Let's Talk Christmas 2007!

**Nada.Leona** · 09-01-2007, 12:17 PM

Okay folks. Put on your elf ears and Santa-style thinking caps! We're only 116 days away from Christmas! And those of us who haven't started Christmas shopping should definitely get on that ball if we want to avoid the "Christmas crunch".

So... Who are you shopping for? What's your budget (collectively or per person)? What have you gotten done? What have you left to do?

Myself, this year, I have to purchase for the following:

My mother
My step-father

My brother
My future SIL

My grandmother (Mom's side)

's Mom

's 1st sister

's 2nd sister

's Dad and step-Mom

's step-sister

's step-brother

's grandmother (Dad's side)

Tempest (older kitty)
Mischief (younger kitty)

My budget... um... *crickets squeaking in the distance*

Yeah.

So, who's next? Anyone have any great budget/homemade/cheap gifts they can think of to give/make/purchase?

**lisettelovebug** · 09-01-2007, 12:38 PM

Right now we are planning on only buying for the kids. I have gotten other things throughout the year for some people, but may not give them if I can't give to others. But maybe we will be able to get a few more gifts for people - we will see. Otherwise I will save these for bday gifts or for Xmas next year. I have gotten dh a few little things but I'm not worried about buying for him. The kids come first.

I figure on about $300. The new baby won't need much and will be less than 2 months old - we're having a shower next week so we should get some stuff we need then. So I figure $50 for the baby. Maybe a few outfits and a couple little toys.

Dd will be 16 months old so there is a lot of stuff I would LOVE to get her, but I won't lol. There's tons of stuff out there that she would like (much of it for less than $20 each) so she will be easy to shop for. I already have some clothes for her put away and will give those to her also. So I will spend $125 on her.

Then ds is another story - he is 9. It's such a bad age for gifts. He doesn't really like toys much anymore and isn't really into teenage things like cds yet. I have $125 put aside for him. He likes remote control stuff - so maybe a plane or something? Some other ideas I had for him were an MP3 player with FM, cheap digital camera. If anyone has any other ideas for a 9 year old boy please share!!!!! He will also have clothes that I have put away.

We always get everyone a pack of socks also.
Besides some clothes I have in a bin, I have also gotten each kid 1 thing. IT's ok that it's going to be a tight Xmas. Ds seemed to complain about a few gifts last year, so I think he really needs to find out what Xmas is about. So, we weren't going to be spending too much on the kids this year anyways.

I would like to have a majority of XMas shopping done by end of OCtober, otherwise I will be doing all my shopping online. After this new baby comes in November, I'm not going to feel like going Xmas shopping.

**Jskell911** · 09-01-2007, 01:06 PM

On the DS idea question:

My son is 10 (11 by Xmas) and he just got a Dragonfly remote control and LOVES it! Bought it himself 1/2 price at WM. It really is a cute R/C toy.

He loves to get "art" supplies, books (LOVES Ripleys or Guinness record books), DVDs, Stuff for "decorating" his room and putting his own personal stamp on it.

Also, bc of his age, adolescence is creeping up, so he gets teen geared bath gels, deoderants, etc, and loves them!

HTH

**sunshine** · 09-01-2007, 01:45 PM

Let's see,

I'll be buying /making gifts for the following:

Dh - going to make a "Wizard Of Oz" doorstop like captnclearance posted a few years ago. Will also give him some romance coupons.

Dd - age 18. She'll get a handmade afghan, quilted tote, a board game of some sort, and whatever else I can find at a bargain.

Ds #1 - 23 yo. . . probably will be a GC to a karate class. He's been wanting to take lessons, so I'll pay for 6 months.

DIL #1 - 21 yo -- in nursing school. Will probably get her GC for gas or fast food (using my points, etc.) I've already made her a crocheted sweater. She's long waisted and has a hard time buying tops.

Ds #2 - 21 yo (well almost 21 at Christmas) a Marine, leaving right after the holidays for deployment. I'm remaking some his old favorite shirts into pillows, will make some jerky as he loves that - and some sort of board game.

DIL #2 - 20 yo. . . will be alone while ds #2 is deployed. I'll get her fast food GC, some gourmet coffee, and a hand crocheted sweater or blouse.

Mom -- vouchers for home cooked meals, and I'm sure I'll pay one or more of her bills during December/January (that's my standard gift to her)

MIL -- that's dh's job. . .he'll buy something for her in the $25 range.

Coworkers -- making each one a stocking from yarn scraps, and will make a small ornament to put in each one, with a few pieces of homemade fudge.

Neighbors, dance teacher - I purchased candy dishes from Lenox last year at the after Christmas sales. I'll make some homemade candy to go with them.

Dd's boyfriend - jeans, gas GC

preacher and his wife - voucher for homemade desserts, maybe a GC to Christian book store, rice bags

I'll make up some small gifts (dips in spoons, etc) for unexpected guests and church members.

