Thinking Ahead

@BettyB (4117)
Summerville, South Carolina
June 25, 2017 7:33am CST
Yesterday I read a post written by Valerie, @just4him . She was reminding us that it’s only 26 weeks until Christmas. I brushed off the reminder. There’s time yet. I’ve always started my Christmas shopping early, but not this early. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to get the reminder out of my head since then. One of the things I like to do for Christmas is to make ornaments and attach them to packages instead of bows. They may or may not end up on the tree for that year, but they are packed away with the rest of the ornaments and used the following year. Last year I crocheted little angels like the one pictured above. I made close to thirty of them. They were attached to some packages but I also gave them out to my women’s group. I want to make ornaments again this year and that takes time. Starting now instead of the first of December makes sense. Thanks Valerie. I’m not sure what I’m going to make, but I’m thinking about it. Christmas will be here before we know it.
21 people like this
20 responses
• Valdosta, Georgia
25 Jun 17
Yeah I need to get started too since it comes so fast every year-before we know it! From now on I am going to use my earnings here to buy a couple things for Christmas.
5 people like this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
25 Jun 17
I won't start buying gifts yet but there are several that I want to make. I'll be starting on them next week.
2 people like this
@Kandae11 (55172)
25 Jun 17
Those do take a lot of time.
3 people like this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
25 Jun 17
Actually they go together fairly fast. The body and the wings are just granny squares. The halo is a key ring that I crocheted over.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (51543)
• Canada
25 Jun 17
I thought about the same thing, only 6 months away. I love all things about the Christmas season and I know how quickly the time will pass. Starting early on these pretty little angels will make it a less hectic time for you.
3 people like this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
25 Jun 17
I will make more of the little angels this year, but I need to come up with something new. I have a few ideas but I'm not sure what will be this year's ornament.
2 people like this
@DWDavis (25805)
• United States
25 Jun 17
Since our sons have grown up and moved out, Christmas doesn't have the magic for me it once did. I'm hoping this changes when (and if) our sons some day grace us with grandchildren.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
26 Jun 17
My sons are grown but I still enjoy Christmas. It will be even better if/when my sons give me some grandchildren. Sigh... I've been waiting and waiting. They keep telling me eventually.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25805)
• United States
26 Jun 17
@BettyB My oldest is an AF officer and has told us he doesn't even plan to start thinking about marriage until he makes Captain in 2 more years. Our youngest plans to finish his PhD before he gets married. No telling how long it will be before my missus and I see grandkids.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
27 Jun 17
@DWDavis Both of my sons are in committed relationships and are talking marriage, but it will be a few years after that before they start thinking about babies. I don't hassle them about it but my sister (only a year older than me) was given her first great grandchild a month ago. I'm so jealous!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472124)
• Switzerland
25 Jun 17
Your little angel is very nice. I am surely going to make ornaments, but no more gifts. We are all adults and it's time to stop wasting money and time. The best will be to celebrate together without the stress that the commercialization of this holiday has brought.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472124)
• Switzerland
27 Jun 17
@BettyB I agree, as we are only adults in the family we see no more reason to exchange gifts.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
27 Jun 17
@LadyDuck My sons are grown but they're are just starting out. They will not ask for help, which I understand, but I want to help. Giving them some of the things they need a Christmas is one way of doing that without damaging their pride.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
27 Jun 17
We still buy gifts for our sons and their significant others, but no longer exchange gifts with brothers and sisters. The holidays are stressful enough.
2 people like this
@just4him (317316)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Jun 17
I'm glad my reminder has you thinking ahead. Crocheting all those ornaments will take time. I really love the angel one in the picture. You're welcome
1 person likes this
@just4him (317316)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
26 Jun 17
@BettyB Will you show us the pattern of what you're going to do when you decide?
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
26 Jun 17
The ornaments take some time but I enjoy it and the people I give them to appreciate them. I'll make a few more angels like the one above but I need to come up with something new for this Christmas.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
27 Jun 17
@just4him I certainly will. I have several projects I need to finish before I can start on something new. I need to tie off the quilts I made for the nursing home and my niece is having a baby the end of August. I still haven't made her gift. I need to get going on that. I'm running out of time.
1 person likes this
@much2say (56224)
• Los Angeles, California
25 Jun 17
What a sweet angel - and what a cute idea! Christmas is always in the back of my mind . . . but I just don't want to think about it is more like it . And now you remind me that I should start "something" now too . . . it's gonna come up quick !
