Any chance that Christmas will be rough or scaled back for many of us this year? I'm thinking it will be wise to plan ahead, just in case.

This is garage sale season. There are lots of bargains out there and it pays to think about your Christmas gift list while browsing. Some items that people are selling at garage sales aren't even used.

Secondly, there are two on-line places I look at everyday. One is woot.com and the other is 1saleaday.com. They have daily specials. Some are worth it. Some aren't. I tend to stay away from the refurbished items. However, if you have a techie on your gift list, you might happen across a really neat gift. Many items are 1saleaday are free. You just pay for shipping.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

Great ideas.

Also check out consigment stores. I've found toys in the original packaging that I have given as presents.

Keep an eye on clearance and end of season clearance items also.

You can usually find some great deals on end of season gardening things as well.......those clearance pots can easily be filled w/a xmas cactus for a small gift,and they usually only cost $2-$4

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I am going to start looking for Christmas items next month. Thanks for the links!

I will begin all my Christmas sewing in July/August. Last year our Christmas was 80% handmade. This year I'm upping the bill to 90% handmade.

I sew and am very crafty so I'll be using these skills of mine again this year. My dh enjoys this as it's far less money but way more time for me. He does have a great opinion on how something should look, therefore if I need a tip or two he'll jump right in. However lastyear I didn't grab enough items on sale/clearance and ended up crossing some stuff off my list.

I will be going to goodwill and yard sales and picking up baskets for the gift baskets I'm making family members from all handmade/homemade products. Kohls has really nice Christmas sales and I usually grab a few items from there for DH's stocking. He enjoys handmade/homemade as well but he does have a few "needs" this year.

I still have some cute little slippers for a small child I got at Old Navy for $2. I picked up the LARGE jarred candles from Kohls that are $9.99 for $3.50/ea. I picked up 5 and have 3 remaining. As I used them as gifts for people through-out the year. Just a few days ago I picked up bottoms for my dd's that were originally $4.50/ea for $1.00/ea. I will be returning to get my niece a few pairs and add some appliques to them and make her an outfit for under $2!

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Happily married to my geek
Proud homeschooling, cloth diaperin, attached parenting, slinging, simplier, breastfeedin, sewing mama mades, christian and funky mama

I am with SouthernMama now is the time to start my Christmas knitting if I am going to get anything made in time.
I think that time spent on a gift is more important then money spent.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

I am going to make a fun, small scrapbook for my mother and each of my siblings of our family vacation together this year. I agree about the time spent and making gifts meaningful. Too bad DH's family doesn't feel this way LOL!

I def. need to start real soon. My second baby is coming the beginning of December and there is no way im gonna wanna do much xmas shopping at that time. Keep the ideas coming!! Thanks!!!

I can't remember which forum it was in - one of the craft one and people were already talking about things they were going to make. I am knitting an afghan for MIL - not cheap but since I bought the yarn 2 years ago - was supposed to be for last Christmas it will be cheap LOL. I really don't think it is too early to start looking for bargains. I bought a few things for DS's stocking at Target in their $1 section. I plan on scaling way back this year as DS already has way more toys and craft items that he needs. I am trying to come up with ideas for other relatives though - those that don't really need anything - I don't want to add to their clutter and am sick of giving gift cards - but thinking back we end up returning anything that isn't a gift card anyways - such a pain having to return stuff we buy older relatives after Christmas. I know they love photos so I may just try to do a gift card and a mini scrapbook - tons of work but hopefully I can use supplies I have already purchased.

I am working on new cookie receipes. I love to bake so this one is right up my alley.

I also am shoping sales and always keeping my eyes open, you never know what you will find.

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