:mrgreen:

Four Months Until Christmas!

[clapping]

So, just wondering what you all are planning for gifts. I'd really like to make things this year.

Any ideas?!

Trying to plan but not getting very far yet. I have bought only one present so far.

Hey good point, Kate! Thanks for reminding me. :mrgreen:

My DD has already seen the fabric and knows what it's for, but I was thinking that I could make her a Dora pillowcase for Christmas.

I know.....Yikes! I usually bake & give a game to the families :-D Not sure about this year [whatwacko]

Thanks for posting this Kate. Christmas has really been on my mind lately. Most of the gifts that I plan on buying are already in my Amazon wish list and I am buying them a little at a time and planning on having everything bought by the beginning of November so I can have them wrapped and done by Thanksgiving.

I am working really hard to stay on top of things this year. My Christmas pictures/cards have already been bought so all I have to do is type my letter and stuff envelopes after Thanksgiving.

DH laughs at me because he says he can ask me what we are having for dinner on Thursday of next week and I already have it planned out in my "pocket brain" which I keep in my purse. So true, but this is the only way I have found to keep the whole family on track...just plan REALLY far ahead!!!

I *knew* it was the end of August... but I just didn't even stop and think about how close Christmas is!! Yikes!

Really?? It's only 4 months away?? I've done absolutely NOTHING so far...guess I should at least come up with a plan;)

Since funds are tight we are planning on making almost everything gift wise. I have a list of things going that I want to make for each person. Mostly soap, dolls, etc. Everything can either be made cheaply or with items I have just sitting around the house. It's a nice challenge although I am hoping that I have enough time to get it all done, especially with a new baby in the house. Eeks! I can't believe it's only 4 months away. Even with my list I suddenly feel far behind.

On another note, we decided not to do Christmas cards this year. We are going to write a Christmas letter and then if we get a card from someone we will just send them a letter instead. Save some money that way. I sound so cheap don't I.

Oh no! I didn't realize. We draw names for the adults in DH's family because there are so many of us but all the kids get presents. So I have bought for 3 of my nephews but that's it. I haven't bought anything for my side of the family but that only consists of 5 people. I've been looking for my boys because my parents and in-laws both want lists for them and that works out so I don't have to take duplicate stuff back. My parents are getting us new end tables for our great room so I've also been looking some for those. The bad part is so many of the good family owned furniture stores here have closed because of the economy. So I'm resorting to online looking.

Ha! :D I hadn't thought about it in those terms.... that said I'm almost done Christmas shopping for my kids and 10 neices and nephews. I think I have three left. While I do *try* to get shopping done in advance, it just sort of happened this year - a lot sooner than I had anticipated. But I'm not complaining! I was just in the right place at the right time and found little gifts that were just perfect. :D I have one little thing for dh to open Christmas eve, but still need to get one for Christmas Day. Not sure what that is going to be.

Since funds are tight we are planning on making almost everything gift wise. I have a list of things going that I want to make for each person. Mostly soap, dolls, etc. Everything can either be made cheaply or with items I have just sitting around the house. It's a nice challenge although I am hoping that I have enough time to get it all done, especially with a new baby in the house. Eeks! I can't believe it's only 4 months away. Even with my list I suddenly feel far behind.

On another note, we decided not to do Christmas cards this year. We are going to write a Christmas letter and then if we get a card from someone we will just send them a letter instead. Save some money that way. I sound so cheap don't I.

I think things are tight for *everybody* right now. There are a few in our family who will get their nose out of joint for not getting a "Gift", but really?? I think a nice *heartfelt* letter or card should be *plenty*! Especially if it's genuinely given out of care, love and consideration. Don't you feel one bit bad about that!

I think things are tight for *everybody* right now. There are a few in our family who will get their nose out of joint for not getting a "Gift", but really?? I think a nice *heartfelt* letter or card should be *plenty*! Especially if it's genuinely given out of care, love and consideration. Don't you feel one bit bad about that!

I can't say that I've felt bad at all. I have gone at it thinking that homemade is the best way and we are fortunate enough that our family isn't particular about having to have a gift. I have found so many really cool sites that list numerous gifts that you can make for relatively little cost wise. So it's a great challenge for us. I just pray I can get it all done in time. I think once I get going it will be all right. Most of the gifts are the same just personalized.

Just thinking that it would be cool to have a thread somewhere, maybe homemaking, where we could list different gift ideas that can be made rather than bought. :-D