timzagain:

We're definitely cutting back both the quantity and the amount spent!  However, I have found that my year-round shopping has really paid off this year.  Thanks to some generous price reductions, I've been able to buy better gifts than last year, while spending the same or less than last year! 

Me, too!  The down economy has produced some really good sales, & even better thrift buys. 

I talked to oldest DD about the denim quilts I was planning to make for the grandsons. She said she would actually prefer them done as the ragg quilt types, without any batting in the middle, just the denim square & flannel square wrong sides together, right sides out, and double stitched with the seam up to fray. She said they are just as warm & wear better witht he boys.  Totally can do.  Less work, & this way I don't have to buy any batting.  I just received 4 more pair of denim jeans from a local freecycle group, so now I think I have enough jeans to make the top parts for both quilts.  I bought flannel sheets for the backing (at a local thrift store for a great price, & they look barely used- colors still bright, etc.)  The jeans will be pieced in 3 shades of blue on top, & the flannel is cream colored with dark green snowflakes.  They should be simple & fast to make & DD is excited, since the boys need some new quilts - the ones they are using now have seen better days.

I have one of the scrapbook gluten free cookbooks done, for granddaughter, & have started on the one for her mother. When the cookbook is done, oldest DD is completed for Christmas, birthday in January, & anniversary in December.

I have some jars of dried parsley & dill for neighbor gifts.

Trying to think of something for DH.

My Dh's list is bigger than the kids. I just want some new shoes and to get things for the house since we are remodeling. The kids so far only want legos. His list is like a 10 year old and really frustrates me sometimes. I feel like it is going against all uor goals. sorry to vent, but if i get his list it will break me. Any ideas on how to handle this?

 Lynn,

I would give him a dollar amount.  That is silly, that he wants so much.  You guys don't have much money. Also, I would ask him if he wants an experience more than things, a fancy date or a concert, or something that wouldn't normally be in the budget.  Get him thinking outside of his boy toys. Otherwise, I might just get him a mall gift card and let him pick what he wants the most with the after Christmas sales, but I can say that as we are about 4 miles from Mall of America, that has every thing your heart could desire under one roof.  

I agreed or tell him to pick the top 3 things in a reasonable price range. ...sometimes you have to apply the same kids rules to adults  

recently, I picked up a couple of pokemon fiqures on sale, a couple of barbie style outfits from the dollar for dd stocking since ds has stuff already. betty crocker scented candles lemon merigue and sugar cookies for mil plus me from the dollar store. have candy for dd and student etc already. 

think I have enough stuff for the kids. picked up a my little pet shop toy on sale for $20 earlier, last time we were in walmart my mom saw them for $40 reg price and gasped at the price. told her that is why I bought it on sale.

still have about $500 - $600 out by next feb not counting eating out for birthdays.  lots of birthdays too!   the parents are hard to shop for. have some ideas but need more. 

don't think my sil is getting dd a chirp mag subscription this year for her birthday. webkins instead.  rather the mags but can't say much her money.  so I think I will get them for the kids chirp and chickadee mags. one for each of them.

still a sore point that I always get house stuff for presents....kids pool for my birthday....so told dh because we need a new bbq that he can buy one for his birthday in oct. from the sales.  not like there is much to get him anyways!  not much he wants and has enough clothes.  don't know what to do for xmas for him!  unless a new type of flashlight comes out lol.   birthday is easy. money for the big woodworking show that is always around his birthday.

our student and parents will be hard to shop for so I see gift cards in the future!

I may just do that Tracy. I want to support him, but he restores BMX bicycles and some of the things are so expensive. I don't want to hurt his feelings, but this is one department he is really selfish. I want shoes, maybe some undies and bath stuff for the year. The rest I want towards things we both want for the house. Its things like this that makeme want to do away with the gifts altogether, but maybe I have reached a maturity level that he hasn't. It will all work out,i just gotta remember not to choke my 37yo kid!

Love hearing what everyone is working on. I was hoping to do more year round shopping & crafts this year, but it hasn't worked out. I'd love to figure out why I'm not have much luck. Any thoughts? Do you set aside time each month to gift shop & how do you stay focused in the stores? I have just a few gifts tucked away, but need to get more done so I have time for other things. My budget is planned out & I've done well putting some money away. So, I think I'm ready to shop. I have some gift suggestions, but need more. This is probable the problem, not knowing what to buy.

I'm planning some special cooking/baking at the holidays. I haven't done this before since my time is spent on gift shopping & decorating. However, I really want to do more cookies & such. We always get together with our families at our parents' homes & most of the meal is taken care of (bring an item if you like or they let us know what is needed). I need to wrap a little along to avoid spending hours trying to get it done at the last minute. My decorations aren't organized due to limited storage & this creates issues since I decorate in steps (not enough time to do it all at once). Really need to thin these out, so I can get what I use organized. Looks like I need to get busy!    

I finished the dolls for girls ..

the boys gifts for are great I found a pattern for superhero teddy bears they are so great ...

My DH wanted a boat .. I found one at an estate sale and I brought it .. he used it for the summer and  he is in love with it ..so his Christmas will be something a big smaller more personal .. 

gayla50:

My DH wanted a boat .. I found one at an estate sale and I brought it .. he used it for the summer and  he is in love with it .

and in love with you for finding his treasured toy!   Great find.

Dd's grandma and friends gave her some gift cards and cash for her birthday, so off to the mall we went, on Sunday. I took all the kids, and have started getting some ideas for things they might want. 7 yo dd wears a angle neclace, a gift from another stretcher, every day.  She would like another necklace. Ds has some ideas, at 15 he knows some things he wants.  His birthdya is in two days, I have bought him candy so far, not a present yet. I am going to buy the two girls at charter school uniform headbands, maybe for their stockings. Dd age 13 has expressed interest in a calender.  

BTW, 13 yo dd bought herself a shirt and a fall jacket, she was happy to find some clothes she really likes, at Airie.  I tried on three of their perfumes.  If anyone has teen girls to buy for, it is a nice store, an offshoot of American Eagle. I had bought dd a necklace there for her birthday.  

I normally begin buying around now for my girls from thrift stores, yard sales, sales at department stores. However, we will be moving at the end of next month and then staying with relatives until early Dec!! I don't know whether to go ahead and begin buying now or wait till we get back to the mainland where everything will be cheaper anyway. I want to sew some things also, especially for my 3 year old and I would like to make her some felt food like I saw at one store (but it was so overpriced and I've seen tutorials online). All of the kids will definitely need some warm clothes, thick tights, sweatsuits, etc. I am sure I can find some here in the thrift stores for cheap since they are rarely needed here in HI. My oldest and I have agreed that this year for Christmas we will re-do her bedding and accessories (pillows, curtains, lamps,etc.). I am very crafty and can sew so I think Iwill just take her to the fabric store and let her pick out a fabric on sale and use that for the bedding, curtains and pillows. Then the lamp can be picked up from the thrift store and painted.