Every year, I have these grand plans of getting my Christmas gifts and projects done way ahead of time. And every year, I'm scrambling at the last minute.
We live away from all of our family so either we ship gifts or travel; usually both, since there's no way we can get to everyone over the holidays. Since it's highly unlikely we'll get everyone together in one place.
This past Christmas was the first time we didn't ship or find creative means of "shipping" gifts to everyone! My family was here from the West Coast and then the day after Christmas we traveled to Andy's parents to be with his family which isn't as far away as the West Coast, thankfully!
Anyway, it can be a hectic time getting everything and us ready to go!
So I'm thinking of a bit different strategy for this year--possibly working on a couple gifts each month?
I could at least try it.
Our Christmas list is fairly short. We don't give gifts to everyone we know. We have 16 family members (parents, grandparents, siblings and spouses, nieces and nephews) that we give gifts to. We keep things fairly simple here, usually in the $5-$10 range per person. I like to make a lot of my gifts if I have time. Some gifts will cost $0 because of having the supplies already and then for some one else, we may purchase something that costs $15. It all shakes out in the end!
This year I enjoyed giving small bags of goodies to our neighbors and mail carrier. I also usually give something small like that to my childcare families. I don't usually give Christmas gifts to the children I babysit. I do however help them make a little something for their parents! These gifts are very inexpensive.
At Christmas this year, I started taking notes of some things that would be good gifts for family members, including some favorite candy or snacks. I knew I would forget by next Christmas if I didn't write it down so I immediately started a list on my phone which I can transfer to my notebook later.
This week, I've been working on some fabric gift bags for us to use each year. I've wanted to make them for several years and then would wait until the last minute when I didn't have time! So that's my first project for the year.
Time to get moving!
Have you started to plan for next Christmas yet?
**I already had this post written when I read Monica's post for today! Apparently, I'm not the only one who is already thinking about Christmas!
We live away from all of our family so either we ship gifts or travel; usually both, since there's no way we can get to everyone over the holidays. Since it's highly unlikely we'll get everyone together in one place.
This past Christmas was the first time we didn't ship or find creative means of "shipping" gifts to everyone! My family was here from the West Coast and then the day after Christmas we traveled to Andy's parents to be with his family which isn't as far away as the West Coast, thankfully!
Anyway, it can be a hectic time getting everything and us ready to go!
So I'm thinking of a bit different strategy for this year--possibly working on a couple gifts each month?
I could at least try it.
Our Christmas list is fairly short. We don't give gifts to everyone we know. We have 16 family members (parents, grandparents, siblings and spouses, nieces and nephews) that we give gifts to. We keep things fairly simple here, usually in the $5-$10 range per person. I like to make a lot of my gifts if I have time. Some gifts will cost $0 because of having the supplies already and then for some one else, we may purchase something that costs $15. It all shakes out in the end!
This year I enjoyed giving small bags of goodies to our neighbors and mail carrier. I also usually give something small like that to my childcare families. I don't usually give Christmas gifts to the children I babysit. I do however help them make a little something for their parents! These gifts are very inexpensive.
At Christmas this year, I started taking notes of some things that would be good gifts for family members, including some favorite candy or snacks. I knew I would forget by next Christmas if I didn't write it down so I immediately started a list on my phone which I can transfer to my notebook later.
This week, I've been working on some fabric gift bags for us to use each year. I've wanted to make them for several years and then would wait until the last minute when I didn't have time! So that's my first project for the year.
Time to get moving!
Have you started to plan for next Christmas yet?
**I already had this post written when I read Monica's post for today! Apparently, I'm not the only one who is already thinking about Christmas!
4 comments:
After Christmas I usually sit down and map out a plan and put reminders in my calendar so I don't forget anything when it gets closer to Christmas. But I don't generally actually work on anything until at least November. I just can't get into the "spirit" until then :)
I always have great intentions of doing this. Maybe this will be the year!
I am going to make the chalkboards that Monica posted yesterday. They will make cute gifts!
I hope you post what you make. I enjoy peeking at others ideas!
Wendi,
I'll try to post at least some. Family members read my blog so I don't want to spoil the surprises!
Yay! A kindred spirit! :)
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