| Christmas shopping - or lack of - sneaks up on me | | | | 7. Make an effort to throw a little something in the |
| every year, no matter how good my intentions. | | | | Food Bank Bin when you are out grocery shopping for |
| I am traditionally the original Scrooge at Christmas, the | | | | your family, or buy a little extra for the donation box at |
| stress and pressure to try to make everything nice | | | | the department store when you are out shopping for |
| and find the perfect gift idea gets to me before the | | | | gifts. |
| first ornament is out of the box, just the thought of it | | | | 8. Or buy some toys to donate to the local women's |
| usually makes me grumble. | | | | shelter, some of the people there don't have a penny |
| Sound familiar? | | | | to their names and it's a sad and stressful time for the |
| But this year I am kind of looking forward to it. Why? | | | | kids. Games and things to keep them busy are great, it |
| Because I'm doing Christmas gift giving a little | | | | can be a boring stay. |
| differently this year. | | | | A FEW GENERAL IDEAS |
| 1. Instead of trying to do too much, I am cutting back | | | | 1. Mystery Gift - My sister's family does a nice twist on |
| and am determined to enjoy the experience (dammit | | | | picking names. They all buy something wrap it and then |
| :0)). | | | | they each exchange a gift, no one knows ahead of |
| 2. We picked names this year for the adults in the | | | | time who will be receiving. They set a comfortable |
| family rather than each of us buying for all of us. I can't | | | | price limit. |
| tell you how much my stress level has already gone | | | | 2. Make a tradition of tree ornament crafts. You can |
| down, and I especially like it because now I have time | | | | give these for gifts, they are always well received and |
| to do something really unique for my father in law (he | | | | can be cheap to make, but very nice. Put your name |
| was my pick). | | | | and date on it and give one every year - a great |
| 3. Getting the jump on things in plenty of time. Gift | | | | present for the kids to give. Or take a short cut and |
| planning and some shopping was done in October by | | | | buy them at a craft sale and personalize them with |
| being on the look out when I was out shopping - I | | | | fabric paint or markers. |
| bought a few really cute things here and there. This | | | | 3. Give pictures in a unique way. Most relatives and |
| way instead of buying "en masse", I am picking | | | | friends will enjoy pictures. Do something creative - |
| something fitting for each recipient. | | | | make a tree ornament from a picture and a juice lid, |
| 4. Putting a limit on spending. As my sister said "I'm sick | | | | they are great. Or make a twig frame - cost is nothing |
| of the commercial crap of Christmas", and aren't we | | | | but a few twigs and some yarn plus the picture. If you |
| all. It isn't in how much we spend, a small, well thought | | | | get school pictures, you'll have plenty. With digital |
| out gift is better received than a large one that was | | | | cameras and software available now, you can do |
| obviously tossed in the cart with no forethought. | | | | some really nifty stuff for plenty cheapola. |
| 5. Decluttering - I've been working on decluttering so | | | | 4. Baking/Cooking etc. If you are wanting to do |
| that the decorations will look nice. If you can get going | | | | something nice for someone, why not cook them a |
| now, it will make Christmas even nicer when the time | | | | meal and take it to them? New mother's are especially |
| comes. The Christmas Spirit - Peace - Goodwill | | | | fond of this. When I first had my daughters, it was the |
| towards All - Love - They're all buzzwords and shiny | | | | best present that I received. Seniors will LOVE it if you |
| decorations that we hang on the wall at Christmas | | | | eat with them. |
| time - lets take the time to focus on what they mean - | | | | 5. A service. In our hussle and bussle world, don't be |
| and then do it. | | | | surprised if someone really appreciates an hour of |
| 6. How about making this the season to "Pay It | | | | your time - run some errands, give rides (parents can |
| Forward". These stories have made me cry sappy | | | | really enjoy this if they have older kids - most of them |
| tears more than once but I've never done it. Why not | | | | spend their spare time in their car!), help clean up, |
| give it a try? They have a fantastic website, if you | | | | declutter, clean something - use your imagination. |
| follow the links you can get some great ideas | | | | Another great gift that the kids can give as well. |
| I signed up for the "Be Nice or Else" newsletter - they | | | | Make an effort to be creative this year. It's more fun |
| have a book that is great for gift giving, what a great | | | | to give, and more fun to receive - and it can be easier |
| coffee table that would make - or a great book to | | | | on your pocket book too. |
| donate to a hospital for the waiting room. | | | | If you haven't yet, get out your planner or notebook, |
| NOTE: This page lists some great Christmas gift ideas, | | | | make a page for Christmas gift ideas and start |
| one of them being - clean someone's house. I will have | | | | brainstorming. |
| more on that later, but meantime, why not think about it | | | | Then make a date with yourself to clear some time |
| and brainstorm how you could make it happen. | | | | blocks to get it done. |
| I could think of no better gift! And it's cheap! | | | | And enjoy Christmas. |