Christmas - Have you started yet?

[isign]

I know we had this thread on the other place but I thought we could start it up here. What are you going to make for Christmas? I am going to make my own Christmas cards, and finish up a cross stitching for SIL that I've been working on for WAY too long. What are ya'll doing?

[Zelda Von Yitz]

Heavens, no...not I...:(

I usually do make my own Christmas cards...I'll see if I can find 2003's for ya...

[camberne]

Heck yes!! I've made my Christmas cards already for this year, and have already started on a few more sets. :) I love Christmas!!

I also have over half my shopping finished. I love not having the stress of that after Halloween or Thanksgiving. I generally don't make my Christmas gifts... I'm not really good with that type of thing. My bath salts were pretty awful a couple years ago.

[maplekitty]

Oh good lord...a wedding is enough right now LOL. Christmas cards can wait :p

However, I *would* like to jar some spiced cider this year :)

[Trillian]

I've been working on a scarf for a friend for a couple of weeks now. I only work on it a little bit at a time, though, so it could very well take me a few months to finish. :)

[princess1224]

I have 3 stockings for the kids that I'm working on cross stitching. I started one of them last year but it had to get put aside until the wedding was over. They're loony tunes so they won't take me long, I shouldn't have a problem finishing by Christmas. :o

I've never made cards before. How do you do it? Is it with a card kit or from a photo? I'm very interested in trying that.

[Heidi9771]

Speaking of Christmas and the holidays...for sure we should have the card exchange program this year! That was so much fun to receive such wonderful cards from other members! It definitely gave personality behind each user name!

[Annette]

Ask me again in December....

[jbenny75]

The thought of Christmas makes my head hurt! Someday, when I'm a SAHM, I'd like to try following the Flylady holiday plan. They have a plan all layed out with every holiday chore included, to help you get done with Christmas by Dec. 1st, so that you can enjoy the month and do fun things instead of getting stressed out.

[villanelle75]

We bought a few gifts last weekend when we were at the fair. Other than that, we've got nothin'!

[isign]

I've never made cards before. How do you do it? Is it with a card kit or from a photo? I'm very interested in trying that.

I'm into stamping. I recently discovered embossing - that's how I do ours.

[katmg]

Oh sheesh. Christmas?? I'm still working on the cross-stitch Christmas skirt I got last August. :rolleyes:

I did handmade Christmas cards the first year we got married (and we got married in November!) Last year it was all I could do to just get pre-made ones stamped and out the door. I'm pretty sure I'll be doing pre-made ones again this year.

I try to do a little something hand-made for Christmas every year. Usually baked-goodies of some sort. Luckily, I don't have to start that in July! :D

[Brandles]

I already made my Christmas 2005 ornaments in the fall of 2004 (when I had time). They're little paper pieced quilted Christmas trees.

I have been thinking about getting my Christmas cards done. I usually take one whole day in July and get them addressed, signed and return-addressed. They're all ready for a stamp and to be sealed (and for a letter to be added later if they're going to someone who receives a letter).

[ktdelsur]

I'm due December 6. I think ppl might just have to either get EARLY christmas cards or no Christmas cards at all from us this year. I'm worried - I need to start shopping early because I can't depend on DH to go and do all the CHristmas shopping/wrapping and sending (one because he's in grad school and will be busy, but just because I don't trust him to do it all! LOL)!

[shopaholic]

BARF Its 100 degrees outside...I definitely do NOT want to think about Christmas. :)

[tigger8402]

ktdelsur I hope u deliver on your due date; thats my birthday, my 21st to be exact!


As far as christmas shopping, no i haven't brought myself to bought anything yet but i have been looking. i will probably start in august or september. Last year i was finished by November 1 and everything else after that was for me. it was wonderful. all the sales all for me!! :D

[Brandles]

celicacutie81--

When I write my annual Christmas card news letter, I'm usually sitting here at the computer, in a t-shirt and shorts. And it's probably late August/early September! ;)

[shimmerstar]

I can't start this early. I will keep making more and more things to keep busy. I will probably start around October. I have no idea what to make this year, except some kind of family tree thingy.

