Titus 2 Homemakers
The Craft Room => Christmas Club => : Cathie September 07, 2013, 09:00:51 AM
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108 days :o
I'm helping right?? ;)
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NO!!! You're not helping my stress levels. ;)
I just really don't have any ideas about Christmas this year. None of us need a thing. Last year the ideas were plentiful...this year I can't think of a thing. :-\
I do have a few things bought but I can't think of the "big" gift for Aaron and Caylon. Last year we got Aaron a heated mattress pad which he loved and we got Caylon a really pretty comforter set which she loves.
I'm just really at a loss this year.....
Beth
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For the first time ever, I am considering not making anything for the kids or grandkids. Just not feeling it this year. I think they will get gifts bought online. At the moment, I have no ideas at all. Hopefully I will get some ideas as the time gets closer. ::)
Blessings,
Winona
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Beth ~ hahahahha ;)
Winona ~ really I am surprised to hear you say that - I love seeing your homemade gifts but totally get what you are saying. :-*
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108 days is way too soon for me! I am never ready. :D Emily seems to want to watch all the commercials for toys before making her list!
Several years ago we eliminated a lot of stress from our lives by only buying for our kids. For the 9 -year -old, we buy 3 gifts, with one of those being a "big" or somewhat big gift. We give our oldest and her husband money or a gift card for something I know they really want. We started out buying gifts for the grandbabies but have decided to just give them money for their piggy banks. My daughter has a small home and has nowhere to put a lot of toys anyway.
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I have actually already bought some gifts! Lol... When I see things on sale, I grab it....
But I am also looking at making a few things this also.... Time to start thinking about all of this....
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We're planning to skip Christmas this year. At least the gift giving part. We anticipate moving at the beginning of January, the last thing we need is something else to pack up! I'll be letting my family know, so they don't feel obligated to send gifts to us. I'm not sure how Chris' family is going to take it.
Christmas turned out very poorly last year, so we need to make changes anyhow.
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Leah,
I completely understand wanting to skip the gift giving part of Christmas.
Honestly I can't think of a thing I need and my kids can't think of anything they need. My grandkids are over-run with toys and clothes, we have 3 bicycles in the driveway, sandboxes, battery operated Jeeps and cars.....ENOUGH!!!
Lainey's birthday is in October, Holden's is in January and then Christmas is right in the midst of it, it just gets to be completely overwhelming.
To be honest....I just dread it.
Beth
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Beth, my grandson's birthday is September 25, my granddaughter's birthday is December 21, then comes Christmas just days later, so I feel like you do.
The perfect gift for me would be for everyone to get together, share a meal, and just spend time together. :)
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YES!! Cheryl.
I wouldn't mind going back to the days of a big family meal and then oranges and peppermint sticks for the kids. Wouldn't that be wonderful? I guess we could do something along those lines in our family...there's no rules saying we can't but the peer pressure and social pressures make it almost impossible. :-\
Beth
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YES!! Cheryl.
I wouldn't mind going back to the days of a big family meal and then oranges and peppermint sticks for the kids. Wouldn't that be wonderful? I guess we could do something along those lines in our family...there's no rules saying we can't but the peer pressure and social pressures make it almost impossible. :-\
Beth
make your own rules ;)
we do Christmas dinner of Fettuccine Alfredo - no pressure dinner, easy for me and my family loves it - not traditional but it is for us now
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http://lifestyle.allwomenstalk.com/non-traditional-and-fun-ways-to-celebrate-christmas-this-year/7/
this might be a fun way to do it
- $5 homemade gift certificate to sonic
- ugliest thing I could find a the thrift store
I don't know this could be fun
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I am seriously thinking of doing away with the stockings
I spend a lot of money on that
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or perhaps have all the adults names in a hat a pick one name and put a limit on that
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I did away with the stockings a few years ago, Cathie. No point in doing it for our grown children, and their parents do it for the grandkids. So I decided enough is enough. LOL I do make up a goodie bag for each of the grands with cookies, candy, hot cocoa, gum, etc. Worked good last year. I bought lunch size red/white striped sacks. They turned out quite cute.
We did the draw names out of a hat for several years, but have even discontinued that. It is hard to buy a gift for someone you are not around a lot. So no more gift exchange at moms.
Blessings,
Winona
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so at a 104 days till Christmas I do have some things done - so progress
1) - stockings are done ;) I have mixed feelings about this - I love the theory but the expense is not needed - we have 5 people to have stuff for and unfortunately rather LARGE stocking that I completely stuff - I'm guess I spend $200 or more on these - so this will be a HUGE savings
2) simplifying the decorations - I'm actually donating them as I go through them
3) some shopping done ;D
still to do:
1) make detailed list of who I'm buying for
2) make a detailed but simplified Christmas to-do-list
3) make detailed baking list
4) detailed Christmas list to make list
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We have been paring down Christmas for a few years now. When the kids were younger it just seemed to get worse and worse! Sean and I looked at each other one Christmas morning and said this is crazy! No more!
