Six Months Until Christmas
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As we calm down from the Fourth of July festivities, a new thought begins to loom in my brain. I can already hear it in my head, "Six months until Christmas." Just what you wanted to hear, right?
Well, the frugal woman in me has to think early. In fact, I am sometimes the crazy lady ripping apart the Christmas displays the day after Christmas. I am always trying to outdo myself from the years before, but not in the way most people do. No, I am always trying to lower my budget, each year meticulously charting how we are doing and trying to make the gifts a little more memorable while spending a little less.
What am I planning on doing and making this year?
Working on our Christmas Countdown- This requires me to have an eye out each time I am thrift shopping to look for books to complete our countdown to Christmas. I stash these away for the big unveiling in December.
Recipe Research- Each year we do a box of goodies for the most special people in our life and I like to start looking through my recipes and put together one or two new recipes to make these little treat boxes shine. I did get the boxes and ribbon on clearance at the end of season, but I will still need to plan what is inside. I also look for recipes for hostess gifts and dishes that can be taken to all of the family functions.
Photo Gifts- I do a photo album for the grandparents each year and I have already started compiling the pictures to include. I started a little file on the computer and have been dumping pictures into that when I get some really good shots of the kids. I think I may make a photo DVD this year to send to them and set it to music.
Handmade Goodies- I have been knitting up a storm for birthdays so I am going to try to put together a few knitted goodies away for hostess gifts and teacher gifts this year. My husband is worried that I am going to only hand out scarves this year, but I think I am a little more inventive than that.
Passionate about having a handmade Christmas this year? Why not sign a commitment that you will only buy handmade and support the efforts of all of those amazing craftsters out there?
Do you start early with your Christmas shopping and crafting? What are some projects you are working on?
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10 Responses to “Six Months Until Christmas”
July 8th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Hottest dog days in August usually find the kids and me in the cool basement with a fan going, searching through the Autumn and Christmas decorations AND previous years’ home decor idea mags (which I store by season, not chronologically).
I make a list the previous January when packing away, so we note anything needed: tablecloths, twinkle lights,baking supplies–for shopping at season’s end yard sales, (which go into October up here).
deb meyers
July 8th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I pick up things all year long for stockings and such. And if I find something on a great clearance that someone I know will like I pick it up as well. This year I will be making all of our Christmas Cards from recycled old Christmas Cards that were sent to us in the past few years. I need to get started working on those.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I do start thinking early. Usually before Christmas is over I’ve already found some ideas for the next year. I really need to look over what I’ve compiled so far, and get busy. Thanks for the reminder!
July 9th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Those little odds and ends of gum and such that make up CVS and/or Walgreen’s deals have been going into a stack for an Operation Christmas child box. I also regularly check the dollar section at Target for this and for stocking stuffers (a puzzle there this week will be great for my 2-1/2-year-old at Christmas). I also try to check in at http://www.organizedchristmas.com once a month — they post preparation ideas every 25th.
I don’t think I’ll achieve my ultimate organizing/Christmas goals this year (too much on the plate), but I do hope to keep improving every year!
July 10th, 2008 at 12:08 am
I shop and craft a bit year-round, but usually around the midpoint I get more into it.
This year I am working on:
-Scrapbooking my own 12 month calendars (got the blank calendars from Target’s dollar bins)
-Scrapbooking little recipe books with my favorite (and infamous) dishes
-Canning homemade salsa to pack up with a gift basket with a chips/salsa server dish
And I always keep an eye out for nice hardcover books, cookbooks, and children’s board books throughout the year. They make great gifts as well.
July 13th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I have started my Christmas knitting … and have stashed:
* 1 pair socks
* 1 hat
* 1 scarf
I’m currently working on a pair of cotton/bamboo socks for a friend who has genuine wool allergies. I’m not enjoying the splitty yarn, though.
July 15th, 2008 at 10:35 am
What a great article! I’m starting a “Christmas in July” blog series as a part of my “Thinking Ahead Thursday” blog day on this Thursday, July 17. Please come over and add your link! I can’t wait to read more!
July 15th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I successfully made a bed pocket (one of those things you stick under a mattress, and the pocket part hangs over the side for you to put books in) to bring with me to youth camp this year. Because that turned out well, I’ve bought fabric ($1.99/yard!) to make bed pockets for my nieces. I’ve already bought books for each of their pockets, and I still need to find small flashlights for each girl.
I’ll probaby make some notecards for my mom and sister. I’ll need to start on that soon.
While this isn’t a craft, I likely will give my dad a Starbucks gift card that I can get free by using the points on my credit card. With having our roof and gutters recently replaced, we’ve built up a lot of points on there! (All paid off, of course. Insurance is a lifesaver!) Free stuff for spending money on things we have to buy/pay for anyway is a good thing!
July 21st, 2008 at 8:26 am
[...] very own Amy kicked off the Christmas In July crusade at Frugal Hacks and assembled a great idea list at [...]
August 13th, 2008 at 4:20 am
[...] Frugal Hacks: Six Months Until Christmas [...]
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