do my christmas shopping EARLY

Buying gifts early does no good if you misplace them by the time Xmas comes around…

Good thing my mom’s isn’t something she can use until summer anyway.

Overall, I think I did get this mostly done…cutting out gifts to certain people was certainly a help, as well as then making quite a few (albeit at the last second).

I always try to get my shopping done before Thanksgiving. Sales? Who cares.
For me it’s all about no pressure, no stress and being able to sit back and enjoy December.
I still shop yes, for myself and if I see something while I’m out that someone else might like, sure I pick it up but if something were to happen and I couldn’t get out in December, no one on my list would go without.

I think I have every one covered, or at least the idea of what Im doing if I haven’t done it already. A few friends and I decided to just have a nice dinner together instead of gifts, so that helps…and I whipped out my sewing machine today and am going to see if my next idea pans out the way I want it to. What does early mean? Um…how about December 16, that Sunday two weeks before Christmas. I’ll consider that early (really, that is…I mean, two weeks left to go? That’s earlier than normal for me, that’s for sure)

I usually get him a specific thing each year, and I put my order in now so it will be here in a month or two. I’m finding it’s easier for me to think of things, but what I’m really appreciating is only spending a little each paycheck.

overall, I find myself doing this with all gifts, really. I stocked up on birthday and event cards again, and even today I ordered a birthday gift early so I can mail it out to someone before they move and have a mysterious address again. I even have my anniversary gifts ready to go (impressive for me, as I don’t have a car and have trouble getting someplace to do this nonchalantly)

It’s a free gift if I give money to some charity, but I think she would like it, so I’m going to spring on it. The only thing that makes me hesitate is thinking about being on their mailing list for the rest of my life…

But I think getting a start on this Christmas shopping while I see the idea is worth it.

For whatever reason, I started thinking about cross stitching. I liked it as a kid, and I wonder if I could find something that wasn’t so grandma looking. So I googled “modern cross stitch” and I found this awesome website that sells ART DECO cross stitch patterns. Has anything ever been cooler? I just love the very odd mix of cross stitching with something as cool as art deco…just seems to not mix. So I ordered the kit and if it turns out cool, I’m going to make a couple for some friends that I just see really appreciating something as random as that.

with this pair of sandals I saw in a catalog…I know my mom would love them. It’s only July, but then I figured, why not start now? This year especially, I don’t have a car. I take public transportation, so I’m not able to just run out quickly when I think of something…especially when thinking about my husband, I’m going to have to be sneakier.

So anyway, I have a few ideas in mind for some hard to shop for ladies, but I’m going to try and work on this for all my friends and relatives (helps cash wise too…spend $20 every week until then instead of dropping it all at the last minute).

It was as simple as starting in november. I’m done and its not even december yet. I still have one or two gifts to finish up, but now i know i have enough time to save up some extra money and i know exactly what i’m going to get! Plus i avoided holiday rushes and mark ups! whee!

i absolutely hate christmas shopping!! and i think it is so sad that so many places and people have turned it into such a commercialized holiday:( i try so hard to teach my children that christmas is NOT about toys and santa and lil elves, but everytime they turn around what do they see?!? but ill just continue talkin til some of what i say sinks in and hopefully they will get the right message…and appreciate that much more the gifts they do receive