**sunshine** · 09-01-2007, 01:47 PM

Forgot to add :

our budget is $850 for all holiday stuff. . gifts, food , entertainment

**Mom23boys** · 09-01-2007, 03:25 PM

I have started already and am almost done with everyone. Our list includes:

~DS#1 .. in the Marines, will probably pick him up some GC's and let him choose what he wants
~DS's Girlfriend...not sure yet
~DS#2 .. not sure yet
~DS#3 .. not sure yet

~Mom...done
~Step-dad...done
~Sister...done
~Sister's SO...done
~Niece#1...done
~Niece#2...done
~Niece#3...done

~Dad...done
~Step-mom...done

~MIL...done
~FIL...done

(on Dh's side)
~Niece#1...done
~Niece#2...done
~Niece#3...done
~Niece#4...done
~Niece#5...done
~Nephew...done

~DH's grandmother...still looking

~DH and I buy gifts for each other too, but I am not sure what I want to get him yet. I keep thinking about a laptop computer since he has begun to travel much more on business. He keeps wanting mine....uh NO! LOL!!

So, I think we have done fairly well so far. I really need to just purchase for my boys, DH, and his grandmother.

**Bethany** · 09-01-2007, 05:41 PM

All my son wants is a PlayStation. I've been buying little odds and ends for teachers, school bus drivers, dance teachers, neighbors, etc through out the year. Husband and I do not exchange. We do a grab with family and I'll probably buy wine for that.

**Ani** · 09-01-2007, 06:22 PM

Oooh, I like this game.

The List

The Inlaws:

1. Brother #1's family = Cashflow for Kids boardgame - purchased
2. Brother #2's family = Cashflow for Kids boardgame - purchased
3. Sister's family = set of Dave Ramsey children's books - purchased
4. Brother #3's family = not sure yet, probably a video game - to buy!
5. Mother-in-Law (FIL passed away 2 years ago) = will make a gift basket of things I've bought already, including necklace and earrings, kitchen towels, church CD, bath things etc - need to buy a few more things for the basket
6. Aunt that lives with us = not sure yet - to buy!
7. Exchange gifts (we draw names) = not sure as we don't know who we have yet - to buy!

My Family:

1. Mom & Dad = Cashflow 101 - purchased
2. Exchange gift for youngest sister = Zoundz - purchased
3. Sisters = going to knit hats
4. Grandma & Grandpa #1 = homemade, something knitted and pictures of Oliver framed or somethng
5. Grandma & Grandpa #2 = same as Grandma & Grandpa #1

Friends/Work/Extended Family:

1. Hubby's friends = matching outfits for their kids (we all have boys about the same age, we'll make onesies that say something on them that all match or something like that)
2. Work friends = various baked goods, Christmas cards
3. Extended Family/Other Friends = baked goods, cards, cookbook I'm writing, CD we're recording

Immediate Family:

1. Oliver = random odds and ends, won't spend more than $50 or so - to buy!
2. Hubby = books, video games, DVDs, won't spend more than $100 - to buy!
3. Hubby for me = not sure what he'll get me, but I'll give him a $100 limit - to buy!

I figure we'll spend about $350 - $400 on the remaining gifts, and then a bit for pictures/cards/baking/craft materials. Not a big spend Christmas as I've already bought lots along the way.

**miss_thrifty** · 09-01-2007, 09:33 PM

I have to buy for
hubby--not sure yet probably tool
oldest son-- psp put on layaway
youngest trading nintendo ds with oldest for youngest and i buy the psp and games etc for same amount of ds he paid for. youngest doesnt know the deal i have with oldest lol
inlaws: making afghan and buying gift certifcates( coffee)
hubbies grandma: ???
friends:git certifiicte for chinese food
their girls: each a small lap -ghan poinsetta one
2 nephews: mcdonald certifcates and empire theatre certificates.
we quit buying for uncles, aunts and god parents

**Mom23boys** · 09-01-2007, 09:38 PM

Forgot to add:

~Teachers...usually a homemade treat
~Co-workers...another homemade treat

**ravenmaniac** · 09-01-2007, 09:57 PM

I'll join in the fun too. I don't have a set budget per say but here is who I need to buy for:
Father in law:
Mother in law:
Brother in law:
Sister in law:
Nephew (22 years old):
Brother in law:
Sister in law:
Nephew (17 years old):
Niece (15 tears old):

Dad & Stepmom:
Sister (5 years old):
Mom:
Stepdad:
Sister:
Sister:
Brother in law:
Nephew (13 years old):
Niece (3 years old):

DH:
DD:
DS:

Bestfriend:

I have recipes for gift jars so I'll make some baskets with cookie mixes and potholders and a few other gadgets. For the guys I'll check for long underwear, socks, gloves, or some rags for the shop. I'm keeping my eyes open so I can purchase items when I see a really good deal.

**Its_Donna** · 09-02-2007, 09:59 AM

Christmas is very easy for us...I give DS and DH some cash from the XMAS Club acct. I take money from the Xmas club to buy a few things for them to unwrap like watches, slippers robes, wallets, cologne but this year DS is getting a Digital Camera and new MP3 player. DH is getting a lap-top computer.

I make HM items for co-workers; this year I am making HM Hot Cocoa Mix and putting in a Xmas Mug. I get the mugs at the Dollar Stores.

