How are your Christmas plans coming along?

[homesteadmamma]

Many of us have said we want to have much of our Christmas stuff done early this year. I'm one of those that said that.

How are your Christmas plans coming along? Do you have much of your shopping already done or any of your crafts you may be making for gifts?

I'm getting a few wall hangings done and have a couple of aprons made so far. Because were having a pioneer Christmas again this year, I want everything done before Sept.

How about you?

[MMP]

One of the things I implimented this year was $50 and or 6 gifts. So I am doing that for birthdays($50/6 gifts). But Christmas is just 6 gifts per person. Some things I might put two items together like clothes. This is my list from another site. * means I know I am getting it but havent yet.

DH
CHRISTMAS

Wyatt
CHRISTMAS

Sara
CHRISTMAS
stuffed animal, 1.25(might put in stocking)
Disney Princess CD computer game with purse, 2.99
Leap Frog*
LF cartridge*
LF cartridge*
sticker book $1
Five Silly Monkeys book $4.47

Bri
CHRISTMAS
stuffed animal, 1.25(might go in stocking)
Disney Princess CD computer game with purse 2.99
LF cartridge*
LF cartridge*
Five Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth $4.47
Sticker book $1

Emma
CHRISTMAS
stuffed animal, 1.25(might go in stocking)
peekaboo blocks*
BabySongs Baby's Busy Day $5.50
Five Wishing Stars book $4.47

MIL
CHRISTMAS
coasters, $1
necklace set $30
sweater, free

SIL,
CHRISTMAS(DONE!!!!!)
coasters, $1
stuffed Tweety, 5.88
Tweety toaster $30
Angel(wooden, I painted) $1
Ocean picture(made with card, free, and frame, .25) .25
necklace $20, but friend gave it to me free

BIL
CHRISTMAS
Mrs Field's Hot chocolate 4.97
Taz dressed in basketball suit(he likes Taz), free
$10 Chili's GC, free, will add another $10 to that one

Robin, neighbor
CHRISTMAS

GIFT CLOSET(this means I have the item but am undecided who gets it)
2 Christmas blankets in a bag, 4.90 each
2 hair conditioners, free

STOCKINGS
2 umbrellas(Sara and Bri)$1 each
Blue's Clues gloves 2.50(Sara or Bri)


Sara, Bri and SIL's Christmas is already done(either have it or know what I am getting).

Bri is getting her Leap Frog for her bday in October so she is getting extra cartridges for that at Christmas. Sara is getting her Leap Frog for Christmas and getting extra cartridges the next week for her bday. Emma will be getting a Peek a Boo Block Giraffe for her bday in August.

DH will probably be clothes and Star Wars books if any new ones are out, so they will be a closer to Christmas item. Maybe software if any good games come out. Havent a clue for DS yet, as you can see. Clothes if he has a growth spurt, some sort of software otherwise probably.

MIL and BIL still have a few gifts to go. BIL is the hardest to buy for as I still dont really know what he likes besides Taz and soft candy.

[MMP]

Oh, wanted to add, Last year I gave BIL a $5 GC for Walmart. That went over GREAT. Might do another this year for a higher amount.

[gkp1031]

Wow, I haven't even thought about Christmas yet. I would like to get a jump on things this year instead of having to fight the crowds in December. I'll put that on my to-do list.

[sunshine]

I have several batches of dandelion jelly and violet jelly made already.

I've made some potholders, hats, scarves, mittens, -- but will wait until closer to Christmas to decide who gets what.

I've started collecting baskets from yard sales (I won't pay more than .25/basket) to put the food gifts in.

[Michele Annette]

I haven't started yet...one of my friends suprised me with another baby this year so that will make my third baby quilt since Janurary...the quilt is due for the shower June 19th, so after that I can concentrate on Christmas.

