Anyone Planning Christmas Presents Yet?

cowboysnc

Just wondered if anyone started getting gifts together yet.  I actually am just because I am due the end of November and don't think I'll get much shopping done in December. 

I did cookie mixes for my family last year looking for something similar.  Thanks! 

kidnicky1321

I have no excuse for it, but I have started to get gifts around and wrapped. I've even started planning parties for both Halloween and Christmas. I am a holiday nut so of course I've started.

bg022202

I am going to admit that I bought some stuff on sale after Christmas last year. I try around Aug. to write out who I am buying for and plan what I am going to buy them. Then around late Sept. early Oct. I start buying a few things every time I get paid. That way I don't have to spend it all in Dec. or get into credit card debit. 

WA1215

I have started to buy gifts, so I can catch things on sale/clearance.  It's mostly toys/games so far for our niece & nephew.  Im doing a lot of crafts this year since we are on a very tight budget.

Im sewing a super hero cape, crayon roll, and number beans bags for nephew.

For my brother, I bought a bunch of alumni stuff at the end of the year when it all went on sale at the bookstore. Im doing etched beer mugs (bought the beer mugs from the dollar tree).

Thats all I have so far.  I always do a cookie tray to give to friends as well. 

Ilumine

I am here in Germany.  We have to SHIP things at the beginning of November to ensure that everything is there by Christmas. 

That being said, every time we go someplace fun, I pull out my list (on my phone) and look to see if there is something I can get. 

And this has helped our bottom line too, between Christmas and Birthdays, its too expensive to wait till the end of the year.

Daisy57b

Me! I'm due the week before Thanksgiving so there will be no Christmas shopping in Nov or Dec.

pandasquishy

I've been watching Christmas in July on QVC and so far we've covered four people with gifts.  Score!

getitdone

I have 5 nephews and a niece and 5 of the 6 have birthdays  between now and the end of the year, so I took advantage of Toys R Us' Christmas in July sales and free shipping.

flowerpower3

I've already started!  I made my list a couple weeks ago and I've been keeping my eyes open while out shopping.

happylady5

Yep! I Christmas shop year round because you get better deals and it's less stressful.  Plus, I enjoy taking my time.  I actually knocked out stocking stuffers for my 2 nephews at Target's $1 section a couple weeks ago.

I'm thinking through what I want to get for everybody, too.  We had some family photos made that I plan on framing for some inexpensive, yet memorable, gifts too.

What other simple DIY ideas do yall have - I like cookie mixes, hot chocolate mixes - anything else similar?

daileyjesse

Yes, myself and DH have already started. This is sale time and it is wise to buy and save it for Christmas. The only difficulty is that they have to be hidden from kids. Almost every year we buy around this time.

hillysuze

Usually I wait until October to start but between hoping to buy a house by the end of the year and just found out I'm going to be an aunt for the first time, I'll start earlier. Between a home and a new baby in the family, I'll be long broke if I wait until December to start (babies are just so much fun to shop for!)

TraceyandJeff

Last Christmas I was at my IL's and had asked my MIL to make quilo's for my mom and 3 sisters. (quilo's are quilts that you fold into pillows)....they are so pretty! She had them finished by May and now they're sitting in boxes at my mom's house. How she hasn't opened them by now is a miracle, but she's being good. I'll be visiting next weekend and plan to wrap them then. I didn't plan on these gifts being finished so early, but mil is not one to put things off. Now I just need my MIL and FIL....they're taking us on a cruise right after Thanksgiving so their Christmas gifts have to be amazing...any ideas?

chardonnay24

No. Our families do Christmas lists and everyone refuses to start thinking of lists until at least November. I would prefer to do it earlier this year though, because I'm having three baby showers between Thanksgiving and Christmas, plus my finals week is mid December.

BLM10

I shop year-round, but for things that can't go bad or out of style. I'm making quilts for 2 nephews and have yet to buy for either set of parents, but otherwise, I'm done shopping and wrapping.

festivegal2008

I have some ideas but haven't actually bought yet.  I am famous for buying stuff at the summer street fairs though and stashing them for Christmas.  Surprisingly, I haven't done that this year!!

togacrew3

I've been brainstorming holiday card ideas that I want to get started on in September. I plan on making mini (6") cheesecakes for a lot of people this year and have started coming up with new recipes... I have a mojito cheesecake sitting in the oven right now! (and a mojito sitting in a glass right next to me!)

 I need to get started on the master list though!

rands09

 Yep! I Christmas shop year round because you get better deals and it's less stressful.

This is me exactly! I picked up some things last week, and I totally agree that it's less stressful. I couldn't imagine giving myself only a few weeks to shop when the whole world is also out there trying to do the same thing...lol

It's so hectic shopping "during the season" at times, that I find I like to take my time and pick up things as I come across them during the year...but every so often you do run across a really good holiday sale during the season that you just can't resist!

krt100706

I also try to shop year round, even ocassionally finding a gift right after Christmas for next year!  It does make it easier and I usually get better deals.  Some of my family is lazy about giving ideas though so I still do about half of my shopping during the traditional season.  We are all in agreement to exchange the kid's wish lists next week at a family get together so hopefully that will work out nicely!

J+R

Yes!!  Sam's Club already has their wrapping paper out (huge rolls for $10!) and when I get 30% off coupons at Kohl's and stuff I always see if I can find Christmas gifts Any time I can find a sale I'm happy

steen05

I have everything wrapped and ready to go!  The only person left is DH and I am waiting for out paychecks in Oct. to order his gifts.  I am due Thanksgiving day and there is no way I am taking a 3 yr old and an infant out shopping! 

I made calendars for most of the grandparents and great-grandparents.  At Walgreens you can custom make calendars with pictures of your family.  The best thing is you can put a picture on the date as well.  So for everyone's birthday or anniversary I added a picture.  They came out great!  I made 3 different designs.