[ktdelsur]

I Hope I do too, tigger! My own birthday is Dec 16, (my 27th) so I think I'd be a record breaker to still be pregnant then. LOL

[TX Sweetheart]

I've *thought* about Christmas... just the other day, when somebody on another board (no, not *that* one) posted a thread saying "6 months 'til Christmas"... I dunno what we'll do this year though... I'm hoping to at least make a list of Christmas card people as well as a Christmas list (MIL will want that sometime in early Sept. LOL) and a list of people to buy presents for... but actually doing the Christmas cards and making stuff, I dunno if that'll happen or not any time soon...

[mrsliby2004]

The thought of Christmas makes my head hurt! Someday, when I'm a SAHM, I'd like to try following the Flylady holiday plan. They have a plan all layed out with every holiday chore included, to help you get done with Christmas by Dec. 1st, so that you can enjoy the month and do fun things instead of getting stressed out. jbenny75 what is the flylady plan?


I use Microsoft Picture It to make a collage to put in the Christmas cards. I create it, save it as a jpeg and then print them at Costco as pictures. I am also hoping ot finish a crosstitch for my parents.

Here's an example of the picture:
http://images.snapfish.com/34433%3C2723232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D9%3A6%3D%3B 38%3DXROQDF%3E232393%3B%3C2%3C66%3Bot1lsi

[eponymous]

I'm sorry, what's Christmas? It's the Fourth of July, for Santa's sake!

[princess1224]

Every time I start shopping early and buy toys for the kids when they are on sale in the summer I just end up with too much for them. There's always another cool movie that comes out right before Christmas or a cool toy and they have to have it. I'm a shopoholic when it comes to my boys, it doesn't matter how much I have already, I'll still buy more for them a week before Christmas.

What kinds of gifts do you make for people? And is it the only gift you give to people?

[jbenny75]

Flylady (http://www.flylady.com/)

Flylady's website basically helps you organize your home and your chores, so that you can do a little at a time and not spend an entire day cleaning your house or living in total chaos. You can just print out their plan and tailor it for yourself, and they also send out daily emails with quick little "missions" to clean or organize areas that you normally don't get to. Before the holidays they start sending out emails everyday with different "missions", all culminating in having your Christmas work done by the beginning of December. There used to be a Flylady group on that OTHER :rolleyes: message board. :p

[jbenny75]

Looks like there is a Flylady thread over on All Things Home.

[Heidi9771]

Looks like there is a Flylady thread over on All Things Home.

Sounds like something I could definetly use...zipping over-------> :D

[boilermaker]

Good gosh, no way! I actually thrive on the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, so if I got my shopping done early, I would either be very disappointed or I would just buy double. I have started some lists of what I am thinking of getting some people.

I do buy my Christmas cards for the following year on the after Christmas sales and I do have my address list on my computer up to date (I print out the envelopes). Does that count?

[elladee]

I haven't done much...

I bought my Christmas Cards after Christmas last year, but I have't even thought about addressing them yet.

I started a scarf for my mom a few months ago, but I have't picked that up in a while...

My biggest Chrstmas present project is making jam/jelly. So far only strawberries are in season here, and I don't do strawberry jam. It's almost time for cherries, though.

[Kimberland30]

I'm of the boxed christmas cards and store bought gifts. I also wait until the last minute (usually the first week of December) before doing anything. I keep promising myself that I'll start earlier, save more, etc. before the next Christmas, and it NEVER happens. :rolleyes: However, I do keep a list in my computer of gift ideas. That way if I'm out with my DH or DD and they see something they like, I can store that away for later use. :)

Mrsliby2004: That is a great idea for a newsletter! I attempted to do one last year, but with our wedding planning, holiday traveling and wedding newsletter I had to do, I just didn't have the time.

[luvnu43]

Christmas?!?! Ugh, no way.

