Have you started your Christmas shopping

amanelle · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 347 Location: NC

Only six more months until Christmas. Have you started on your Christmas list? I tend to start a little early. My husband always picks on me for it.

I've got a few ideas for presents, but I haven't bought anything yet. I did start on a chenille blanket I'm making for Mom.

mishapville · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 46 Location: Providence, RI

I've ordered some yarn for some christmas projects - I'm not going through another week of frenzied sock knitting like last year! I'm doing it months ahead of time. Yup.

brdgt · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:25 pm Post subject:

I've started to think about what I should be buying yarn and other supplies for. I try to start on the big stuff by August!

smachel · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 305 Location: kentucky

haven't even thought about it yet.

xuli · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:40 pm Post subject:

I, um, have a box full of things I've knitted (scarves, cell phone cozies, etc.) that I like to have on hand and give as gifts to less-close friends I'm expected to give gifts to but don't have a strong connection with. I've been adding to that one steadily.

I really hope it's not rude of me to do that. In some ways I feel like the whole Christmas thing gets really out of hand; I resent having to buy gifts for people like whatever girl my brother happens to be dating, and I don't particularly enjoy getting impersonal gifts from them either. I'd rather not give gifts from a lot of people or give them anything, but until that becomes social acceptable, I do it this way.

njcsparkles · Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 4 Location: England, UK

I have to say that I started on my Christmas projects...way back in January! This year I want to have a totally hand crafted Christmas, and I decided that rather than leave them and feel rushed, I would take time over the year to really enjoy knitting, sewing, crocheting, gluing sticking and crafting!

This is the first time I have admitted to this one in public!

Miss M · Joined: 12 May 2004 Posts: 168 Location: Plano, TX

hmmmm....haven't started, but now I'm thinking I should! Thanks for giving me the kick in the pants I needed! I always wait until like November and the go bezerko because there is no time even though I know someone will gift me with something absolutely beautiful and I'll have zero for them. Wonder why I do that anyway?

Now, what to make.........

By the way xuli- nothing wrong with your box o' knitted treats - it's called planning ahead & being prepared. And I think a handmade gift is a very very nice thing to give "less-close friends", etc. You should be proud of yourself that you are smart enough to make these gifts each year instead of panicking & running to the store and buying something at the last minute. Not that I'd know anything about that! :)
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CraftinFool · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 809 Location: New England

Xuli, I don't think it's inappropriate to do that at all, I do the same - for ex I pick up used or cheap books in excellent condition to have on hand.

Honestly, as a gift getter I'd far prefer something personal and creative like a homemade hot sauce, plant cuttings, or a collage, than an expensive bought gift - but a lot of folks feel differently.

I also get frustrated with how xmas gifts get out of hand. It's the worst within my immediate family! A few of my friends and I have decided to just exchange cards, and it's amazing how relieved we both were to do it. I always tell them, "This doesn't mean I don't love you to pieces, it just means I'm broke."

lizzymahoney · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 804

I tend to bestow things all year round. I don't give gifts per se, but will plant a new tree at my sister's house or bring over something I've made. I'll find things at thrifts that I think of for someone else and just present them.

For Father's Day, I just bought and cut a large piece of denser foam for my Dad's favorite chair, then recovered the cushion. No card, no wrapping, no sappy sentiment. Just a "oh, by the way..." moment.

I have some Christmas gifty items stockpiled, mostly stuff I need to embellish. For instance these seasonal candle kits that need a little more oomph: I'll probably change up the platter, add a decorated matchbox, make a few picks with silk flowers or with real pinecones and stuff, then rebox and give to whomever.

I had made some of Crafty Chica's painted flowerpot candle holders and my sister came down for a memorial service. I told her to take what she wanted and she cleaned me out. They were really cute, but like two matching pairs and five random with totally different styles. Knowing her, she will probably give them to her teacher friends at the school where she works. Whatever.

Every kick I get on about making certain kinds of things for Christmas doesn't last long. I'll do it partway, then get bored. Often I have a dozen or so cookie varieties made that I can wrap at the last minute for parties. But the year I wanted to make truffles and put them in Christmas themed mugs wrapped in colored cellophane with a sprig of holly and a cinnamon stick? I sold the mugs at a garage sale and ate most of the truffles myself.

