Comments on: Never too early to start planning http://www.frugalvillage.com/2009/01/23/never-too-early-to-start-planning/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:22:58 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jeanie Park http://www.frugalvillage.com/2009/01/23/never-too-early-to-start-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-26738 Jeanie Park Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:48:06 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/?p=903#comment-26738 Sara, I wanted to share my son's and daughter's-in-law answer to the economic turmoil this year as well as being earth friendly. This was their answer to our larger (brother & sister and their families) family gathering and exchanging of gifts. They sent our this idea in October before gifts were purchased for family members. We all had a wonderful time playing games, earning money and so, so much less stress. Will it fit? Is it broken? Do they really like it? We have 11 in my family from 6 year old to 66 years and everyone had a good time and found several things they could buy. However, this did not take the place of Santa's visit on Christmas morning with each family. SANTA'S GARAGE SALE: Every family member brings a minimum of three items they’ve outgrown, gotten tired of, or just want to get rid of. Think garage sale! (You can bring more – the more choices we have, the more fun it will be!) Keep in mind the items you think other family members might like Put a price on the item (however much you would ask for at a garage sale.) On Christmas Eve, we will plan “activities” (games such as quizzes, fooseball, Dance Revolution, table games, etc.) that will allow everyone to earn Santa Bucks throughout the evening. When it’s gift giving time, we’ll draw numbers to see in what order we get to go shopping. For example, whoever is number one gets to choose the first item to buy. (No stealing after items are bought.) We’ll continue until everything is unwanted or gone. The only rule is, you can’t go out and buy anything for Santa’s Garage Sale. Homemade treats or handmade crafts are ok. Here are a few more ideas. Books, CD’s, DVD’s, Playstation Games, Gameboy Games, Toys, Jewelry, Tools, Baked/Consumable Items , Homemade Crafts, Kitchen Utensils, Appliances , Vera Bradley Bags, Home Décor, Electronic Devices, Office Supplies, Games, Knick Knacks, Picture Frames, Blankets, Fingernail Polish – maybe you’re tired of the color!, Camping Items, Holiday Decorations, Outdoor Items, Sports Equipment, Bags/Suitcases, Clothes you think might fit other family members, Items you have stored away to “regift” anyway I have shared this idea with several friends and they all wished they had done this. Since we wanted everyone to receive a gift from Grandma and Grandpa and keeping with the Garage Sale idea, I tucked a bill (all the same denomination) into a variety of items I thought they might be willing to "buy"- Jar of dried bananas, homemade cookies, Disney bag, billfold, keychain, book, etc. Then after the buying all except grandma and grandpa could bid on the items and were only allowed 1 thing to buy. Of course it was the 6 year old who discovered the money first! Since gift cards were on nearly everyone's list all were very pleased to receive the money. Jeanie Sara,
I wanted to share my son’s and daughter’s-in-law answer to the economic turmoil this year as well as being earth friendly. This was their answer to our larger (brother & sister and their families) family gathering and exchanging of gifts. They sent our this idea in October before gifts were purchased for family members. We all had a wonderful time playing games, earning money and so, so much less stress. Will it fit? Is it broken? Do they really like it? We have 11 in my family from 6 year old to 66 years and everyone had a good time and found several things they could buy. However, this did not take the place of Santa’s visit on Christmas morning with each family.

SANTA’S GARAGE SALE: Every family member brings a minimum of three items they’ve outgrown, gotten tired of, or just want to get rid of. Think garage sale! (You can bring more – the more choices we have, the more fun it will be!) Keep in mind the items you think other family members might like Put a price on the item (however much you would ask for at a garage sale.)

On Christmas Eve, we will plan “activities” (games such as quizzes, fooseball, Dance Revolution, table games, etc.) that will allow everyone to earn Santa Bucks throughout the evening. When it’s gift giving time, we’ll draw numbers to see in what order we get to go shopping. For example, whoever is number one gets to choose the first item to buy. (No stealing after items are bought.) We’ll continue until everything is unwanted or gone.

The only rule is, you can’t go out and buy anything for Santa’s Garage Sale. Homemade treats or handmade crafts are ok. Here are a few more ideas.

Books, CD’s, DVD’s, Playstation Games, Gameboy Games, Toys, Jewelry, Tools, Baked/Consumable Items , Homemade Crafts, Kitchen Utensils, Appliances , Vera Bradley Bags, Home Décor, Electronic Devices, Office Supplies, Games, Knick Knacks, Picture Frames, Blankets, Fingernail Polish – maybe you’re tired of the color!, Camping Items, Holiday Decorations, Outdoor Items, Sports Equipment, Bags/Suitcases, Clothes you think might fit other family members, Items you have stored away to “regift” anyway

I have shared this idea with several friends and they all wished they had done this. Since we wanted everyone to receive a gift from Grandma and Grandpa and keeping with the Garage Sale idea, I tucked a bill (all the same denomination) into a variety of items I thought they might be willing to “buy”- Jar of dried bananas, homemade cookies, Disney bag, billfold, keychain, book, etc. Then after the buying all except grandma and grandpa could bid on the items and were only allowed 1 thing to buy. Of course it was the 6 year old who discovered the money first! Since gift cards were on nearly everyone’s list all were very pleased to receive the money.

Jeanie

]]> By: vanree http://www.frugalvillage.com/2009/01/23/never-too-early-to-start-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-26305 vanree Sun, 24 May 2009 03:03:52 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/?p=903#comment-26305 i have bought this year 2009 cristmas gift at the 2nd hand store where i found hummel birds and also cats for less then $1o.00;one has a cat colecting and the other has a bird colection i have bought this year 2009 cristmas gift at the 2nd hand store where i found hummel birds and also cats for less then $1o.00;one has a cat colecting and the other has a bird colection

]]> By: Dreamer http://www.frugalvillage.com/2009/01/23/never-too-early-to-start-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-25362 Dreamer Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:58:00 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/?p=903#comment-25362 My wife and I have started a gift fund this year. We opened an account through ING and also deposit $100 a month into it. We plan on using this fund for all gifts throughout the year, not just christmas. I also like the idea of starting a gift list now and finding those things when they come up on sale. We are always trying to figure out what to get people right at the last minute and it usually ends up being something they probably don't want that isn't very thoughtful. I need to keep my ears open all year this year so I can get ideas and then write them down and then if I ever see them on sale get them and that will make Christmas shopping in 2009 a breeze! My wife and I have started a gift fund this year. We opened an account through ING and also deposit $100 a month into it. We plan on using this fund for all gifts throughout the year, not just christmas. I also like the idea of starting a gift list now and finding those things when they come up on sale. We are always trying to figure out what to get people right at the last minute and it usually ends up being something they probably don’t want that isn’t very thoughtful. I need to keep my ears open all year this year so I can get ideas and then write them down and then if I ever see them on sale get them and that will make Christmas shopping in 2009 a breeze!

]]> By: Sara Noel http://www.frugalvillage.com/2009/01/23/never-too-early-to-start-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-25361 Sara Noel Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:15:58 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/?p=903#comment-25361 I have an ING account, too. Same amt deposited. :D I have an ING account, too. Same amt deposited. :D

]]> By: Christina http://www.frugalvillage.com/2009/01/23/never-too-early-to-start-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-25360 Christina Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:13:38 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/?p=903#comment-25360 I started a Christmas fund this year. I opened up a savings account at ING direct online and deposit $100 a month into it. :) I started a Christmas fund this year. I opened up a savings account at ING direct online and deposit $100 a month into it. :)

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