Christmas is sneakin' up on us! Any smooth sailing ideas?

**MrsOcean** · 10-03-2009, 08:18 PM

Here it is, October already { and just WHEN did THAT happen?? LOL } I was talking with hubby today about getting everything lined up for the holidays earlier this year. And he said, "Well, we are into October already." I said "What?!!" So... I need to start my crisis planning NOW, for the holidays if I want smooth sailing during the next 3 months.

What are you guys planning on starting early so you aren't in the same boat year after year? I'm thinking of making my Christmas cookies by Thanksgiving & packing them away in the big freezer. And hubby makes that Fantasy Fudge for everyone we know - and the list keeps getting longer year after year! LOL The fudge will go into the freezer as well.

I have made the decision that this year will definitely be a 'homemade' gift giving year.

What are your holiday organizing plans??

Paula T

**Debbie-cat** · 10-03-2009, 08:27 PM

Well, I have most of my gifts made already that were going to be handmade. Just a few more things to go and that is really occupying my time nowadays. Next, I am going to get started on baking like you and freeze it in advance. The next nice day we get (hopefully) I am going to shampoo all carpets so they are done and organize and put my Christmas decorations in a place where they are easily accessible when I need them.

I also plan on making my own wrapping paper, Christmas cards, tags and bows this year as well so I have to get busy with that.

I AM going to be ready this year!

**Contrary Housewife** · 10-03-2009, 08:49 PM

I like to keep the holidays low-key. It helps that we don't have a large family and we skip a lot of the drama some families have.

I've got more than enough gift boxes, paper, and greeting cards bought last year on sale. Ditto ornaments and decorations. We don't have a lot of space so we decorate modestly. I think I will have to replace a few strands of lights this year though.

I've started shopping, just small things here and there. We don't blow a lot on lavish gifts. A lot of our friends are of very modest means so we just exchange a couple little gifts.

Turkey breast was on sale today so we got two. So that is one less thing to have to worry about come November.

**mauimagic** · 10-03-2009, 09:09 PM

I start making Christmas presents the day after Christmas - I love working on crafts. Combining what I have done so far with all the freebies I have been getting all year, I think that I have most of the little gifts ready for the eight Christmas stockings I do every year. As for the rest of the presents, I think I am also in good shape there.

This year I want to get our decorations up earlier so we can enjoy them longer. I finally found those little votive lights that run on batteries so I can put them in our windows. Also want to decorate where the pitched roof meets the wall ledge in the living room as something else new.

DH always writes our Christmas letter and I already have the stationery for him - got a great deal at a garage sale.

Love to hear what others have planned!!

**LastDragonfly** · 10-04-2009, 03:13 AM

Well i've been collecting some things here and there all year. This year is hard, my son goes to AFG right before Christmas and my son in law will go sometime after Christmas....I am very un-inspired but I hope to get outta my scroogeness funk. I wanted to decorate in Red white and blue this year so I'm working on a few things.

My daughter in law came down unexpectedly in Sept so i took her to WM and had her picture made alone and with the littles...I am sending that to my son as his gift. Our other grown kids are getting gift cards to have a nice dinner out.

I'm doing some dehydrated gifts for several family members and bff.

I havent made gift bags like I wanted to...but I still have 2 weeks after the co-op semester ends. It would be so handy.

**ladytoysdream** · 10-04-2009, 07:49 AM

Last year, I made everybody knitted or crocheted hats. Not much money to work with and did have the time.

This year, I am thinking to make the families food gifts. I am thinking 8 oz jars of jam so I can do a variety pack. Probably some kind of homemade sweets. I know peanut butter balls are a big hit with this crew. Maybe some fudge and cookies.
I'm starting a list and checking it twice

**TheRootedNomad** · 10-04-2009, 07:59 AM

I don't have anything general I do except try to get things done ahead of time.

This month:

I will be checking my the rest of my stockpile this month and making sure that the extra holiday cooking/baking supplies are available. If there not I'll pay particular attention to ads for them this month.

I will also be baking and starting to marinade the fruitcakes toward the end of this month. Don't laugh --- My mother and grandmother both request these. I don't send them out randomly.

