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CTC Readers' Poll:
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"Living in the simple frugal
lifestyle, I really avoid the Christmas rush shopping. I shop thru the
year and pick up things on for my family for Christmas. I have 8
grandchildren to shop for and it can get expensive if you don't shop
thru the year. Also, another fun idea around the holidays is to gather
with your friends, family, church friends, whoever, and have a baking
day for Christmas goodies. Everyone brings their own supplies for
whatever they are going to make. We make candy, cookie and other
delicious treats. At the end of the day, we trade recipes and everyone
goes home with a goody basket. It is a wonderful way to spend they day
and I also try to have the baking day coordinate with deer hunting
season so my husband is not underfoot!" ~ Anonymous
"Yes, I can believe Christmas is
nearly here! I'm looking forward to it, too. To get ready, I am
finally completing my sorting of holiday decorations this fall.
I moved from a four-bedroom home in the suburbs to a one-bedroom condo
in a big city.
For the past couple of years, I've been taking the time to sort through all my decorations and pass along (to family, friends, and a senior community I've adopted) the ornaments, lights, etc. that I've enjoyed, but no longer need in such a small space. Some co-workers who are new homeowners, or new to the area, or new to living on their own have really enjoyed the 'free to a good home' boxes I've set up each of the past two Novembers. And I get a big kick out of knowing how much enjoyment a new owner/family has when they decorate. I've received pictures from family and friends, of 'my' decorations in their offices or homes. It took me a lifetime to collect
all those decorations and now that I'm nearly done editing what I'll
be keeping, I can anticipate the holidays for all the right reasons.
!Feliz Navidad!" ~ Sean "I prepare for Christmas all year in various ways. So far I have purchased inexpensive little gifts for my adult sons and husband as good ideas are found. One is even getting a jar of the preserves I made this summer. This year I am starting to phase out the expense of wrapping paper and ribbon by making fabric gift bags in holiday prints from yardage purchased on sale after last Christmas. Already all the purchased items are wrapped in custom made gift bags ready for name tags. Extra bags are being made as time permits including large fabric stockings as gift bags for variety. I plan to stitch some name tags in plastic canvas for gifts as this process of phasing out paper continues. These bags and tags will be reused in coming years. My elderly mother is confined to
a nursing home so her activities and needs are very limited. She
enjoys doing word search puzzles that help fill her long days and
keep her mind active. Using an online puzzle maker I created
personalized puzzles making a book for her last Christmas which she
cherished very much. Since that pleased her so much a new puzzle
book is in progress for this year. Also I am nearly done with a
stitched holiday wall-hanging intended for our guest room. Christmas
cards were recently purchased so are ready for addressing in plenty
of time for the holidays. Other projects are in the works as the
season approaches." ~ Charlotte, WV "I don't mean to sound like a Grinch, but we decided LONG ago not to go overboard on Christmas gifts. We splurge on each child's birthday, and use Christmas to focus on other people besides ourselves (give to charities, Angel Tree, Salvation Army, etc.). We still may give little 'stocking stuffer' gifts or a gift for the whole family (like a video or game). We tend to plan experiences (like sledding together, a trip, a movie, whatever) rather than gifts. Can you remember what you got for Christmas last year? Can you remember what you gave? Do you remember the feeling of the Visa bill arriving in January? What a waste of time and money to go into debt for things that do not last! Make a budget and stick with it. You will be glad you did. Teach your kids what's really important about Christmas by example." ~ Anonymous "I just bought several gifts for my son's Christmas (and birthday) at www.amazon.com 's outlet store. Almost everything I bought was on sale, and had free shipping. Everything has already been delivered, now I just have to wrap them!" ~ Julie "My husband loves the Christmas season so much, but I work full time at the post office, so I never have time to decorate the house the way I want to. So this year I budgeted my leave time so I can take the whole week of Thanksgiving off from work so I can spend that week getting ready for the holidays. I've never been able to do this before, so I am really excited. I can't wait to see his face! Also, I purchased