Have you done any Christmas shopping yet?

[EvelynD2]

I can't believe that Christmas is next month. I only have one gift bought so far. We decided this year that the adults will draw names and pick one person to buy for but all of us will buy for the children. I guess we will draw at Thanksgiving. The children have wish lists on Amazon so that makes it easier to shop for them. This is especially helpful for the teen grands! It's often hard to know what to get them!

 

[vickyday]

No gifts. We give cash to the grands 18 and under.

 

[EvelynD2]

No gifts. We give cash to the grands 18 and under.

That is the perfect gift! It is always the right size and color!

 

[AK_Tracy]

So far I have a stocking stuffer, Christmas Eve family shirts for 11 people, and ideas. I need to get things going but just unmotivated. I did just order Christmas cards.

 

[EvelynD2]

So far I have a stocking stuffer, Christmas Eve family shirts for 11 people, and ideas. I need to get things going but just unmotivated. I did just order Christmas cards.

I admire people who send cards and having shirts for 11 people is amazing!

 

[AK_Tracy]

I admire people who send cards and having shirts for 11 people is amazing!

we use to do pajamas but it got too expensive. Each year they match and its fun. Last year the girls were green and the boys were red, all had snowmen with words "stay frosty" on them. its as so fun. Cant wait to share this years shirts. One year I did black shirts with the dog type of each person on them, kids had shihtzu, daughters fam had labs, etc. Was so fun. As for cards, I love sending them. Sometimes I hate creating them LOL Can never find the perfect family photo. But its always fun when they arrive and get to send them out.

 

[Jeannette]

O no. But of course in the Netherlands we celebrate Sinterklaas first. No Christmas before December 10.

 

[Cherylndesigns]

I didn't do anything but money last year. Chuck was feeling pretty bad by Christmas, so it was kind of quiet for us. I decided to do Christmas shopping this year and have been picking things up here and there for a month or so. Adrienne and I have been finding some great sale items and if we see them and like them, we get them. I have quite a few gifts already. My granddaughter's new fiancé is a golfer and I found him some gorgeous ceramic ball markers shaped like shamrocks. He loves shamrocks, too. I'm just doing some "fun things" for the guys. I still need a few extra gifts for everybody, but have the girls all taken care of.

 

[EvelynD2]

we use to do pajamas but it got too expensive. Each year they match and its fun. Last year the girls were green and the boys were red, all had snowmen with words "stay frosty" on them. its as so fun. Cant wait to share this years shirts. One year I did black shirts with the dog type of each person on them, kids had shihtzu, daughters fam had labs, etc. Was so fun. As for cards, I love sending them. Sometimes I hate creating them LOL Can never find the perfect family photo. But its always fun when they arrive and get to send them out.

It sounds like your family has so many wonderful traditions! I was excited that a lady from church offered to take free Christmas pictures of anyone that wanted them. She bought four backgrounds and we had our pictures make with a few of them. Our little granddaughter came to church with us last Sunday and had her photo made as well. I would like to give them as gifts this year.

 

[EvelynD2]

O no. But of course in the Netherlands we celebrate Sinterklaas first. No Christmas before December 10.

My mother was German and many of my German friends celebrated St. Nikolaus Tag but our family didn't because my dad was American. It would have been fun to participate and have that family tradition.

 

[EvelynD2]

I didn't do anything but money last year. Chuck was feeling pretty bad by Christmas, so it was kind of quiet for us. I decided to do Christmas shopping this year and have been picking things up here and there for a month or so. Adrienne and I have been finding some great sale items and if we see them and like them, we get them. I have quite a few gifts already. My granddaughter's new fiancé is a golfer and I found him some gorgeous ceramic ball markers shaped like shamrocks. He loves shamrocks, too. I'm just doing some "fun things" for the guys. I still need a few extra gifts for everybody, but have the girls all taken care of.

I know that it was hard to you last year and I also know this Christmas will be bittersweet for you. It won't be the same without your precious husband but I am happy that you are persevering to make this Christmas a happy one for your loved ones. You are such an amazing and strong woman and I know that you bring so much joy and love to all who are blessed to know you!

 

[Cherylndesigns]

I know that it was hard to you last year and I also know this Christmas will be bittersweet for you. It won't be the same without your precious husband but I am happy that you are persevering to make this Christmas a happy one for your loved ones. You are such an amazing and strong woman and I know that you bring so much joy and love to all who are blessed to know you!

Oh Evelyn, what wonderful and encouraging words, thank you so much. I'm having fun picking things up for the kids and we have two new guys this year. Ava's engaged and Alyssa has a "serious for her" boyfriend. I'm determined to have a good Christmas this year. Last year wasn't very good.

 

[EvelynD2]

Oh Evelyn, what wonderful and encouraging words, thank you so much. I'm having fun picking things up for the kids and we have two new guys this year. Ava's engaged and Alyssa has a "serious for her" boyfriend. I'm determined to have a good Christmas this year. Last year wasn't very good.

I am so happy that you are having lots of fun with your holiday preparations and Christmas shopping! I sounds like you have some fantastic gifts already picked out so you are well on your way! I have one gift bought so far!

 

[taxed4ever]

Actually I picked up a few gifts today for my Grands and hope that our son has room in his suitcase to take them back with him. He is out for a quick visit and flies to his home on Sunday.

 

[joyfulheartdesigns]

I actually finished all of my Christmas shopping before the end of October! lol I also have my two oldest kids' Birthdays on Dec. 12th & 15th, so I finished up the shopping for that, as well, except for getting a Walmart gift card for my son because he is extra difficult to buy for Wrapping will be the most difficult part...I usually put stuff in leftover food boxes like crackers, cereal, just so when they unwrap it they are like "HUH?!!"