Last year we decided to do a family trip, it was wonderful :D. The kids loved it!
We are not to sure about this year. We have thrown around the idea of another trip again but I think it will be too expensive.. We have also discussed a family present. We have an old boat that my uncle gave us. It needs lots of work but it would be a great weekend day trip activity for the summer. We live so close to the water it would be great to be on it! Sean is going to look into how much it would cost to get the boat sea worthy and buy a motor. We might do that as a Christmas present for the family instead of individual gifts.
I would still do stockings though. They are my favourite part :)
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I have done well getting presents for the family this year...here goes!
I bought my 2 daughters each a Coach purse, I wait for the huge sale online and saved huge! Sil Warren wants a old school turntable, I found a Crosley cd recordable system, it's vintage looking with a 3 spead LP player & cassette that burns to a cd, am-fm radio. It's in a wooden cabinet just really cool! It was normally $249 on sale for $99! Sil Marcus i'm still working on him but plan on Under Armor clothing...The grandchildren we give money for their college funds and 1 toy. So i'm about done with the large stuff.
We are flying the week before Christmas to spend it with our oldest daughter Megan, Warren, Mont & Ada. They aren't traveling anymore at Christmas time, the past 12 years they have switched going to each others families. It's our turn now to travel to them!
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My girls are getting one big gift together and a few smaller gifts. I found a dollhouse at a consignment sale with all wooden furniture and dolls. A friend of mine has a husband who is willing to repaint it for me before Christmas and I have been watching Craigslist for a few other things I want to get them. I know they will both get a new set of pajamas, a few books, and hopefully a doll crib for their baby dolls. I am also hoping to find some cheap doll clothes since I have never sewn, not do I have the time this year!
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I've been making progress all along, but really lucked out last weekend. Our church / school had a 90th birthday party. They were selling $5 tickets for several different prize baskets. I bought a ticket and put it in the toy basket (at least $100 worth of toys) and I won! There are Lego sets, art supplies, craft items, and a robot kit - which ds has been telling us he wants! I've put it all away in the "gift closet" and will use for Christmas gifts! I still can't believe I won it all with only one ticket!
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When we took Corey back to school, we stopped in at the bookstore in town. It is an old fashioned private book store that also sells gifts, kids toys (the old fashioned use your imagination ones), candy, etc. We bought a book and a toy for Doug's two nieces and a puzzle for his mom. We always buy his nieces an outfit, too but to me that is the easier part of the shopping.
Denise
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I have started doing ALL of my Christmas shopping online as of about 2 years ago. I used to like shopping but now I really just don't like the Christmas time crowds. And have you noticed how rude people are getting. My hubby just about got runover in a shopping center parking lot the other day and instead of apologizing, the guy just shouted profanity at him. Another time recently while in the checkout lane in a store a guy pushed hubby's cart out of the way and told him he needed to move or get out of line. I don't miss that kind of stuff. Online shopping I will go.
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I am thinking for the kids to get something from their wedding registry that they did not get. Ds got married June 1 and dd is getting married on November 2. Most of the extended family I have already gotten things for. Need to get something for my sister's boys and my bff's son. Also my dh, though we are talking about getting ourselves bikes this year.
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I have found some really good clearance sales at walmart where everything was 50-75% off the clearance sticker!
4 kids-Done ;D
Hubby- cash for cabelas or bass pro
Mom- New with tags sweater from garage sale $5
Dad- Will pick up pearl snap shirt they got some at walmart for less that 20
Brother-Will buy coffee mug and fill with goodies
SiL- Will buy coffee mug and fill with goodies
MiL- Not sure has to be mailable and don't want to pay a lot for shipping
Stockings -not done yet budget of $40
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I have a couple of things picked up already but wow did the time fly by!!!! Guess I better get in gear and decide what I'm going to do.
Laurie
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I have a few things bought so far. I picked up one of these rainbow looms for Alyssa. She loves crafts :).
And I picked p a few book for Evan. Not sure about the others yet. We are getting a new roof next month. I expect that will be Sean and my gift for each other ::)
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We are getting a new roof next month. I expect that will be Sean and my gift for each other ::)
That's the way it goes at our house too. :P
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I got a Facebook message that CBS store has a 20% off promo code this week so I ordered Caylon a "Soft kitty" tee-shirt from the Big Bang.
