Has christmas started for you yet?

[kelly ann]

I am curious to know if anyone has started saving or buying things for Christmas yet? With only 6 months to go, Christmas will soon be on our doorstep again.
I started saving back in february so by Christmas, hopefully I should be okay to buy things without having to worry about the cost.

Anyone have any tips for making Christmas a little easier on the purse?

[Billy Battles]

No I usually start in September

[Sunshine73]

Like you, I start buying early so the expense is spread out over the course of the year instead of concentrated in a couple of months. I find that if I'm always on the look-out for Christmas gifts, I can get some amazing deals...last year I was able to buy Cherished Teddy Christmas figurines for only $3 a piece at the local Hallmark shop during our town's 'Christmas in July' event. Some of those pieces were originally priced at $65 - $70 so it was a HUGE savings and they made great gifts!!!

Also, I budget for Christmas the same way I budget for my car insurance...I take a bit out each month to cover the expense. Although, I admit that I'm a bit worried about Christmas this year since my DH just lost his job...but I'm hopeful he'll find something soon and it won't impact our Christmas season.

[yuletide]

Right about now I get serious. The Qvc Christmas in July thing is my "official" kickoff. I found some things back in Feb. at Dunkin donuts. They had ornaments in little boxes(donut ones) and they were marked down to like 60 cents. I bought a dozen and I'm thinking of pairing it with a bag of dunkin donuts coffee or a dd gift card. What do you think? Does it sound dumb?
thanks
yuletide

[irishgirl]

Yuletide- What a great idea!!! I think that is awesome.. something fun and useful!!!

I have started. I can't help myself. I can't afford to do it all at once so I have to spread it out..

Merry Christmas. I am so in the spirit:))

[DoubleA]

Well our local Hallmark is going out of business so I picked up some invatations, ornies and some other little things on a good deal. Other then that I try to wait.

[bastones]

Yeah, I don't really buy anything until Christmas time (december) as that's usually where you can find the best deals... :) but I'm always in the Christmas spirit!

[hollybow]

I like homemade things...and it doesn´t cost a fortune..like making pillowcases from christmas fabric..there are a lots of patterns in the internet.. for vintage christmas lovers.. you can also make tablerunners or placemats with little effort... or making an own book.. with added photos.. I once made a personal cookbook for a friend..at our local shops it only costs 15 -20€ for 70 pages and it has a hard cover.. you can personalize it the way you want..like holiday photos...recipes.. you name it.. wrap it and put a cookie cutter in the bow...you can even make you own christmas book.. :snowball:

[kerst]

Summer is the time for flea markets here. I'm buying a bunch of pretty cups and saucers (they hardly cost anything) and then I make candles in them. That will be one of my gifts this year.

[bastones]

Might make something with holly this year, I generally don't make anything myself so I buy stuff from stores, but I'd like to... what sort of things can you make with it?

[Aggy]

I have been shopping since the beginning of the year. I have six nieces and nephews so I started with the stocking stuffers for them. I like to hit the stores for their after holiday sales (Valentine's, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, etc.) and pick up some really nice things to put in their stockings. Plus each month I try to get at least two gifts for the people on my gift list. I have quite a large list (lOl) so starting early works out for me. Plus as Christmas draws closer I don't have to spend that much time out shopping and can just relax and enjoy each moment of the holiday season.

[SparkleNana]

I also think the Dunkin' Donuts ornament plus gift card is a GREAT idea! Cute and different! I also buy gifts year round. I get exhausted shopping, and have bought some bizarre gifts when exhausted. I do much better by shopping thoughout the year when I'm not tired.

I also try to be caught up - or ahead - on utility bills. So January isn't such a shock!

[girlsinmo]

Here is how I'm saving:

I will save at least one quarter a day toward Christmas.

I will save at least one dime a day toward a holiday coming up. At the moment I'm saving my dimes for avacation.

I will save at least one nickel a day for Halloween.

Each denomination of coins will have their own decorated(hopefully lol) container. Now this might not sound like much to some folks. Bt it is a attainable goal to me.

I will also be adding bills as I have them to the containers. I plan on putting the money in the containers and forgetting about it.

[SparkleNana]

Aggy - you summarized the reasons for starting shopping early in a beautiful way! Girlsinmo - what a nice idea for saving money!!!

Yes, Christmas has started for me. But I am really looking forward to "Christmas in July" over at the sister site, Magical Holiday Home!!!

[thedementedelf]

Christmas has definitly started for me. With hosting a show on MCR, and I've been working on my dislpay since Febuary. I don't the lights sequenced to the music so I keep Christmas active all year.

[Aggy]

July 1st kicks off 'Christmas in July' celebration over at MHH. I have a lot of things I hope to get done by month's end. I have a few projects like homemade Christmas cards, ornaments, an advent calendar, etc. Some will are gifts others are decorations for my place. I brought my planner to work with me today to go through and update some things. I will be carrying it with me from now til the holidays. I have everything in my book - budget, gift list, shopping list, craft ideas, holiday menus, cookie recipes, you name it, it's in there.

[KarenKringle]

I definately have started shopping. Especially for my twin 4 year old Goddaughters. I have found a lot of buy one get one free items at Toys R Us and other shops. I find that shopping early really eases my holiday stress and lets me enjoy my holiday a lot more!

[Twinkle]

Over a year ago I joined a bank saving program called Keep The Change..it's with Bank of America. Everytime I use my debit card, the transaction change is rounded off to the next dollar and the change goes into a savings account. It has already accumulated to $450.00 and the best part is, I don't even miss it.

[Aggy]

Twinkle I'm with BOA too. Actually it's because I work for them parttime as a proof operator. I joined the Keep The Change too. It is a great way to save money.

