I hate to admit it but we don't do a lot of pre-planning or early buying for Christmas.

Last year (2008) we did make make an agreement with DH's side of the family (adults only) that in lieu of gifts for them we would donate gifts to our local Angel Tree in their name. There are 7 adults on his side of the family so we were able to donate 7 gifts to children in need. We matched each adult's name with a child's name from the tree. We then used some fonts that resembled children's printing and made up letters that we imagined the children would write to thank each adult for their gifts. I found it was easier to buy those gifts for the children than to run around trying to find something for an adult who doesn't seem to want or need anything.

I'm hoping this year will be the same plan. Our nieces who are 7 and 8 asked why their parents didn't get a gift from us. My brother-in-law showed them the letters and explained the Angel Tree to them. They immediately asked if they could donate a gift this year too. They're so sweet!

I wanted to do the same thing with my side of the family but I knew my mom would still want to buy gifts for us so instead we each drew a name and then bought one larger gift for that person. It made things a little less hectic before Christmas and Christmas Day was less about opening presents and more about spending our time with our families. Of course, my mom cheated and still bought gifts for everyone. It's how she shows her love so I didn't say anything.

I HAVE started, and now have all the gift wrap, bags & bows I should need for birthdays & Christmas for 2009, bought at deep post-holiday discounts. 

My two oldest grandchildren & one DD have expressed a desire to collect nativities "like Grandma", so I have been looking for those the same way I collected mine, from thrift stores & garage sales. I found one of the frosted glass sets that sit on the little mirror, but am not sure to whom it will go just yet. 

I have set aside a couple of hundred dollars from a paycheck with overtime to sit in the thrift account & earn interest while I find the right gift for each person. Not exactly a Christmas savings account, but the same idea. I buy for DH, DD + husband + 4 grandchildren, DS + wife, and 2 single DDs.  The DDs are good about giving me a wish list before October, but DH & DS usually wait until Thanksgiving, which makes the shopping more stressful. 11 people can get expensive unless I buy carefully. 

I just found some cotton flannel sheets at the thrift store, in perfect shape, with white cotton background & dark green snowflakes. The flat sheet has a border with Santa in a sleigh, but if trim that off & open the corners of the fitted sheet, then piece the two, I have a very nice backing for a jeans quilt.  I am not sure for whom it will be made, but that is still in the planning stage. If I make one for either DD, I iwll need both sheets to piece for the backing.  If I decide to make twin sized quilts for grandchildren, it might be possible to get backing for 2 out of the sheets, since all four of the grandchildren are in bunk beds, which need slightly more narrow quilts, & I may go that route. 

the only thing I have gotten so far at after xmas sales was pet toys and the stockings full of cat toys and catnip for mine and grandmas cats.    Since we had such heavy snow for us before and after xmas that the retailers had a big hit in lack of sales so after sales weren't that good.

I think I have some slippers from sales for xmas or birthdays.   I have some duplicate craft sets plus toys I bought for kids parties that we didn't go to so I am set for gifts to donate.

the only thing I have gotten cheap lately is the my little pet shop stuffies that have computer codes. 2 at $7 each and then 4 at $5 each. great for little girls parties coming up!

since we were just at value village (waiting for my muffler to be replaced)   I found a my little pet shop pen racing set for 3.99 brand new. but dd saw it for her so they are playing with it.  would have made a great gift lol.

So far I have made the little stitchery and sewing projects planned for my husband. He will receive a fleece pillowcase for a chair pillow and a fleece earwarmer. Plus I created three dust covers for electronic remote controls from plastic canvas. Each is stuffed with a pair of winter weight socks. I am in the process of making fabric gift bags for each item now. In addition I have begun collecting little stocking stuffer items. Later I will again make preserves as gifts for my three guys. The preserves were a big hit this past Christmas so well worth repeating.

Charlotte:

The preserves were a big hit this past Christmas so well worth repeating.

 

I completely forgot about the salsa jars that I am saving to hold the dehydrated parsley & dehydrated rosemary that I give to neighbors & friends at Christmas. I have been diligently washing them out & removing the labels, so I don't have to give away my canning jars.  As the winter clothes are in final clearance, I have been watching for items of clothing like turtlenecks & sweaters that the grandkids wear as layers in winter. 

juju_mommy:

I enjoy baking and things like that (though I'm not good at anything fancy)

 

to most people homemade is fancy!!! Don't talk your self down like that! A home made gift is worth 100x more than fancy gift you threw money at!!!.

 I xmas/bday shop all year long for supplies and gifts also. The supplies are for the homemade gifts I will be giving. Baked goods and foods, homemade beauty products, craft boxes, etc. Half my list is done so far.

cyn

 I just had an absolutely frugal inspiration & this is the place to share it!  I have been trying to de-clutter ( I know, an ongoing task) & was about to get rid of several years worth of old Taste of Home magazines.  I didn't get around to it for a couple of days, then I realized I could go through those magazines & cut out any recipes that are gluten-free, and make a one-of-a-kind gluten-free cookbook for DD for Christmas!!  She is on the celiac diet & so is one of her children.  I know they get discouraged with everything that they cannot eat, & just going through 3 of the magazines, I found some recipes with pictures that look really appetizing and delicious.  I have a binder I can use; so all I need are some plastic pages & backing paper! :D

Fun present!  Would be fun to dig out a old photo of her in the kitchen and use clear contact paper or a report cover to use it for the cover, or scrapbook it. Her kids would find it funny.  I bet you can print a lot of delicous recipes from the web, also. 

I am hoping to buy church cookbooks, in progress this year, for my mom and maybe a few more people for Christmas.   

You are so wise to be saving ahead for Christmas.  I have now realized the benefit of having saved those classic toys you are seeking.  I have my first grandchild, a boy, whereas I had two girls.  No problem.  Those classic toys cover both genders.  What I find working well so far have been the wooden puzzles, any books, Lincoln Logs, any wooden blocks, small cars and trucks, My Little Ponies, a baby doll, and weeble-wobbles.  Yet to be tapped in several Rubbermaid containers in the basement are many Lego sets, Breyer horses and card games.  I haven't regretted saving; but I did keep it to 6 containers total.  Since I am 62 and laidoff those things in the basement have been a blessing.  Oh yes, and the girls love to get out the old records(!) and tapes(!) and play all their old favorites with my grandson as an excuse.  Me too.  Ever hear of Mousercize?  Well that was on a record almost 30 years ago, and it is still giving us a fun workout for all generations.

stsrting to save for a christmas account at least a couple of hundred dollars that should solve my problem and get gift cards again if they don't like it then they get this :)-