[mauimagic]

I just ordered 2 cones (16oz each) of multicolored Christmas cotton yarn for my scrubbies nad dischclothes for next Christmas. Could not find any around here and I really want to get started!!

The ones I am working on now, I will use for Easter gifts - just need to figure out what I am going to use for HM baskets!!

 

[scooby8themall]

I also started my Christmas club back in Oct. I've managed to sock away 75.00 I would like to join this challenge I'd like to beat what I did this year.I bought for 47 people and spent 275.00 I had to buy a few last min things for DH or it would of been 250.00.
This thread will be an inspiration for me.

 

[AmyBoz]

I usually do fine for Christmas. I pick up gifts year-round and hide them away. The kids are always thrilled.

This year, however, where my Christmas finances fell apart was between dh and I.

Christmas was almost here and I only had a few things for him and he had nothing for me. Despite the fact that I always tell him differently, he always feels the need to spend a lot on me. Don't get me wrong...I love what he gets, but I don't love the bill afterward, as I planned so far and so hard for everything else.

This year he got me a Flip video camera, which I love and will definitely use. However, yikes when the Amex bill comes in January. I bought him a drill, because his old one finally died. Again, needed, but expensive.

So, I need to make sure I have some solid cash put away for this type of buying. I'm totally in.

 

[madhen]

I set up a separate savings account in my ING acct for Christmas, so it will be a bit more challenging than a Christmas Club acct, because I have access to it. But it also allows me to pull from it if I find a present in June that I want to use for Christmas.

 

[madhen]

AmyBoz, I feel your pain. I bought my BIL a hammer-drill, because my sister said he REALLY wanted one but couldn't afford it. Spent more than I intended on him, as I had already picked him up a $25 Lowe's card, but they had a rough year, and they have a couple of rentals, and he does all the handyman work on them and on their home, so I figured it was something he needed more than something he wanted, and it was worth it.

 

[missyali]

I'm collecting cute coffee mugs this year to do mug desserts for my coworkers for Christmas 2010. I need to do 30-32.

.

Make friends with a teacher! I have about 6 mugs sitting in my basement ready to go to the donation box. We get so many mugs each year! I'm sure you can get some donated to you!

 

[missyali]

Count me in! I plan to set up a Christmas account at the credit union when I go back to work in January. My friend and I are going shopping tomorrow to pick up reduced Christmas stuff that I give to co-workers; picture frames, candles and what-not. I should start a little notebook to keep in my purse to write down things I pick up for people throughout the year. I really like the idea of stocking stuffers throughout the year. Off I go to think of a good storage system for my preparedness!

 

[Libby]

I'm so in...goal of $500 next year if I can - this should include all wrapping, shipping if necessary, xmas cards & postage, gas $ for travels AND baking ingredients. I plan to do something homemade next year - treat and small gift. Plus I think our family agreed to the White Elephant type of gift exchange for next year - easier on all of our budgets.

I don't really exchange gifts with anyone, but you are all an inspiration for planning ahead in general.

This doesn't mean I don't spend a good bit at Christmas. I can be very generous to myself LOL! I should take a negative approach -- just stay off Amazon.com next November and December. I should go write that in my calendar.

Who says you can't be your own secret Santa? You'd be the BESTEST gift giver of all!

I like it. I'm thinking it would be cool to start with something like a silver dollar, so there would be a prize in the middle.

That's a great idea!! or maybe a wadded up bill!! I like your creativity!!

Just hope the recipient is aware that there is a prize in the middle or else they may just toss it out figuring they may not need that many rubber bands! Only us frugalites would shove it into a drawer 'just in case' lol.

 

[madhen]

Yes, I was thinking you'd want to attach a note or something giving them a clue. Maybe I'll have to come up with a rubber band ball Christmas poem.

 

[VanVivCam]

I was just talking with hubby during our last business meeting that I would like to start a Christmas item in our budget. I am taking out $15 each week. That way, I will have cash available when i see gifts on sale and will be able to only spend CASH. This year, I used my debit card A LOT. Although, this is the second year that I have not charged ONE thing and we will have no financial hardships from all my shopping! Pretty successful!

 

[Suzanne Sky]

I spent about $180 on presents this year, for my husband, 5 grown kids, 4 "kids-in-law"/significant other, and 5 grandchildren.

This year, I am really going to try to make quilts for everyone who hasn't already gotten one. Wish me luck! And I am going to try to only use fabric I already have. This will be a stash-buster! I have so much fabric that it is ridiculous.

Some of you were talking about giving stockings and stocking stuffers. I did this one year, and it was a big hit with everyone. They were so much fun to buy for and assemble, too. If I get those quilts done for this coming year, I think I will do stockings again the year after.

 

[mauimagic]

Good idea with the quilts for Christmas Suzanne - several people have mentioned the same. I always am challenged to think of presents for one inlaw couple and perhaps I'll do the same for them this coming year. Any particular patterns that you are thinking of?

 

[tervsforme]

I'm definitely in on this. My busy season at work is October through January, I waited to long this year and was sewing on buttons at 10:30p.m. on Christmas eve. I want to be done by Novembber 1st!! I am going to make quite a few of my gifts, Christmas 2010 will be tote bags out of denim. I have lots of denim fabric and home deco fabric that would make great totes. I also bought a bunch of kitchen towels on clearance and I'm going to start to embroider them with Christmas designs now and put them away for next year.

 

[mauimagic]

I want to make more towels for next year too. Shall be making Christmas totes for all the presents too.

 

[McD]

I am in! My 2010 Christmas Club started pulling funds in October, so we will have 1200$ in cash for Christmas next October. I would like to make more gifts as well this year--especially knitted ones.

 

[Suzanne Sky]

Good idea with the quilts for Christmas Suzanne - several people have mentioned the same. I always am challenged to think of presents for one inlaw couple and perhaps I'll do the same for them this coming year. Any particular patterns that you are thinking of?

I'm not really sure about quilt block patterns yet. At first, I just planned to make plain squares. Then I remembered that I have quite a few quilt blocks in various patterns put away in my rubbermaid boxes with my fabrics. So maybe I should continue with each of those patterns.... or mix and match with plain squares thrown in. I've been thinking a lot about Gee's Bend style quilts too. So...still thinking about it.

 

[mauimagic]

I just googled Gee's Bend style quilts - very interesting. Let us know what you decide to do!!

 

[EmilyD]

I am in on this!

I have been thinking about Christmas and the fact that every year, we (dh and I), buy our own gifts and there is never anything under the tree.

I have decided I am going to buy gifts throughout the year, wrap them, put a name on them and then hide them from myself LOL

After a year, at least part of them should be a surprise Christmas 2010.

Hee's hoping it works!

 

[mauimagic]

DH and I did not exchange gifts this year. And, as we did not go to the family holiday on Kauai, we did not open any presents today. And we did indeed enjoy a very happy Christmas. We shall probably forego presents for each other next year, but we will be going to Kauai.

 

[piney]

Yes i want to join this challenge i want to be buying gift each month and hoping to be able to make some things and have done started a change jar for christmas gifts.Hoping to have it all done before Thanksgiving 2010.