Soooo, shall we share what we're doing to get started on Christmas?  Get some good ideas from each other?  The only thing I've done is get a bunch of stuff for co-workers from Gooseberry Patch (during their sales last January.)  I don't even know where to start for friends and family. Ack!   g2b

 I have two bears you can draw on for the 5 and 2 year old girls-new that a friend gave me, a little yellow blanket for the baby, and  ds has made some quadruple berry jam, 7 jars.  In addition we have some books and puzzles, preowned, given to us by friends- last year we stayed at $500, would be nice to do this year.  Anyone else have a budget they want to share?  We could count down what we buy-

All my family will be here in August, on the 17th for my sister's wedding- first time together, all eight of us, in ten years- hopefully will get a photo for my parents.  Also hope to put forward an idea for the gift exchange- we have done regional gifts, but I like this better- a box of your favorite things that you think the recipient would also enjoy!  I think this would be fun, as you find things you could add them in- I've done this in a different way, for example one year I gave everyone maple butter from the Vermont Country Store as it is delicious, one year I gave everyone an embroidered Christmas tea towel from the senior center, etc. 

Tracy 

 ps I love Gooseberry Patch, I have their country girls calender, was looking at their ones for next year!  I also have their purse calender, which is already reinforced with packing tape- not very sturdy-

Do you have any of their cookbooks?  I have given a gift certificate there as a gift.  I have also handed that catalog, along with Chinaberry, Current, and Vermont Country Store in a folder to the kids' teachers and told them to pick out a $15 gift for themselves- they do like to have this rather than a mug or ornament.

I also have about 10 s'more mugs I was given- thought I would fill with cocoa bags, tea bags, instant apple cider, and a candy cane for gifts- 

 Okay, we do the in~laws(2), hubby's two elderly aunts(2), my dear friend(1), his secretaries(2), his staff(6), and some unexpected odds and ends.  All gifts will come out of our kitchen.  We will try to keep it under $150(including postage).  : )

We also do Christmas cards and I have a stash of over 200, although we send out under 20 each year, so the cost of 20 stamps also. 

Tracy, I love your idea of giving favorite things--that is something that would be great fun for both giver and receiver!  My siblings no longer exchange gifts, but when we did, I often would do a homemade thing (the same item) for each of them.  Such as a set of embroidered dishtowels and a dishcloth that I'd crocheted around the edge; one year, a really pretty set of Libby glass mugs with Christmas etchings on them (these were found at a dollar store) along with a supply of homemade cappuccino mix; another year, Libby made a pretty glass candy dish with a tupperare-like lid.  I bought one of those for each of them and filled each with homemade cream cheese cracker spread, and then on the top of each container I tied one of those fancy cheese spreaders (you can usually get a set of four spreaders that are holiday themed) on the top.  

I also think it's great to set a limit because you can avoid that whole "one more thing" trap, when you really have nice gifts for everyone and can honestly say that you're done with your shopping.  Sounds like you have a great start!

Re Gooseberry:  I have given their cookbooks as gifts many times, but have avoided buying any for myself because I have enough cookbooks for 100 people and have been giving some away to friends.

I do, however, own many of their larger, flatter "annual" type books which contain recipes and craft ideas.  I love them and every year go over the same books feeling like they are all new ideas, because they are chock full of things! 

I have considered the gift certificate idea with Gooseberry because I have one friend who loves to handcraft, and I think she would have fun looking and picking something out of Gooseberry, as well as getting ideas from the catalog for her own crafting.

What a thoughtful idea for yor kids' teachers.  I can vouch for that--I work in a school.  While all sentiments are appreciated, a fresh new idea is always nice!  I used to get Chinaberry when my kids were little and I just loved it so much! 

That is an amazing budget and since I know you, I'm sure your kitchen gifts are always Heavenly!

Every year I think that I will cut down on the Christmas cards and then I cave at the last hour and send out so many.  I do believe that this year I will stick to my plan and send only to those most far away whom I never get to see.  As retired military, we have friends all over the world (you know how that goes), but it would be so much better to stretch that communication out over the whole year by writing them throughout the year, instead of this burst of communication at Christmas-time.

In our family except for me (mine's tues) , all the birthdays start in Sept and don't end until Feb! plus Xmas, kid's friends birthday parties, our anniversary, valentines etc. So I try to stock up all year round so it doesn't hit the pocket book so bad.  My husband loves two pocket shirts  and usually won't wear anything else. So 5 years ago just before my daughter was born, I stocked up on the shirts he loves from a wholesaler (was in the promotional products industry) but now I am running low :)   Recently I picked up some like new kids books, fine woodworking mags from the 70/80's for hubby (collects them) , some books from a chapters blow out sale. Since my father in law is over his throat cancer, I will probably make him the spicey nuts he loves.  My mother in law loves movies so when walmart had a dvd sale recently 2/$10  I stocked up on them.  Because we all have most of what we need and are all on a budget, we do a lot of gift cards for dinners etc. My mother in  law gave me $30 for the new harry potter book! So you know what I will be doing today!

Need vs Want

www.buynothingchristmas.org

How about a one time lump sum gift of cash to a worthy organization like smile train or the heifer project?

Attach the pr info with what the organizaion does to a little plate of homemade goodies and that is the gift: giving to those who actually NEED.

gram2bri:

That is an amazing budget and since I know you, I'm sure your kitchen gifts are always Heavenly!

Every year I think that I will cut down on the Christmas cards and then I cave at the last hour and send out so many.  I do believe that this year I will stick to my plan and send only to those most far away whom I never get to see.  As retired military, we have friends all over the world (you know how that goes), but it would be so much better to stretch that communication out over the whole year by writing them throughout the year, instead of this burst of communication at Christmas-time.

 

How to cure yourself of card giving:  How much does it cost you for cards and postage?  $20?  more?   Take the paper money, fold it up, tear it up, and throw it in the trash bin.  That is what happens in short time to almost every card you send out.  How many cards have you kept from year to year?

Try sending a Valentines Day love letter to family and friends produced on inexpensive document paper instead or like you said, send several nice letters thru the year.