Fru-Gal Friends

Subject: How's your Christmas list going? Fri 14 Sep 2007, 1:09 am

Yes I know it's 'only' September but Christmas kind of sneaks up quickly...a bit like a snowball rolling down a hill, growing bigger and picking up momentum as it goes...then ....CRASH!!!

I was wondering if we should set ourselves some kind of Christmas challenge to help out.

e.g. We each compile a Christmas 'giftlist' and each week (or two weeks) time and money permitting, we target one name on the list so we can gradually cross them all off before D-day arrives.

I realize some of us may already 'do' the list thing, this was my first year using one.
I have most of my presents purchased AND WRAPPED to take to Ireland so we can deliver them personally before Christmas. But, sadly I couldn't finish it completely because we have NO IDEA what to get for DH's brothers (3 of them) so we plan on sorting those out when we get there, maybe gift vouchers for entertainment or such. Why are men so hard to choose for? scratch

Anyway, it's just a suggestion, I love eliminating them one by one... Razz

This year I really want to simply enjoy the season, relax and soak up the atmosphere! :wreath:

I want everything finished here WAY BEFORE December!
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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Subject: Re: How's your Christmas list going? Fri 14 Sep 2007, 6:11 am

I agree with you Skin. I don't want any stress this holiday season. I want to strictly enjoy my family, focus on Jesus' bithday and relax. I already do the list, but many times I forget about their birthday and the gift is given at the birthday which still leaves me Christmas shopping.
And wow 16 days...looking at your ticker to Ireland. That is coming up quickly. Are you ready?
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Subject: Re: How's your Christmas list going? Fri 14 Sep 2007, 5:24 pm

Yes it is coming up quickly escarcha, I'm so excited even if not 100% ready yet!
Next week I'm going to lay the suitcases on the bed in the spare room and start filling them with clothes we want to take, that way they won't get worn and have to be laundered before leaving! All the prezzies are going into the smallest case so that's easy.
I also have an empty A4 display book which I'm going to fill with all our travel/car/accomodation documents and information in the order we'll be needing them, that way I know it's all together!
I've been making a list of monthly bills that arrive early in the month as our neighbour is very kindly going to pay those for us next month with the money we'll be leaving for those, that's one less thing to worry about, since I didn't want them to run overdue.
I'm soooooo excited, it's been very hard not to let our secret slip. DH's aunt (his Mum's sis) just passed away a few hours ago so it will be good for his Mum to have a visit within the next few weeks. DH almost told her last week in the hope of lifting her spirits but held off. I don't know how we've kept it secret, the closer it gets the harder it becomes, we almost have to try to avoid contact with family!
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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Subject: Re: How's your Christmas list going? Fri 14 Sep 2007, 6:01 pm

I am about 65 % done . we are trying to get our life recenter .. this has not been a great year .. but we are going to celebrate Jesus and his birthday .. and service to others.. I do not want my Children or Grandchild ever to be greedy .
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Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Subject: Re: How's your Christmas list going? Fri 14 Sep 2007, 7:28 pm

I love this idea skin,,love it! Count me in,,I have alot going on at home with remodeling and hubbys DR visits,,his family is comming here for Christmas on the 23rd,,so we have a deadline to make on the remodeling,
As of Christmas,I have bought a few small things to go with bigger gifts,,as soon as this week is over I will be able to get a list going and start marking them off one by one!This way I can sit back and relax and enjoy the holiday for the real reason!

Subject: Re: How's your Christmas list going? Sun 16 Sep 2007, 7:08 am

We have nothing so far and not sure if we will do anything. We have no money right now.
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Vicki

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Moderator Age : 27 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 1790

Today I went to Walmart and Robbie had $200 to spend from the agency...got stuff for Christmas as well as for now...couldn't find things to spend it all on...even picked up a few things for he and Ty to share as they are the same size...I still have $40 to spend...will do that tomorrow...I think I will get Robbiw something to save for Christmas...it can only be clothes.

I know what you mean Vicki,,, I thought things were going to be different tha they are and we are BROKE....not sure what we will do at all. It's hard!

Subject: Re: How's your Christmas list going? Mon 17 Sep 2007, 8:53 pm

Well tonight I looked in the cedar chest and found a few things. Now to figure out who is getting them and what is going with them.

My mom- candy cane ornaments I purchased after christmas
candle holder painted like a peppermint candy (recycled from a gift I received last year) with a cranberry peppermint yankee votive purchased last year on clearance.

Girl's grandmother - Better homes and Garden mug and subscription set and celestial tea set gotten after New Years .

Girls father - Field and Stream mug set and magazine subscription gotten after New Years

Bailey - Princess Foam craft set

Darin - Pirate wood door hanger craft

Not sure about the rest....

slipper booties
(3) slipper socks
(2) yankee candle air fresheners for car
(6) yankee candle votive candles christmas scents
journal
shell stationary set
(2) really cute photo portfolios (look like frames but fold out to hold 14 photos)
(6) really cute little photo books (like brag books)

Any items or suggestions would be appreciated on what to do with or include with the slipper socks and picture albums.
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Vicki

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Subject: Re: How's your Christmas list going? Mon 17 Sep 2007, 8:58 pm

Maybe for the photo/brag books you could insert vouchers for movies/dvd rentals/scratchies/mcdonalds vouchers...whatever reasonably priced things you can find and only as you can afford them. You could intersperse with candies etc..or stickers/patches/badges...just fun stuff...even new hairslides and such...
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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Subject: Re: How's your Christmas list going? Mon 17 Sep 2007, 9:01 pm

I knew you would have some ideas skin. I was just remembering the gift you sent me and how much I enjoyed it!
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Vicki

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Moderator Age : 27 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 1790

That's a GREAT idea Skin!!! I think I might look into that for tow of the teens I have to buy for....not sure...hmmm

Vicki, it sounds like you have a great start!

Subject: Re: How's your Christmas list going? Tue 18 Sep 2007, 8:49 am

We have a "treasure chest" theme going for the nieces. We found them at Joanne's Fabric Store after Christmas. We're trying to figure out what to put in them. I know gift cards, but we want something more personal for the girls. For the two youngest ones, we're going to try and put them on a scavenger hunt so they have to find their treasure chests. The rest of the family is getting homemade cookies, candy and other assorted food items. (My family likes to be fed drool

)

I've finished shopping for hubby. Oh, and we have a new niece. She was born on Sept. 4, but she'll be easy to shop for.

Subject: Re: How's your Christmas list going? Tue 18 Sep 2007, 11:24 am

how exciting sissy with a new baby around Christmas
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Vicki

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Subject: Re: How's your Christmas list going? Tue 18 Sep 2007, 11:53 am

oh Sissy how wonderful for you family ..

I am working on copies of family recipes for my girls I found wonderful binders during the school years . I found some really great paper on line and I am making them cookbooks.

I made quilts for the Grandbabies , and everyone a tebby bear .

at the beginning of summer I brought a car kit I going to give my DH ... it got emergency kit , and stuff for the car ... so that one gift for him

for my shoebox I got a bag of ty beanie bears at a sale they are adorable

I am stuck on what to give my Sister in Law .. she going to be the hard one
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Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Moderator Age : 27 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 1790

WOW...it seems as if my head may explode...with school the house, Robbie and DH ALWAYS working....I can't even think about Christmas right now and I NEED to if I am going to be frugal! You ladies inspire me!