I give my mom some bath and body type stuff, costume jewelry and an outfit; top, pants and shoes.

We don't buy for any other family members and they don't buy for us. Its the way we like it. I do send out Christmas Cards; approx. 75 cards every year to family and friends.

And last but not least I get my Xmas money and I always wait for the After Xmas Sales...that weekend I will be out shopping.

**Missourimom** · 09-02-2007, 10:46 AM

Our business has taken a hard hit with the economy this year and we're feeling the pain like never before. This will be the tightest Christmas we ever had. Thank goodness we have a short list. Dh and I will not exchange gifts this year for the first time.

Dd 16: $300.00
DD6: $150.00 (her b-day is on the 21st, and that will be $100.00)
MIL: $125.00
My stepdad: A Yankee candle and hm cookies. (He doesn't like exchanging gifts and doesn't buy for anyone anymore....so, he's simple....I just don't feel right if I don't give him something though.)
FIL: A new fleece jacket I bought over the summer for when he hunts...it was a great deal at $25.00! HM cookies
Friend in Wyoming: HM cookies and hard candies sent in the mail.
Nikki's teachers: HM made apple butter and pumpkin butter.

So, about $600.00 and the cost of making cookies and stuff and postage.

**pita1213** · 09-02-2007, 11:11 AM

my list:

dd- she's sitting next to me so i can't fill in right now
ds- i have a couple of things for his stocking, but that's it. he wants some legos
so i'm keeping my eye out for sales and clearance.
dh- no idea unless season 4 of ncis comes out on dvd before christmas

mil- $50 gc to eat out, maybe some homemade cookies
fil- $50 gc to eat out, cashews from trader joes( they usually have a good price)

my mom- she wanted me to make her some dishcloths, so i have a bunch made already.
my dad- not sure, he's diabetic so i usually get him some sugar free snacks
my sister- some crocheted dishcloths, and she wants a crocheted snowman

niece- board book i got last year on clearance, and a toy or something croheted
nephew- board book on clearance, maybe a crocheted blanket

2 sils will get hm cookies, they are imposslble to shop for so i don't bother anymore, they get cookies

all grandparents and great grandparents get ornaments of the kids handprints in their christmas cards. i'd like to get our picture taken together sometime before christmas to include as well.
i think i send out about 25 cards to family and a few friends.
everything is paid for with cash or debit card. i'd like to keep it under 500 but it all depends on what we get the kids. i'll have to start a spread sheet to keep track of it all

**Neeley** · 09-02-2007, 02:12 PM

Below is our list and the amounts we spend on each person. Some people I have not deicied what we are getting for them, yet.
Immediate family
DD (age 14) - $500 - I cannot write what she is getting because she reads this forum
DS (age 12) - $500 - I cannot write what he is getting for the reason mentioned above.
Hunter (my big dog) - $20 - a couple of pillows(he chews them up and plays with them) and some pig ears
Frannie(my little dog) - $20 - a new toy, an outfit and a couple of pig ears
Dh and I do not exchange gifts because he, DD, DS and I spend 10-14 days in DisneyWorld every Christmas and that is costly enough ($3500-$4500).
My Extended family
My mom - $75 - clueless as to her gift
My dad - $75 - a shadow box, some t-shirts, socks
My step-mom - $50 - a gift to card to either a restaurant or gas card
My Granny - $40 - something from Bombay and company for her house here or something beachy for her house at the beach
My Papa - $40 - a nice bottle of wine
My Grandma Dot - $25 - a throw blanket
My Pappy - $25 - gift basket with cookies, chocolates, coffee etc..
My Aunt Ginger - $25 - a shadow box I am making with my uncle's badges from when he was a Lt. in the sherrif's department and the newspaper article written about him after he passed away a few weeks ago (not an obituary, a regular article)
My Aunt Anita - $20 - something for her new house
My Cousin Nik - $20 - clueless
My Uncle Noel - $20 - clueless
My Aunt Suzie - $20 - a bottle of wine
My cousin Harrison (age 15) - $20 - cash
My cousin William (age 11) - $20 - cash
DD's best friend - $25 - a purse or a couple fo CDs
DD's boyfriend - $25 - probably cash or movie theatre gift card
Niece #1 (age 13) - $25 - gift card to Movie Stop or cash
Niece #2 (age 11) - $25 - gift card to Game Stop or cash
Nephew (age 19) - $25 - shirt from Hollister or Abercrombie
DH's extended family
His Mom - $50 - who knows???
His Dad - $50 - I have no idea
His sister - $25 - Gift card to a restaurant
His sister's husband - $25 - something for his computer
People who work with DH
The people who work under DH - $25 each - gift card
DH's boss - $25 - gift card or a donoation in his name (he requests this sometimes) WAIT - DH just informed me no longer buy for his boss - YAY!!!

If my family has there Christmas gathering while we are in town the we have to get 2 gifts costing $40 each for Dirty Santa gift exchange. We try to avoid family gatherings though - they are not fun to me.

For the gifts, cards(approx 25 photo Christmas cards), and postage we spend a little under $2000. The good thing is it is all paid for in cash - including our trip.