 

[mimes1]

I have a couple friends from my old work that we have a three way text thread that's been going on since I retired in 2020. They are both retired now as well. I always send each of them something for Christmas, and find something small at local craft fairs. Which I love. So last summer I was at a craft fair and found something for each of them. Last month, Mark and I were at a craft fair, and I bought them each something, forgetting I had already done so! So I've started Christmas shopping, and now am two gifts ahead!

 

[AK_Tracy]

I usually put stuff in leftover food boxes like crackers, cereal, just so when they unwrap it they are like "HUH?!!"

I LOVE This!!!! I might have to try it!!!!!!

 

[joyfulheartdesigns]

I LOVE This!!!! I might have to try it!!!!!!

You totally SHOULD!!!!!! It is SO MUCH FUN to see the reactions Well, it will be for YOU because your family and friends will NOT be expecting it.... The first year I did it WAS the best...now they have pretty much caught on, so I still just do it for my own silly pleasure and watching them roll their eyes at my continued joke which is now just pretty much with myself. Ooooo....I am going to change the game this year....I will give each of them an actual REAL box of something as a gag gift (and probably still do what I normally do, let's be honest here)!! Okay, that will be fun...gotta pick some crazy stuff...muahahahahaaaaa

 

[AK_Tracy]

You totally SHOULD!!!!!! It is SO MUCH FUN to see the reactions Well, it will be for YOU because your family and friends will NOT be expecting it.... The first year I did it WAS the best...now they have pretty much caught on, so I still just do it for my own silly pleasure and watching them roll their eyes at my continued joke which is now just pretty much with myself. Ooooo....I am going to change the game this year....I will give each of them an actual REAL box of something as a gag gift (and probably still do what I normally do, let's be honest here)!! Okay, that will be fun...gotta pick some crazy stuff...muahahahahaaaaa

Oooooohhhhhhh I love how you think!!!!!!

 

[faerywings]

I ordered my first and only gift so far- a welcome mat for my DS and his GF for when they go camping. It says "welcome to our campsite" with their names on it.
I don't even have ideas of what to get people this year

@joyfulheartdesigns I am LMBO at your "gift boxes"

 

[JeanneMN]

I finished my two day decorating marathon on Wednesday , same day the Christmas cards arrived. No, I'm not super organized, I can't decorate until they are ordered. Yesterday I ordered Hallmark Ornaments for my grands which I started doing the year they were born. They have a special tree at their mom's where they hang their ornaments.

 

[Betty Jo]

I do the same as Vicki Day, give cash. The tastes of my grands differ greatly from mine, so I'd rather they buy what they like, than having to be kind to me if I buy for them. My DIL's family does draw names at Thanksgiving, so I will have to buy one gift for someone there. And, I send cards to a few family members.

 

[Betty Jo]

I actually finished all of my Christmas shopping before the end of October! lol I also have my two oldest kids' Birthdays on Dec. 12th & 15th, so I finished up the shopping for that, as well, except for getting a Walmart gift card for my son because he is extra difficult to buy for Wrapping will be the most difficult part...I usually put stuff in leftover food boxes like crackers, cereal, just so when they unwrap it they are like "HUH?!!"

What an awesome idea, leftover food boxes like crackers, cereal, for gifts. I'll try that this year for the person's name I draw at Thanksgiving!

 

[veer]

No, and every year I promise myself to start on time, but I just can't seem to do it.

 

[faerywings]

No, and every year I promise myself to start on time, but I just can't seem to do it.

Don't beat yourself up. "Back in the day" when the kids were little, I would try to be close to finished before Thanksgiving (end of November). It seems to get harder and harder to find things/buy things/make things every year.

 

[Cherylndesigns]

I finished mine off last night - Can you say Amazon? I had some specific things I wanted to get for the guys and I knew I could find them on there.

Now, I have to decide what kind of bags to get - I'm definitely not wrapping anymore. I have a few different assortments saved. I need several different sizes.

 

[AK_Tracy]

Ive done the easy stuff. Officially marking grands off my to do list. Their fun little gifts are ordered. Birthday gifts are ordered. My cart is full of other peoples gifts just waiting for payday to hit purchase then we are done! Have to shop early to get things shipped in time. As is it will be approx 12-15 when things arrive.

 

[AK_Tracy]

Sitting at work with nothing to do, have my laptop and credit card......... Hello shopping!!! Almost done. Two more people to shop for and all done. Dinner for 12-24 planned and assigned tasks. 12-24 shirts arrived. Wine ordered. Just need to sit back and relax. Someone remind me how to do that please!!!

 

[AK_Tracy]

Now, I have to decide what kind of bags to get - I'm definitely not wrapping anymore. I have a few different assortments saved. I need several different sizes.

This is my favorite thing to do (besides cook) is wrap. I have 20 different papers, bows, ribbons, and homemade tags. I put a stupid Hallmark style Christmas movie on, kick everyone out of the livingroom and just have a moment with me, wine, wrapping paper and movie.

 

[Cherylndesigns]

Sitting at work with nothing to do, have my laptop and credit card......... Hello shopping!!! Almost done. Two more people to shop for and all done. Dinner for 12-24 planned and assigned tasks. 12-24 shirts arrived. Wine ordered. Just need to sit back and relax. Someone remind me how to do that please!!!

I got one more gift today - they're "stringing in" but just got a notice that two more are being delivered tomorrow. Now, I just have to figure out how I'm going to wrap - bags of paper????? Probably bags.