What do you plan to do differently for Christmas 2008?

**many houseapes** · 12-24-2007, 05:42 PM

Just thought that I would ask.....how many of us are planning on doing some things differently to save time & money for next Christmas?
O have a few areas thet I will be doning something different-

This year dd #1 talked me into buying a gingerbread house & a gingerbread tree kit. Okay - I relented & I know that the kids will have a blast this evening puting them together later tonight. Next year I plan on baking gingerbread boys instead(Like I usually do)
I am also going to find a better hiding place for the gifts that I accumulate throughout the year so I don't have to buy wrapping paper to cover everything from little snoopers -also that will save me alot of time to go back to the Christmas bags again.

**bumplett** · 12-24-2007, 05:46 PM

I think I'll buy less - not that I bought all that much this year, but I think I could have done a bit better.....

**bevjean** · 12-24-2007, 06:16 PM

I think we'll actually celebrate Christmas. This year the holidays were pretty much put on hold. We spend most of the season trying to buy a house and didn't want to decorate if we were gonna have to take it all down. We finally closed on the house and have been spending every spare minute cleaning & painting (they left it a mess) so we can move in. We should finish everything and actually be in the house by the 1st. I bought and wrapped the boys presents, but haven't baked or anything else. The boys are really understanding, but it still kinda sucks for them. Since we didn't put up our tree, my oldest bought me a rosemary bush shaped like a christmas tree.

**Michelle68** · 12-24-2007, 06:19 PM

I plan on asking for Christmas off in March to try and get it before my co-worker who, for the past two years, has asked for it off before I did. It will be nice, for a change, to not have to work that day.

But seriously, the only thing I think I might do differently is to also try to spend less than we did this year. Maybe shop throughout the year for gifts, as so many people here on FV are really good at doing.

--Michelle

**Nantahala** · 12-24-2007, 07:40 PM

I'll have a budget and include more people in my list..

**Buckeye5** · 12-24-2007, 07:46 PM

I will be done with everything, the shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking (all that I can be) and cleaning of the house before December 24th, and although I spent less and paid cash for everything, I will be spending less next year and finding other more creative ways of my gift giving.

**Missourimom** · 12-24-2007, 08:06 PM

Wrap earlier.
Only bake cookies for my dh and stepdad.
Cook ahead.

**AmyBoz** · 12-24-2007, 08:26 PM

I'll probably try to spend less and pay cash for everything. I'll also try to pick up things throughout the year.

**carlitasway** · 12-24-2007, 08:33 PM

Homemade gifts except for the kids.

**Mom23boys** · 12-24-2007, 08:45 PM

We will be buying less and spending less as well! Pay cash for everything!!!!

**Kitten20** · 12-24-2007, 09:14 PM

Buy throughout the year with cash and budget for Christmas $$ (once debt is paid off or down significantly) throughout the year.

**kcsmom76** · 12-24-2007, 10:20 PM

Spend less and buy less with cash only.

**mom2matty** · 12-24-2007, 10:23 PM

The biggest difference for next year is that I won't have as much chaos in the house! We are in the middle of a remodel and the house seems to always be in a mess! I have tried really hard to stick with traditions but it has been so stressful this year! I did stick to our budget and used cash this year........next year will be the same and like many of you I hope to cut back a bit on what we spend!!!

**Darlene** · 12-24-2007, 10:26 PM

I'd like to start crafting more throughout the year, planning projects with certain people in mind and think of them as I do them.

**Early Bird** · 12-24-2007, 10:43 PM

assembly
line!

That worked out well with the knitted hats I made for the kids' friends...same yarn, same pattern, same size needles.

Next year, I will decide on ONE treat, and if I can make it ahead of time, I will: Today I made Recipezaar's Oreo Truffles (recipe ##52035). I also dipped chocolate pretzels and made lunch. Then I had a problem: the truffles looked skimpy in the packaging I had planned. I ended up just wrapping them in colored celophane.

It was too much for one day...especially when you add in delivering treats, putting out luminarias, and evening Mass.

So, next year, I'll do a mock-up complete with packaging. And maybe even find a freezable treat for the neighbors.

Another thing that worked out well was ordering fundraiser candies for teachers' gifts.