How to Keep a Gift Log and Never Repeat a Gift

A gift log is a simple record of what you gave each person, when, and for which occasion, plus a running list of gift ideas you pick up during the year. Keep one per person, add an entry right after each occasion, and check it before you shop. That alone prevents repeated gifts and turns last-minute panic into a short list.

What to record for each gift

The gift itself, with the brand or color if it matters.
The occasion and the date: a birthday, a holiday, a thank-you.
How it landed: used every day, exchanged, or a polite smile.
The price, if you like to keep gifts balanced between people.

Keep a gift ideas list too

The best ideas show up months before the occasion: a passing "I've always wanted to try…", something of theirs that broke, a book they're curious about. Write it under their name the same day. When the birthday comes, you choose from ideas that came from them.

Where to keep your gift log

A spreadsheet suits one big occasion, like a wedding, but gets unwieldy across many people and years.
A notes app is quick, but ideas and past gifts for different people end up mixed together.
A page per person keeps past gifts, ideas and sizes together — exactly what you need when you shop.

Habits that make a gift log work

Log the gift the day you give it, while you still remember the reaction.
Note the size next to any clothing gift, so the next one fits.
Record gifts you receive too, so you can thank people and return the kindness.
Set a reminder a week before birthdays, so the log helps while there is still time to shop.

Using Sotto as a gift log

Sotto has no separate gift-tracking screen; each person's page does the job. Write a note for each gift you give, with the occasion and date in the first line, and use the Gift Ideas and Wishlist fields for ideas as they come up. Sizes sit on the same page, and a reminder for a birthday or anniversary arrives 7 days ahead, at 9 in the morning. Everything stays on your phone.