Beth
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82 days :o :o :o :o :o :o :o
WOW when did we hit under 100 :o :o :o :o
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I got a Facebook message that CBS store has a 20% off promo code this week so I ordered Caylon a "Soft kitty" tee-shirt from the Big Bang.
Beth
cool - she will love that!!!!! :-*
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We will buy something to assist in a closer walk with the Lord such as devotional materials, Patch the Pirate CDs, etc. Then perhaps small restaurant gift cards. Lastly, just something small they each would enjoy at about $30 per person. I think I will do stockings this year. I need to start "stocking" for that. 8)
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We don't really know what to do for Christmas. We have been helping all three children through high school and college financially and I almost think that is a big enough gift in and of itself. My youngest is a high school senior and we'll help her in her college endeavors also.
Because we've always "done" Christmas I'm afraid they expect something but my husband also has not been working for 9 months (early retirement) so the income is a bit low right now. Oh, my 17 yo just walked into the room so let me ask her a minute.
She said "I don't need anything, no gift cards, nothing would be ok. The move to a different home is a good present." Wow, I didn't expect that!
I think we might be fine with no gifting this year!
Alice
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If it makes you feel better, my parents were super broke when I was 20. We all knew it was going to be a very meager Christmas. I found a Christmas tree for $10 and bought it. I think we were almost expecting no tree at all! :)
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Thanks Leah, it's not like we're totally broke but extremely careful because that tuition bill has to get paid before they can continue on to each semester. These kids/young adults never cease to surprise me with their level of maturity!
I do have a little Christmas tree from my college day that we can put up and a village and that should feel a lot like Christmas.
Alice
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Caylon is completey finished. She was so easy to buy for this year for some reason. It seemed like everything she has mentioned liking over the past 3 or 4 months was on clearance or I found coupon codes to go along with the purchase. I ordered her a sweater from Christopher and Banks and only paid .68!!! Hahahaha....LOVE IT.
Now I've got to concentrate on Aaron. He's a little more difficult. I'll start keeping my eye on the Northern Tool ads and also Harbor Freight.
I think the grands will be easy....Evan will only be 9 months at Christmas so he won't know a thing, Holden will be 23 months and a few toys and books will suit him fine. Lainey is really getting into reading so I think I'll go to Ollies Bargain Outlet and see what kind of books I can find her. They usually have a huge selection of books at really good prices.
Beth
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Caylon is completey finished. She was so easy to buy for this year for some reason. It seemed like everything she has mentioned liking over the past 3 or 4 months was on clearance or I found coupon codes to go along with the purchase. I ordered her a sweater from Christopher and Banks and only paid .68!!! Hahahaha....LOVE IT.
Now I've got to concentrate on Aaron. He's a little more difficult. I'll start keeping my eye on the Northern Tool ads and also Harbor Freight.
I think the grands will be easy....Evan will only be 9 months at Christmas so he won't know a thing, Holden will be 23 months and a few toys and books will suit him fine. Lainey is really getting into reading so I think I'll go to Ollies Bargain Outlet and see what kind of books I can find her. They usually have a huge selection of books at really good prices.
Beth
good for you Beth!!
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so at a 104 days till Christmas I do have some things done - so progress
1) - stockings are done ;) I have mixed feelings about this - I love the theory but the expense is not needed - we have 5 people to have stuff for and unfortunately rather LARGE stocking that I completely stuff - I'm guess I spend $200 or more on these - so this will be a HUGE savings
2) simplifying the decorations - I'm actually donating them as I go through them
3) some shopping done ;D
still to do:
1) make detailed list of who I'm buying for
2) make a detailed but simplified Christmas to-do-list
3) make detailed baking list
4) detailed Christmas list to make list
Sammie has decided Stockings are NOT done ;) she really wants to keep them so I am on the look out for smaller stockings and some small things to add to them
We will see
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68 days left
done:
typed up a simpler Christmas plan
have lots of wrapping and bags
some shopping done
need:
paper tissue
tape
smaller stockings - buy or make - leaning towards making
detail stocking list
detail shopping list
detail baking list with shopping list to go with it
finish shopping
budget for real tree - we buy from the boy scouts usually
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We decided this year to incorporate preparedness supplies in with Christmas gifts. We did a little of this last year when my parents got all the kids warm snowsuits (at least 1 size too big so they would fit for a while). This year they have already said they each want their own flashlights and new The Big One Blankets from Kohls. Last year we gave both our fathers and my brother a hand crank radio/flashlight/cellphone charger and they loved it.
Thought this would be good since I always plan to get some of these things at the end of every month, but the money is never there at the end of the month. Of course we will still buy the toys and new clothes, but I am thinking some practical preparedness supplies might be good to throw in the mix too. Anybody else doing this for Christmas?
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Lindsay, that is a great idea!!