At Christmas, I really want to buy things for my friends and family that are original, cute and one of a kind. When I find that perfect item, I buy it in bulk. 

This fall I purchased ten down-filled zipper jackets at the Old Navy Sweet 16 sale. The $45.00 down-filled zipper jackets were marked down to $16.00.

I bought them in brown, white, teal, black and green.  In every size. I bought for my two sisters, four nieces and four cousins. I thought, "what a hoot when they all open their gifts on Christmas Eve to find the same item!"

At my house, everyone knows what they are getting after the first gift is unwrapped. My gifts also make for a great photo, when everyone lins up wearing the same item, but in different colors. My gifts are the laugh of the Eve.

I first started bulk gift giving when I was working full-time and was pregnant, while managing a one and a two year-old.  I really could only handle one or two shopping trips a season, so I had to make it worth my while.

These days I have 40 people on my Christmas list. I look for deals and load up my cart. I have a reputation to uphold and a tradition to continue.

I applied my strategy to the gifts I buy for teachers, coaches, instructors and scout leaders. I am sick of giving Dunkin' Donuts gift cards! 

I stopped in Pier 1. Festive and decorated, it's a labyrinth of goodies, but not a place for kids or bulky pocketbooks, I warn you. Many things caught my eye, like the stemware, frames, candles and candle holders.

I found little glass mosaic jewel boxes in all colors, pinks, blues and gold for $12.95 each. Counting teachers, student teachers and the student teacher observers, I needed to buy nine boxes.  So I did. I was so excited to give it to them as they can either keep them at school on their desk or they can add them to a home collection.

For the male teachers, a great find: a black 5-bottle iron wine rack for $12.00.  There were not too many left so I bought the last four.  (Hey, if you have one of my three kids you need a glass of wine every now and again!)

At Kohl's, I found great Fila Sport Intensity Fleece Track Jackets. Normally $50.00, they were on sale for $29.99 with an additional 30% off (I used an Internet coupon)!  What a steal! I bought four of these, for my brother, two brothers-in-law and cousin.

Thank goodness they live in different towns, so there is less of a chance they will be seen out in public in the same jacket.