Let's hear how you're doing! How much shopping do you have done? How are the cards coming along? So far are you able to stay on track with your budget?

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I have all family gifts wrapped -- I had a day off with DS in school and thought I would take advantage to get gifts wrapped. We are travelling to my dad's house for Christmas, so I'm not going to wrap extended family gifts until I get downstate.

Card is done, I just have to print. This afternoon, I plan to address envelopes.

Shopping is done -- although I may take advantage of the Black Friday sales on printers. It will have to be an online special, because I'm not driving all of the way to town for one thing!

I have two recipes for the cookie swap, so I think I'm under control.

Tomorrow -- DS and I will decorate our gingerbread houses. I usually buy special candy for decorations, but this year, I'm going to use what we have around the house. I think it will be fun to see what we find to use! I have some stale frosted mini-wheats that I thought would make a great thatched roof!

I have been bringing out decorations a little bit at a time. I think I'll get out our nutcracker and snowglobe collections tomorrow too, and then get the tree out on Saturday.

That's where I am -- how's everyone else doing?

Marlene

I only have 3 more gifts to buy, and so far we are still on track with the budget. I tend to procrastinate when it comes to wrapping presents, but I hope to do better this year.

I've made it through my gift stash and only have to come up with a few things for the kids and something for my mom. A youth organization has offered to buy a few things for our family (we had a lot of medical expenses this year). So, I may use those for Santa gifts. Then, the kids are done. And, I can make something from my craft stash for mom. I need to finish a Christmas ornament for an ornament exchange as well. But, that shouldn't take long. I wrapped everything in recycled giftbags from last year as I was sorting. So, I'm in pretty good shape!

I used some of the coupon codes and account credits and was able to get nice photocards for only a couple of dollars. And, my aunt gave me a huge box of unused cards from past years that I can also use. Now, I just need to address cards, buy stamps and send.

We plan to begin decorating tomorrow!

We are in great shape budget-wise. I had a lot of freebies, samples, crafts and other gift items that I've been putting back since last year (because I knew this year would be tight). I've regifted a few things and used a lot of the lotions and things I had stockpiled. I had a couple of cute Liz Claiborne purses that looked like new, and my nieces will be getting them. DH and I won't be buying for each other this year.

The kids have also finished their annual homeschool Christmas project. They put together 8 boxes of toys, books, DVDs (the nicer things that were leftover from our yard sale) and stockpiled items (toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, etc.) for a family whose father abandoned them. I took pictures of them with the stuff that I'll try to post soon. Someone has already picked up the stuff and delivered it to the mother.

Amazingly, we are in great shape this year!

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Homeschooling Mom to Daniel (13 Years), Andrew (10 Years), Stephen (8 Years) and Emily (4 Years)

Getting on the wrapping and cards today <fingers crossed> I'll be mailing out of state gifts as soon as the rest get here

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I have about a dozen or so presents wrapped, and a few left to buy. I made a bunch of homemade Christmas cards at the end of last year and have yet to locate them! I'm working on that today! I would like to get them all addressed and signed!

- Photocards are ordered and should be ready to be picked up this weekend/early next week. Purchased stamps today.

- Halfway done shopping. Promised to take my aunt shopping. She's frail and the malls become overwhelming for her.

- Not decorated at all. Between everyone getting sick and 1/2 days for school conferences no time to house clean.

- No baking yet.

- Feel less stressed because I'm actually further ahead than usual. Will hopefully make it to my mother's next week to wrap my gifts.

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THAT is awesome, Angie! My kids are convinced that Santa won't come until they've helped those less fortunate. They usually bring me their stuff w/o being asked. Makes my heart happy!

Packages mailed, a few more will go out tomorrow. Cards, I'm stillll thinking about them. I need to get a move on. Budget is good and fudge is in the works.

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90% of gifts purchased and wrapped.

Remaining 10% on list to purchase.

Only package that needed mailing has been sent, and recipient emailed to warn them it was coming.

Tree up.

House decorations out.

Dh took advantage of 40+ degree weather over Tgiving weekend to put outside lights up.

Cmas newsletter has been printed, labels printed and put on envies, stamps applied. Photo has been ordered and received. Just need to fold newsletters, add pix, stuff envies, and mail.