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Post by lisamarie on Nov 16, 2013 5:36:31 GMT
Idk about anyone else (except maybe Santa), but I started my Christmas shopping this morning and I couldn't be more excited about the holidays!  |
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Post by Emily on Nov 16, 2013 6:25:15 GMT
Wow! I always tell myself I'll start early next year but I'm a bit of the bulk Christmas shopping at the last minute kinda shopper!
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Post by Sarah on Nov 16, 2013 9:19:25 GMT
I always hand make my gifts - my family has so many THINGS, so I like to make my gifts meaningful by taking a lot of time over them. Plus, its a great way for a college student like me to make the holidays more affordable. But it takes so much time, I'm usually at it before thanksgiving XD I started for this year about a week ago.
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Post by lisamarie on Nov 16, 2013 14:23:49 GMT
I've never started this early before but it's a good feeling  I've been all over Pinterest on holiday gift ideas - some were interesting but we'll see. I'm hoping to find something to make fort grandfather because he yells at us when we buy him things xD but we do it anyway |
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Post by Emily on Nov 16, 2013 14:55:17 GMT
Sarah it's awesome you make your gifts! I've painted frames, drink glasses, and other stuff before. It really does take a lot of time though!
If I could just learn how to fully crochet and knit, I'd be so set for gifts. I've tried watching YouTube videos but either in watching bad ones, or I'm completely unable to do anything with yarn.
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Post by rdkntriker on Nov 16, 2013 16:26:48 GMT
It is only 39 days till Christmas morning. HoHoHo I always start early also
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Post by lisamarie on Nov 17, 2013 5:21:31 GMT
I got my mother a Corning ware set and a set of new cutting boards. I'm working on my boyfriends parents, as well as my boyfriend and then I have my sisters to buy for and I'll be all done I love shopping for others |
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Post by Pammy on Nov 17, 2013 6:05:32 GMT
I'm feeling a little bit overwhelmed about Christmas shopping this year. We always go overboard on our kids, and this year we will be forced to simplify because my hubby and I chose to cut up our credit cards back in May. It has been such a wonderful feeling. I want what we buy for our kids to be really good choices, not dumb stuff that is awesome Christmas Day and then shoved to the corners of their rooms before January is over. I usually have a lot of really good ideas, but this year I just don't. I kind of wish we could do a year without presents, or do one of those really selfless things you'd see on a Hallmark movie, like spend all of our Christmas money on food and presents for a family going thru a really rough time. I wouldn't really do that to my kids, but I think it would be an amazing Christmas that we'd never forget.
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Post by Sarah on Nov 17, 2013 7:12:16 GMT
Why don't you consider giving them experiences instead of material things? Day trips you could set up and surprise them with? Tickets to an event they've always wanted to attend? A vacation they'd never forget, even if it was somewhere nearby.
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Post by rdkntriker on Nov 17, 2013 14:53:09 GMT
My wife and I do not exchange gifts, instead we use that money for a New Years Eve trip to Ocean City
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Post by Emily on Nov 17, 2013 14:58:25 GMT
Pammy that's exactly what I'm having problems with this year. For Jarod, I know a new pair of slippers, some shirts and maybe a video game will suffice but for my in laws, they have so much STUFF. Heck, we bought my mother in law really nice teams year because she's always drinking it (she's British  ) but she never opens and uses it. Just sits it on a shelf to look at. So I'm having trouble getting her stuff she'll be forced to use. Like a frame with pictures or a coffee mug. |
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Post by lisamarie on Nov 17, 2013 17:04:40 GMT
Pammy, you definitely should try to plan something for your whole family. What about star gazing at night on Christmas Eve as a family? I've always loved that idea... Just a thought. I have issues buying for my boyfriends parents and they're not even my in-laws technically... They're just my boyfriends parents lol Just because they're a wealthy family (not my bf though... They do not share their wealth with their kids that's for sure) and I just feel that anything I can afford is not good enough for them. And I know they have everything they need because I know if they needed something they'd just go out and buy it -_- fortunately my parents are almost the exact opposite so it's easy to see what they need and it doesn't have to be a million dollars to please them. (Don't think I have anything against my bf's family - I don't! I absolutely love them so much but they're just difficult to buy for) |
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Post by Pammy on Nov 17, 2013 18:15:41 GMT
Thanks for the great food for thought, everybody. I'll ponder some different ideas this year, and have a family discussion with my hubby & kiddos.
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gillian
Egg
Mama of budgies Teddie and Stevie
Posts: 40 
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Post by gillian on Nov 18, 2013 3:31:33 GMT
Christmas shopping seems to get more and more difficult the older the kids/in-laws, etc. get. Grandkids are the easiest, but adults...everyone has so much (materially anyway), we really are very blessed! This year I think I will be giving some homemade gifts to the adult women - I just made my first infinity scarf today. It turned out really well and was super easy to make, even for the sewing challenged like me! You can make a 'fashion' type scarf or a scarf to wear with a winter coat, depending upon the fabric you chose. I made a blue (different shades) and white one to wear with jeans. Cost me $8.00 and I have enough fabric left to make at least one more scarf.
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Post by lisamarie on Nov 18, 2013 4:23:40 GMT
DIY gifts seem to be gaining popularity recently and I must say I love the idea of it! I just don't know exactly what DIY things I would be good at making :/
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) but she never opens and uses it. Just sits it on a shelf to look at. So I'm having trouble getting her stuff she'll be forced to use. Like a frame with pictures or a coffee mug. 