practically all my gifts at the half-price sales last year. I feel like I really have a head start on keeping costs down this year." ~ Janice "I do most of my main Christmas shopping during after Christmas sales. Also, since we grow strawberries, I can jam in pretty jars with a Christmas ornament tied around each jar." ~ Anonymous "Every October I am in charge of a women's support group craft night. Throughout the year I am on the lookout for something for the women to make under $10, and that I would like to make and give as Christmas gifts. So I already have 6 gifts done for family and friends, and it is only October 16th! Having to plan in October for the support group gives me the needed push to get my gifts done." ~ Jerrylene "While my thoughts aren't original, they do help me. About the start of September, I start buying gifts for my husband's great nephews, ages 11, 9, and 6. I use 'percent-off' coupons and have the advantage of saving money and a good selection. I also do this with any other gift I can think of. My mom likes hummingbirds, so if I see a hummer throw or notepaper, I'll get it (and hope I remember where I put it! LOL) In the kitchen, I prepare things like frozen cookie dough, relishes, etc. -- anything that can be done ahead of time is so much easier and more pleasant than when December comes flying and free time has flown away, too." ~ Karen 'I like to crochet and make it a point not to make anything dorky or hokey that obligates my adult daughters to smile and say thanks when inwardly they're thinking, 'Ick!'. Last year about three days before Christmas I was in a craft store with an armload of yarn when an older (and obviously wiser) older lady commented, 'And you're going to make all that before Christmas, right?' It was hilarious! And I got none of it done. This year, to avoid icky, I crocheted Christmas stockings in summer and am now crocheting a tree skirt so my one daughter will have something special that says 'love and family' the last Christmas before she moves out of state. I've never made these before so starting early gave me time for lots of mistakes. I urge readers to start their yarn projects immediately, not to wait for the holiday season to begin." ~ Valerie "My kids are all grown but we live together in a big house to 'make it' for now. We don't have much money this year, so I have made up a game that will teach us material things aren't that important, togetherness and teamwork are -- without forgetting the reason for the season, of course. But we are using a real tree out of our yard and making lightweight ornaments..they have rules and there are some simple prizes, but the Grand Prize is that they have done it together and on a shoestring." ~ Carla, Rolla MO
"Preparation for
Christmas starts back in January! I made a list of
all the people I will be sending gifts to and attached
a dollar amount next to each name. I have gathered
a number of gifts so far. I will be sending homemade
food gifts to some of my recipients and will start purchasing
ingredients for them now as I find them on sale. I
find that making a 'dry' type of trail mix works great
and you do not have to worry about spoilage or breakage
during shipment. I can make an abundance of this
and pack in pretty tins I have picked up at thrift
stores during the year. I keep the ingredients to about
four items to save money.
I also make my own
Christmas cards from old cards I keep from year to year.
I cut off the front picture and glue to a slightly
larger piece of colored construction paper to make a 'frame.'
I then sometimes decorate them with one or two pretty
sequins to 'jazz them up' and place in an
envelope. Sometimes you can get envelopes from friends
if you ask, or from packages of stationery from thrift
shops. Some card shops will sell you extra envelopes for
a nickel apiece. This really is a fun project for
your kids to help with....I usually have enough to last
several holidays once I get started!
The cards are 'postcard' style so I just write a simple note on the back. I have received many compliments from people as they are unique and personal. As a note, use a simple glue stick to attach to the paper so it will not 'bubble.' I ask friends for their old Christmas cards....why not? Most likely they are going to throw them away!
I also start wrapping my
gifts before Thanksgiving. I might not get all of them
complete but at least I have started. I also address
Christmas cards as early as October. I do not seal them
until I mail them in case I have to attach a note.
Purchase stamps early to save time at the post office.
When Thanksgiving is late in November I mail all my
packages the day before Thanksgiving! No lines and a lot
less stress!" ~ Janice
Editor's Note: Thanks to all these readers who took time to write! |
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