ok... here I go.... It's a Christmas Plan....

**bumplett** · 08-25-2008, 09:42 PM

sooooo - I realized that we only have about 125 days until Christmas....

ok, ok, I can still pull it off -

I can DOOOO it...

my goal: to not only NOT use any credit card (cause they are the :devil: ) but to also NOT use any $ out of our savings or checking accts.

I've never tried this before... I usually take xxx amount out of checking or savings and use it for xmas, but I'm going to TRY to pull $ out of the magical turnip this year...

First into the xmas turnip pot goes a random $5 Target gift card that came in the mail (attached to something, but I don't remember what?) (no exp date)

Next, two friends and I are going to have a yard sale in Sept - ALL of my proceeds will go into my xmas turnip.... (goal = $75)

also, I'm cashing in my MyPoints for a $50 KB Toy gift card

wish me luck....

I'll let you know how it goes.... (fingers crossed)

~~ we need a turnip smilie ~~

**perSue** · 08-25-2008, 09:53 PM

That sounds like a GREAT idea!

That's what I do w/most of the gift cards I get over holidays... I'll wait for upcoming holidays/bdays, etc. & use them for gifts for others.

But I think your 'magic turnip' is a wonderful idea!

**bumplett** · 08-25-2008, 09:56 PM

hmmm.... I never thought of saving all the gift cards throughout the year.... that's a good idea.

I was going to USE the gift cards (Target & KB toys) to BUY gifts..... I can stttttttttretch that $50 really well for two boys.....

I can't resist.... I'm going to look on ebay for a turnip piggy bank....

**perSue** · 08-25-2008, 10:03 PM

lol, i couldn't find a piggy 'turnip' bank... but here's a bank you can actually visit that's a turnip!
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=1679279

LOL!

**bumplett** · 08-25-2008, 10:05 PM

Priceless!!

no luck on a 'turnip' bank here either

bummer....

but maybe someone in the village that has crafty skills can come up with a way to make one? ((hint hint, nudge nudge))

**bumplett** · 08-25-2008, 10:09 PM

http://www.piggybankworld.com/piggy-banks/home.php

but no turnip.

**bumplett** · 08-25-2008, 10:11 PM

http://www.banksbanksbanks.com/

but NOOOOOO turnips!!!!!!!

**perSue** · 08-25-2008, 10:13 PM

lol

well if you know how to make ceramics, that'd be simple enough to either mold by hand or create a plaster cast mold and make.

OR

you could make a simple plastic canvas one

OR

take an old tin (coffee or other), paint, papier mache, cut/mold/bend, decorate somehow.

OR

take a cheap plastic or tin (or other metal) "holder" you want in the relative shape and size you want to store money/things in... and sew a turnip and attach to the "holder"... even make a sewn lid with turnip leaves coming out! lol

lotsa options!

lol

**bumplett** · 08-25-2008, 10:16 PM

LOL!!!

**perSue** · 08-25-2008, 10:21 PM

LMAO!

I got the ideas... just gotta "DO" the work! lol

**Maine Girl** · 08-26-2008, 08:14 AM

How many people are you buying for this year? What are you thinking of buying for your kids? Good luck on your plan.

**mommy4ever** · 08-26-2008, 10:39 AM

I'm *thinking* for my parents that they can have a week at our campsite. I know mom would love it, she gets all of July off every year. Not sure dad would have time, but he could make it! They could go Sun-Fri, we leave . With no one bugging them, jsut a week relaxing. Now sure how they'd feel about it. I'll talk to dh about it. I know they wouldn't ruin anything. (it wouldn't cost us anything! At least I don't think so. might be $5/night each for them to stay out there, I'll need to talk to the site to see what the rule is). They don't want any more stuff.

the 3 younger neices are getting webkinz(bought at $5 each), and will make them each a scarf and fingerless gloves.

The older neice will get a scarf, fingerless gloves and a g/c.

Older nephew cash.

Teachers will get a nice letter from us as parents, and usually a little gift, ornament that i make, from the kids.

Bestfriends of the girls get something knitted or embroidered. Something "cool".

DB and SIL we have a $50/gc (won at dh Christmas party).
BIL - dh will get something he gets something on sale and practical, battery charger, tools, etc.
SIL likes her drivethru coffee, I'll get her a variety of small g/c for different shops. It was a huge hit last year. No stress for me

MIL and FIL we'll get something camping related. I'm thinking dh and I will make them Montana Golf game, with a variety of different rules, such as California golf, etc. And MIL gets a special Christmas ornament as I do everyyear, usually an addition to her Christmas village. DH will get a little something for his dad yet too. Like his brothers, practical.

For our kids, we have the main family gift, we purchased a Wii. We'll get a few accessories and games. Then for the individuals, they'll get home made jammies,an outfit and a bookstore gc for their stockings with the usual, toothbrush, hair accessories etc.

**Katybird** · 08-26-2008, 11:11 AM

A co-worker pointed out at shortly after midnight on the 25th (I work a night shift) that it was just 4 months till Christmas

. I am starting my knitting projects for scarves for my DD, sisters, SIL, neice and Mom. I have several other projects in the works for the others in the family. I am hoping that I can manage Christmas for under $200 out of pocket this year.

It sounds like you have a great plan in the works for your Christmas.

**Maine Girl** · 08-26-2008, 02:35 PM

So far i am really doing well not only craft wise but money wise too.

I have three scarfs done. I have bought 4 books at goodwill for gifts paying 1.99 a piece. After labor day i have to buckle down and get some crafts done. Also need to pick up some baking supplies for gifts in a jar. I am still debating whether to make movie gift baskets.

**itsahumanzoo** · 08-26-2008, 03:24 PM

Oh my goodness, I have nothing started for Christmas! That's a good idea saving your gift cards. I recently cashed in my mypoints for a $50 target gift card. I might just hold onto it for Christmas instead of spending it on diapers, since those are budgeted for anyway. Unfortunately, DH likes to buy nice things for his family, since he thinks he owes them, so a home made Christmas just will not do. I should start scouring the bookstores though for books his family might enjoy, and that'll take care of one gift each. I have a friend who works at a bookstore so she does give me a discount sometimes. It's going to be busy for me doing Christmas AND having a new baby arrive! :/