Its time to start planning for Christmas!
@happythoughts (4109)
United States
March 25, 2008 6:12pm CST
I know it is early but it is a lot of work and so I would rather start now so we can enjoy the Christmas holiday.
I am looking for cheap present ideas for our family and friends. For the family we usualy spend around $20 each and I would love to cut this down a lot. For the friends we try to spend like $5 or less.
I would love to make things that cost us less but have a bit of heart into them.
Any ideas for gifts this year?
5 responses
@ruby222 (4847)
•
29 Mar 08
I think small tokens are a good idea for christmas...we have given up adults ...the grandchildren get it instead!!...why just waste money ..its silly...if we really need something in the year desperately we would go and get it anyway....id rather have a really good day...with a really nice lunch!!!
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
30 Mar 08
I try to put a little out for everyone. Id rather out a lot of thought rather than a lot of money out there.
@techfreak194 (87)
• United States
4 Apr 08
Well it is really early and i have a hige family to worry about. WIth just under 40 uncles i have a huge family. The problem is that i forget people very often and feel terrible. The other problem that you are getting around by buying items so early is the need for so much money at one time. I have to save up months earlier just to not have to take out a loan for thousands and thousands of dollars.
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
5 Apr 08
PLus I can think about it for longer and make sure that the item is a great price. It takes a bit of planning but it is all worth it when we get by Christmas and we are not drowning in debt like a lot of people are.
@roniroxas (10559)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
i think it is quite early to think about christmas. my first born will enter college on june so i think i need to focus myself to that. i usually start buying something for christmas around august or september. but your strategy is cool. you can buy something cheap now then why not buy it and save it as presents for christmas
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
26 Mar 08
We have a big family and it is something that seems to add up really fast. If we dont start now then it kills the budget.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
26 Mar 08
Do you have $2 and some time? I bought a nice tin cannister for $1. Found an old Zen calendar and looked up the rest of the inspirational sayings on the net and printed them out. You can get them from magazines, the net, whatever. You'll need 365. Cut them out/print them, fold them up small and fill the cannister. It costs a couple of bucks but people know you've spent some time on it and they love it.
Along the same lines, write little things you remember about the person. You don't have to have one for everyday but try to have at least one per week. Buy a tin or whatever but the main idea is that they can read one of your loving memories at regular intervals. This is especially good for parents or grandparents. I did this for Father's Day and my dad said it was the best present he'd ever gotten.
You can make them funny, inspirational, factual, historical, trivia or personal. Everyone I've given them to love them. It's cheap and you really put your heart into it, which is what Christmas is about.
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
26 Mar 08
Cute idea. This is something that I can easily start now and it will never be a stress factor for me. I am excited to try this. Thank you so much.
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
3 Apr 08
I try not to decorate for Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving and then I dont compleately decorate until after Halloween. I feel like thoes holidays are getting lost in all the marketing season. I used to beable to buy Halloween decorations on my anniversary, September 11th, and now they barely put anything out and almost skip the sales all together.