The wrapping, decorations, lights, ribbons, will be inventoried and repaired or restocked if needed.

I will ask for Christmas lists from the kids.

I will start to put together the baskets that I will be giving and wrapping the presents I do have.

**ravenmaniac** · 10-04-2009, 08:37 AM

Lots of homemade gifts. Crocheted dishcloths, cookies, fudge, and chocolate dipped pretzels. My kids get their stocking stuffers, health and beauty aids and candy, one gift of their choice (within reason), and socks, long underwear, etc. I buy my niece and nephew one gift of their choice (within reason).

**Maine Girl** · 10-04-2009, 10:12 AM

I also am doing homemade gifts, which i really love the planning of what i am going to make every year. This year i am behind of getting things done and picking up supplies. i still need to make some decisions on gifts. I have next Monday off and thinking it will be a crafting day.

**craftypam** · 10-04-2009, 11:01 AM

There is a really cool book; Simplify your Christmas by Elaine St James. I really like some of her ideas

**claimsgirl66** · 10-04-2009, 02:39 PM

I am impressed by the creativeness and planning of some of your folks! We also have 5 birthdays in the family around the holidays too which add to the pressure. My big thing has been setting aside some $$ for presents w/each paycheck. I already bought some gifts for the grandkids when on sale, bought some baking items & mixes on sale so can whip up a few things as time permits. My sisters family lives in GA & as she is laid off, I plan to send her & the kids gift cards & a family gift of a gourmet-type food basket that they can all enjoy. We are being more practical this year!

**pollypurebred39** · 10-04-2009, 03:29 PM

Like Maui I started shopping Dec.26th for the following Christmas. I scour the stores for the best clearance deals so I can get the most out of my alloted budget. This year has been amazing on the clearance front. I've really been able to put together some nice gift bags.

As far as those I've got to cover someone gifts (like neighbors, Sunday school teachers, Rangers commanders ect., this year I'm pulling out my old stand by, which they can use to ring in the New Year. A bottle of sparkling juice/wine. Wait till they go on sale for a $1 and get nice wine glasses .50 cents at the thrift, put them in an X across the front of the bottle, then cover with lots of curling ribbon. Looks fabulous.

**Maine Girl** · 10-04-2009, 03:48 PM

ppb I love that idea!!

**MrsOcean** · 10-08-2009, 12:43 PM

I am adding to my original post to say that being this year, so many of our family members are out of work, we have decided to get each family a grocery gift card. We talked it over & decided that a grocery food card would be better this year instead of a department store gift card. During these lean times, we think it would be really appreciated rather than a present to open or wear, at least for our families. One of our local grocery stores had a Cancer Day sale yesterday and 5% of the days proceeds are going to the local cancer center. They had a really good deal on pork loins, beef roasts, and hams. My big freezer is nearly full! Each family (brother-in-law, sister, mom, etc) will be getting a ham, pork loin and beef roast to help feed their family in addition to $100 grocery gift card per family. When the turkeys go on sale next month, I will also get enough of them for each family. We usually get each individual family member a gift card from their favorite store and save money for this slurge all year long. This year, instead of each individual member getting a gift card, it is being combined into a 'family amount' on the grocery gift card. We don't have any small children to buy for anymore, so we don't have to worry about little ones & toys and all that. Everyone knows that we are doing this and seem really thankful for the food cards this year. They don't know about the meat that I have waiting for them in my freezer.... an added bonus! LOL

**frugalfranny** · 10-08-2009, 01:01 PM

I am in good shape except for watching for some good sales on some items in the grocery store. Need a few Xmas type colors of t-shirt so I can make the re-usuable bags I am using instead of wrapping paper. Will get those at a thrift shop. I hardest part will be finding plain ones with no printing on them.

I don't do much decorating since it is just me and no 'little ones' around. I am going to help a friend decorate since she has smaller kids around for the holidays. I am giving all food items this year for gifts.....from canning items from my summer harvest, to candy items, to cookies.

Low stress holiday and I am in pretty good shape.......could use a little help with a pecan sale!!!