Oh, I'm an atheist who will say that I am saving the rainforest by not sending cards, but it's really because I can't be bothered with the shallow sentiment at only one time a year. If you can't respond to my occasional emails, cousin, why should I care about sending or receiving a christmas card from you?

Signed,
The Grinch

jasmineT · Joined: 19 May 2004 Posts: 82 Location: upstate

lizzy- we did that with truffles too!

I've started scouring dollar and thrift stores for stuff to make.So far I've scored sets of cross stichable tea towels at the dollar tree, cool fabric for purses at the thrift store, and frames for quilt squares at big lots.

After my daughter's birthday party this weekend I'll start on some of them ;) yeah...right
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smudgy_cat · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 346

I'm in the process of moving and reorganizng, and I've found lots of things that I set aside for christmas crafts. Here's my list of ideas:

-strawberry jam in mason jars (whole new set bought at goodwill for $3)
-glass ornaments, decorated, somehow (any ideas? I have glass paint and acrylic paints, but I did those styles 2 years ago. I also did the melted snowman, so I can't redo that)
-fancy glass ornaments painted with glass paint for people who appreciate things I make
-4 ornaments that have years on them for the little kids in my life. i might do felt and embroider them. I got the supplies last december, but never got around to it.
-raggedy ann dolls from some yardage from joannes
-cute, 1 yard fabric aprons
-flannel pajama pants for sister or parents (serger is being fixed as I type)
-3 batches of different types of lye based soap. this is my easy version of christmas cookies. i make a bunch of batches in summer and then tie them up in bundles in december. this is my generic gift

I don't really do presents for people. I don't do cards either. I keep meaning to, but I never get around to it. The gift giving in my family has gotten insane, and it no longer held joy for me. It was just a 'give me something off my list, and i'll give you something off your list' event that seemed really emotionless to me. Plus, it pissed me off that my handmade gifts were tossed aside and essentially ignored.

Last year, my bf and I made candy for everyone. The idea was good in theory, but hell in practice. We made brittle, truffles, 2 kinds of bark, and haystacks. It sucked, and I'm never repeating it for such a large gift list.

twilight · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 330 Location: New Mexico

I started a few months early last year and still felt rushed. So this year I'm also making throughout the year. I'm also going thru my clutter and passing on good books I think friends would like to read.

None of my relatives live in New Mexico so when all else fails I just buy them some local art or something that's a traditional decoration from this area.
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melmelon · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 38

I am aiming for a handcrafted Christmas, myself.....but we shall see how that goes. Since we are flying out to Alberta, I am planning on taking the makings to "spa baskets" for the women folk....maybe make the soap and bath bombs here, and just take some recipes for sugar scrubs, etc, pick up a few baskets/bags and do the rest while there. I am also planning on doing some handmade paper and other little crafty things I can do in short amounts of child free time. anyone got any ideas for me they'ld be willing to share?
I am leaning more towards the evil gift certificate for all the far away relatives (well, all the relatives) since its so hard to buy for those who don't really appreciate the effort....or whatever, of handmade/homemade.
I also tell people that I would rather they make the kids something instead of going to a bloody store and dropping thoughtless money on them....I know.. I'm rude, but if it bothers them so much they can just skip it altogether and I will be even happier.

amanelle · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 347 Location: NC

Most of the time at Christmas I just give little things like cookies. I really like finding gifts that I know people will like. This is reserved for my parents and husband. I don't want to just buy them something, it has to having meaning. Like for Father's day, my original present didn't work out. When Starsky and Hutch came out I saw it with my Dad. In the movie they drive a Torino, my Dad will go on and on about the Torino he used to have. I found a Starsky and Hutch T shirt that had the Torino on it. I knew he'd like it. I wouldn't have gone out and just bought him a T shirt. I'm not religious so I don't celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, but I celebrate it as a family holiday.

favorgrl

deborahthecraft · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 364 Location: California

Ive got a list and am compleating about 3 a month and checking them off as they go into the bin.
I'm so excited that I'll even have time to craft for some of my friends this year(last year I couldn't get to them for lack of time and $ for supplies)
I LOVE wrapping gifts so that's what I'll get to take my time on in December!