I am really enjoying all of the ideas y'all are giving!!! We too do the 3 wise men gifts, but haven't stuck to it like we should have. This year we will have to. I quit a ft job to go back to nursing school, so we are going to have to get creative. Christmas is our favorite time of the year and we really just enjoy all the decorating and baking, although for the last few years we haven't got to really do all the things that we would like to have done. This year I am hoping that it will be different.

I really want to stick to consumable gifts for parents, teachers, etc. Like cookie mixes, soup mixes, breads, scrapbooking stuff for those who do that. Things that people are going to use, not sit on a shelf or in a drawer. I really liked the gift basket suggestions that were mentioned. Sometimes I just can't think past the "old" ways, and get in the "new", non clutter way of thinking. I hope to get past that this year.

Hi there - Historically, I stocked up on Christmas gifts for the kids at rummages. However, I was too good at it (or bad at it, depending on how you look at it) and when I would pull all the stuff out about a week before Christmas, I would realize that the kids were getting too much- I forgot what I had purchased. Although I didn't spend alot, it was still "too much". This year, I am going to wait until about two monthes before the holiday and set a firm limit on spending, and ask them specifically what they want. I do like the idea of one thing to read, another to wear, another to eat and one to play with - that is cool. For the niece and nephew I was going to get them a CD - like something from "Adventures in Odessey" - my kids live them and it will be something they will enjoy for years to come. My sister was super smart last year and bought my daughter a magazine subscription to "Your Big Backyard" - she loves that too! My kids are learning the real meaning on Christmas, however, I would like to back this up with less " things"so that we can really drive the message home!

I shop yr round for xmas gifts. I put those items into a box and make a spreadsheet for myself on the computer on what Ive bought for whom. (That way I dont forget)

I print out the list and add to it when I shop.

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www.myspace.com/sassy143


Alex & the spider monkey

I saw this in one of the posts and wondered about it. Can someone explain what the 3 wise man Christmas is?


Thanks,

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Amanda

The three wisemen brought three gifts to baby Jesus when he was born. The idea is that three gifts were good enough for Jesus, so why not everyone else? You only give each child three gifts.


I like the idea of the movie gift baskets. I think I'll try that this year using Netflix gift cards in place of the movies, that way I don't have to wonder whether they'll enjoy the movie.

Here's more gift basket ideas: http://www.allthingschristmas.com/basketideas.html

Another great item my family enjoys in a coffee gift basket is chocolate spoons (http://organizedchristmas.com/recipe29.html)

Getting my dd a cell phone was the best thing I have done. I bought her a cheap pre paid one at first. I should have checked around the rates were high. She did great on her minutes and I didn't have to worry about her being able to reach me. Pay phones are rare.
For her birthday last week I upgraded to a flip phone with wallpaper, real music ringtones and a camera. I found with t-mobile it isn't as expensive as you think. If she doesn't do her chores it is taken away. If she blows her minutes text messaging she has to do extra chores to earn more minutes. And it is better than a belly button piercing ouch!

I use to go all out amount the number of presents. I am with you when it comes to being useful. I am getting my dd a sewing machine. She wants to be a designer and I figure she will be able to make her own clothes. For my ds I like science gifts or knex. Something that can be re used. I am getting him a nintendo ds. I chose this because my friend's son has one. Then they can share games. After they both have finished them we can exchange them for a new game at our local cd/ game exchange. A never ending gift.
The 3 year old you could put a small toy in a box of bubble wrap. My kids still fight over bubble wrap!
The 1 year old I would go with a character blanket or a plush animal. Do they still make the ones that light up as a night light?
As for the 10 year old is that a girl or boy? If it is a girl I'd go with the clothes, hair items things. If you watch Claires in the mall right now they usually have clearance racks to get ready for Christmas. MAny times they will have 20 items for 10.00 or 10 items for 10.00. I bought my dd all the pirates of the caribbean stuff for her stocking. If one Claire's doesn't have the sale, many times another will. Happy Shopping.

Glad I am not the only one who thinks about x-mas early. I have a set budget. I spend $50 on nieces and my nephew (I like spoiling kids), 100 or DD for gifts from Mom and dad, 100 for santa gifts, 75 on Dh and he get 75 for me, 30 for sibs, 30 for parents, 10 for god parents. So everyone has a budget and I have a spread sheet to keep track.

This year I am planning on giving some kitchen gadgets as gifts. I have a friend who just started her direct sales taste of home party buisness. I am hosting a party because I really want to get 50% off a panini grill and I figured I could use the hostess discount to get some nicer kitchen entertaining stuff for family. I normally don't do parties but I was really impressed with how much I loved everything in the catalog.

As for the kids I like shopping early though I typically start in october It helps spread the holiday expences over several months. I will buy my kids used toys for gifts, I want to get DD a play kitchen and if I can find a nice one used I will get it.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

I'm also a mom of 4 girls (8, 11, 16, 19). Always looking for cute, cheap, fun ideas. One that my girls thought was so cool. I wrap up a box of their favorite breakfast cereal (it's become a tradition). Also I bought a certificate for a free movie rental and put it in a gift bag together with their favorite candy/candy bar, drink and popcorn. I give certificates to the younger two for 'extra computer time', 'no cleaning days', '1/2 hour later bedtime'. For the older 16 yr old, extra 1/2 hour added to curfew. And for my sloppy 19 yr old, a 'free room-cleaning from mom'. They all think these are cool and can't wait to use them.

I started thinking about Christman 2007 before Christmas 2006 was really in the books. We began getting 20.00 gift certificates every week. I figure by the time I really need to start shopping I will have close to 800.00 (i usually star in October). It may not cover everything, but I will be further ahead this year than ever before. I buy them if we are at the store for another reason, and have yet to make a seperate trip. I really hope it works out.