[shopaholic]

celicacutie81--

When I write my annual Christmas card news letter, I'm usually sitting here at the computer, in a t-shirt and shorts. And it's probably late August/early September! ;)

I can see August/September as more "acceptable" but end of June....


Anything before 4th of July is a tad crazy..in my world. I can't even begin to think about Halloween/Thanksgiving! :)

[LyLMyssChaos]

I thought I would bump this up as I just started my Christmas prep this weekend! LOL I bought my first gifts, and DH and I had to buy a new computer this month, so that's our gift, so that will make things a little bit easier. I was just thinking about starting to sign our Christmas cards, so that all I have to do is add in a picture, close them up and send them on their way around Thanksgiving! LOL

[Chimichanga]

I'm starting my Christmas list now. I like to know what I'm buying people so I can try to find deals now.

I love getting ready for Christmas. DH and I cleaned the basement and i have 10 boxes of Christmas stuff - plus a few stragglers. And, this is the first year in our house. We were in an apartment... ;)

[Etoile]

Hmm... so far I've started crocheting a tree skirt, and partially designed our christmas cards. I've also been thinking about menus but haven't solidified that yet.

[sdianems]

I've started the shopping; actually, I started back in June (or July?!). I work part time for a retail company and I don't see myself surviving another holiday season there (this would be #7)....

But I went to the outlet store(s) when they were offering the full employee discount on all purchases. Went twice and managed to drop a whole boat-load 'o cash. But I figure that pretty much everyone is covered (with those rare exceptions who don't like to cook and wouldn't want kitchen items).

Feels good to see boxes all set up in my spare room!

[mermccau]

I have designed and starting making my christmas cards. They are simple and I am trying to use up paper stock that I already have, but they are cute :)

I have started shopping to.

What has everyone bought so far? Perhaps we can help each other think of gifts!

[Ashes]

I've started for some people ;)

[Squee]

Well its the begining of October and christmas decorations are out in the store:rolleyes: Doens stop me having a look tho, I love christmas. I have been a little worried that I would miss out on the excitment this yr tho because we would be so tied up with the wedding but Im getting excited already so I guess Im not going to miss out on a thing!

We just bought a present for ourselves, so US christmas shopping is done..I think a new car counts as enough;)

I have also got our christmas cards started. I usually leave them till the last minute but with the wedding I have alot more on my plate!

[Chocolatecake]

We set the budget and I have started browsing the web and the outlet malls, but I haven't purchased anything. I usually procrastinate,but this year I plan on getting it over and done with...... i hope ;)

[villanelle75]

We've set our limits for spending on each other and we've had the long long talk about Dh actually stickign to budget for me this year. He gets os excited that he always WAY over spends and while it's great to have so many wondeful things under the tree, we've been spending a lot lately and relaly need to reigh ourselves in for Christmas. If he doens't go over by mroe than $50, I'll secretly be happy.

We've also finished shopping for his stepdad, brother, and SIL. We have one of the gifts for his mom and just need to buy her the Harry Potter book and she'll be finished. Unfortunately, I have nothing for my dad, sister, and momand mom yet, and no ideas either.

I'e started writing our Christmas letter and am mostly done with the text but I spend a ton of time adding a photo collage to the back and decoratign and formatting the front.

[TX Sweetheart]

Well, it's Oct. 15... er 16 and I have started on my Christmas cards... I'm starting to think about what to get my mom, since we have to send it early... especially since last year, dumbo me decided to wait 'til Dec. 23 to send my mom's package... to Virginia. We paid for over-nighting it so it would get there sometime Dec. 24 but a stupid snowstorm delayed it and she didn't get it 'til Dec 26 :(
So this year we're gonna buy early, wrap early and send early. Only problem is, I have absolutely no idea what to get her! I'd get her a book, but I don't think she's read the one I got her last year LOL and she hasn't used the bookstore gift card I got her for her birthday either... hmmm...

Also thinking about a book or two for MIL... a golf page-a-day calendar for FIL... absolutely no idea what to get BIL... oh crap no idea what to get DH either LOL

And MIL has asked for our Christmas list and we don't know what to put on it!