1 person likes this
@much2say (56224)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Jun 17
@BettyB Thanks to you I at least started on making my Christmas list. But in reality I probably won't get to any of it til after the kids go back to school in mid August. I'm sure you'll think of something cute to make!
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
27 Jun 17
I've found that Christmas is less stressful if I plan ahead. I have a couple of projects to finish before I start thinking about this year's ornament. I'm not sure what I'm going to make.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
11 Jul 17
@much2say I've come up with a few ideas but I've decided to set the project aside for now. It's summer and there are too many other things I want to do. I'll get them done...eventually.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 17
Yes it will be here fast Betty. Cute little ornaments there. What a good idea. I do not get much at all for Xmas well it is just me and my son thats all.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Jun 17
@BettyB Welcome.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
27 Jun 17
Thanks. I enjoy making them.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
25 Jun 17
I have already started my shopping and perhaps I will consider something similar, crocheting something to put on packages.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
26 Jun 17
@BettyB I like the idea of a personal touch.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
11 Jul 17
@BelleStarr It's fun seeing ornaments that I made on other people's Christmas trees.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
26 Jun 17
I use the ornaments instead of bows, at least for family members. It also helps out the ones just starting out and don't have many ornaments.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50579)
• United States
26 Jun 17
Love your enjoy.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
27 Jun 17
They were fun to make.
@bluesa (15022)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
28 Jun 17
Scary to think that we are fast heading toward another Christmas @BettyB . I might start preparing earlier too. That crochet angel is so dainty with its golden halo. :)
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15022)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
5 Jul 17
@BettyB that sounds like a fun and great idea for Christmas decorations.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
11 Jul 17
@bluesa I finished the crocheted angels I wanted to make. I wanted to start experimenting with new patterns but I've decided to put it off until September. I've got too much other stuff on my plate right now.
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15022)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
11 Jul 17
@BettyB I can see you are quite busy. All the best with all you have to do :)
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
2 Jul 17
I don't want to think of Christmas yet either, it will have to stay in the back of my mind. I love the little angel!!
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
4 Jul 17
Thanks. They're pretty easy to make. I'll make more of them but I want to come up with a new ornament for this year. I haven't decided what yet.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20038)
• United States
27 Jun 17
I love those. Yeah I asked Chris what he wants for his birthday/Christmas already. I don't do my shopping until Black Friday.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20038)
• United States
4 Jul 17
@BettyB Last year I did most of my Black Friday shopping online.
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
4 Jul 17
I try to be done with my shopping by Black Friday. That's one day I refuse to step foot in a store. The savings is not worth the aggravation.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67080)
• United States
25 Jun 17
Thats so cute! I want one! My great-grandmother made snowflakes, stockings, and bells. We have them on the tree every year.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67080)
• United States
27 Jun 17
@BettyB thsts cool
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
27 Jun 17
The angels are easy to make. The body and wings are just granny squares and the halo is a key ring that I crocheted over.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (140051)
• Roseburg, Oregon
26 Jun 17
I hope you come up with a good idea to make something really nice.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
11 Jul 17
Many see the end of the year ready to jump at them @BettyB And each year it goes faster, doesn't it?
@1creekgirl (41778)
• United States
5 Jul 17
Those angels are so pretty! You're very talented. For several years now, I design calendars with our family photos. Our grand kids are 27, 23, 14, and 8, so they mostly get gift cards and cash. Our only great grandchild is 2, so she's fun to shop for.
• United States
25 Jun 17
Your little crocheted ornaments are adorable! I swear I am going to start my shopping early this year but maybe not quite this early. 26 weeks does seem like it will be here before we know it
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
27 Jun 17
It will be here before we know it. I don't have a lot of shopping to do, but there are some gifts I want to make. I need to get started on them.
• Dallas, Texas
25 Jun 17
I think doing this, I mean, making ornaments and using them in place of bows is excellent. The thing I like most is the personal and special nature of it and the fact they can be also used to decorate the tree is a very good reason to favor this idea a lot.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
27 Jun 17
I enjoy making the ornaments and as we decorate the tree, we end up reminiscing about what happened what year. Its fun to see my ornaments decorating other people's trees as well. I much prefer home made ornaments to the standard ones most people use.
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
25 Jun 17
That is adorable and Valerie has the right idea. I don't celebrate, so I'm free as a bird.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
26 Jun 17
Thanks. They were fun to make.
1 person likes this