to Marie Kondo myself an organized gift closet because that will certainly bring me joy. Right after I grab the Mr. and Mrs. Claus salt and pepper shakers from the table and stuff them in this gift bag.