I'm getting my jars organized and ready for fruit picking so I can make strawberry, blueberry and peach jam. In the Fall I can make my apple butter and pear chutney. Christmas fabric is already bought and washed waiting to be made into bags that house small Christmas breads. I stocked up on gift bags and such from the Dollar store. I want to have a Christmas in July party, to exchange holiday recipes and crafts, but not exactly sure when in July. So far, even though I haven't technically started, I think I have a good handle on the preseason stuff.

[Guest1]

well - fudge....

I was one of those that wanted to have a substantial jump on the season when it rolled back around.....I recall stating that I had a box in my closet that I would put at least one gift in per month until Christmas.....well...I "flung" that box.....

I have started one item though....
I was going to join in the granny square thing and well - once I got started, I couldn't stop, so I'm about half way through an afghan for my mom.....

Hey - it's a start, right?!

[captclearance]

I'm doing "Air Bears" and I have collected about 20 cute, fuzzy bears so far. I have a good number of baskets saved too !
Denise, I used the recipe for "Pepsi Jelly last year and it was a hit, (If not the taste, at least the novelty of it) I would love to do violet jelly, care to share the recipe ?

[sunshine]

Violet Jelly recipe

2 cups violet blossoms, packed
1 quart boiling water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 box pectin
4 cups granulated sugar
1. Wash blossoms and place in 1 quart jar.
2. Cover with boiling water.
3. Cover jar and let steep until next day.
4. Strain using cheese cloth.
5. Add 2 tbsp lemon juice and pectin.
6. Bring to boil.
7. Add sugar and return to boil for one minute.
8. Pour into hot, sterilized jars and seal.

[i.m.cheap]

We do such a simple Christmas that I can get everything done in a couple of days. We really limit our gift giving to the children (includes dd age 8, and grandsons ages 5 and 9) we spend up to $30 on each dgs and $50 or so on dd. I fix dinner on Christmas Eve for anyone who wants to come. Christmas morning is always for just the three of us, DH and dd and me. We have breakfast together and then might watch a Christmas video or play board games.

[Michelle]

I got a $15 Amazon GC today from a rewards (survey) site, and I bought the kids a few gifts with it. Those were the first gifts I bought.

[Jerseygirl]

I have everything for all 3 bil and fil, thanks to Khols 80% off end of season sales, MIL is done and I have a number of generic gifts put away.

[DawnM]

I have just as much fun planning and making lists as I do hunting down the gifts, making things, and deciding on menus... so this year I got started early and we're in good shape so far.

We have dd done including the stuffers.

For ds and ds's gf, we have a thing or two each bought and will give them gc's to go along with that. Still have ds's stuffers to do...he'll be 22, but at long as he's going to school and he calls this home, he'll have a stuffed stocking.

The handful of extended family members we do buy for are done thanks to Kohl's sales a few months ago.

DH - I'll wait until later and get him one great thing...once I come up with that great thing idea! I used up my one idea for his 50th BD next month so I have to come up with another.

Now I'm going to start scanning my project pages and ideas to do a craft or two. I got a lot of cute ideas here last year that I filed away. I just have to decide what I feel like doing and get started early.

I made all reusable fabric bags last year so I won't need any wrapping except tissue for the stuffers (dollar store). Cards, I'll have to give some thought to .. I may decide to craft my own this year.

[voodidit]

Christmas???? Whats's that?? Thank's for ruining my day!! Now I have something else to worry about

[mustang80]

I pretty much have decided that DH mother and sister are getting gift cards this year. I spend all that time shopping and stuff, only to see the gifts still in bags in my sil's garage in July. I'm asking for gc's from them as well, as my gifts went on ebay last year. I know that sounds cold, but they just buy any old thing that's on clearance. I'm sick of getting Eeyore everything, I really don't like him that much.

My niece is tough, but I'll get her toys because she's 8 and all, but she gets so much stuff, a gc for her to Toys R Us might work too. Gc's are great because you can buy them ahead of time instead of spending all that money at once.