[KareninMO]

I am starting to get into the Christmas spirit. I'm stitch the second of 2 small christmas themed pieces that I'm thinking of finishing into ornaments and when I stopped by my local Hallmark store the other day the Collector's Ornament catalog was out so I picked one up.

Once I see the actual ornaments in the store I know I;ll really start to get into the spirit of the season. Who cares that it only July and its a 100 degrees in the shade! (LOL)

[reindeerelf]

Last night I watched the TSO DVD and this morning I started e-searching for ornaments for gifts for special people so.... I guess thy Season is underway.

[christmascreations]

I'm pretty good at starting early. I buy TONS of good stuff on clearance!!! Most gifts are purchased between Black friday and After Christmas Sales!!!! I do get little gifts here and there on clearance throughout the year but those gifts are mostly used for birthdays and other special occasions more than used for Christmas gifts!!!

[delphiva]

I'm buying presents & ornaments all the year long. When I find THE great object, I buy it. It's useful for presents, as it's sometimes difficult to find ideas just before Christmas, and I spend less money in December ;-)

[Minta]

I started buying back in January and already have a couple totes filled with gifts. Picked up a few more over the weekend, Walmart had some decent movies for $4 & $5 each and picked up come cute books at the dollar store for the kids stockings. I normally have at least 1/3 of my shopping done by Sept. I do a bulk of my shopping on black friday too.

[Maureen]

I went out at lunchtime today with Christmas presents on my mind and the money and inclination to buy them!!!!

Came back with 3 tops for me - but hey, at least I'm getting in the mindset, right??!!!!

Okay, I'll leave.......

[jody664]

I definitely start planning during the summer. This summer, in particular, I'm extra excited. I moved into a new home this Spring and I've been trying to decide where to put the tree, etc.

I usually don't start buying presents until closer to Christmas. I have 4 nieces and nephews, and a lot of times they are "into" something during the summer but aren't as interested in it come fall and winter. So I kind of wait until October/November and see what the "fad du jour" is before I start shopping.

[SparkleNana]

Maureen, cheers for you for finding three great tops for yourself! I think one of the best parts of preparing for Christmas early is - being able to pick up fabulous bargains for ourselves too! We NEED to keep ourselves happy and energized and full of good spirits! Just keep going! Those great Christmas gifts will appear in time too!

I am "in the Christmas spirit" here - talking happily away with other people who love Christmas. (Eveen though it is "ideal heat stroke" weather outside -- i.e. very very hot!

[Sweet_Pea1992]

I always try to pick up things through out the year. It makes it so much easier when the holidays are upon us. I have about 6 or so gifts put away. I am also making little ornaments to put on the presents as a little extra gift.

This year will be much better, since I have my oldest daughter with me again. She lived in MI with her dad for the past 4 years and hasn't had a Christmas for that long. Long story that I won't go into!! lol So, I really want to get into the decorating and baking, and traditions again!! This year will be grand!!

[Head Elf]

I've started getting into the spirit of things with the QVC show. I picked out the wreath I want for the holidays and next month I will get ready to make my Christmas Cards. I have started to buy some presents and hide them. Christmas is coming!!!! Yeah!!!!

[Sweet_Pea1992]

I love QVC, but I tend to get into "loving" too many things there. So I really have to limit myself!!
Yes, Christmas is coming!!!!!!

[SparkleNana]

There is a very helpful post over at MagicalHolidayHome.com by "CEO". (If you don't know, CEO is a beloved goddess of Christmas organizing.) Anyway - the post explains the differences between some of the "Getting Organized For Christmas" plans which start in late August/early September. Of course, everyone's life is different. But some people have friends and/or relatives to their home around the holidays. And these "organizing plans" help you get ready before the last minute. For example, if you are having 8 relatives spend a week at your house -- you will want to do more organizing than someone who just has 3 people over for a drink before going out to dinner.

Anyway, thinking about these plans now - and reading CEO's post - help you figure out how to space out all the work so you don't go mad!!

[Lfisch]

I like to shop year round and get started on handmade gifts asap. We have so many craft fairs in our area from early spring to Christmas, there is always something for most everyone, or at least ideas of things I can make myself.

[novelist]

:tree:I have started some Christmas shopping. On the 4th of JUly, my husband I went shopping at the outlets here in CT. WE found so many great deals, too good to pass up, so thats when we started our shopping. I've really only bought for my husband, but will hopefully get the rest of my shopping done long before Christmas. That way I could concentrate on the other things I love about the holiday, baking, decorating, writing christmas cards, listening to christmas music.

[MerrySilver]

I haven't started any Christmas shopping as of yet, but I'm already making some decorations and gifts :D I've been very busy with all that and I'll get nothing but busier as the weeks progress. Last year I got all my shopping/creating done by the end of November, which was a very big accomplishment for me, and I could sit back and savour December :)

[Scrappin Not Nappin]

I start planning for the next Christmas, the day after Christmas, if not before! I can't put it off a minute longer. I've been behind before and I never want to do that again.

[sugarplum fairy]

I bought my first Christmas present yesterday. It is a gift for my daughter. I just have to make sure I don't give in and give it to her. LOL

[Basket]

I still sort my recipes now and find some nice cookie recipes. I like to try them next week. Perhaps there will be some dough I can prepare and freeze til October.

Basket

[SparkleNana]

I bought a roll of gold shiny paper at Ikea today for $1.99. I TRIED to buy a roll of 4 kinds of gold and silver crinkly ribbon for $1.99, but I failed. Ikea makes you scan your own items dow, and pay the cash register instead of a human. There was one human supervising four registers full of customers. I was the slowest customer and kept scanning things twice without knowing how I did that. The supervising human was very upset at my lack of scanning ability. So I just left a few of the more difficult items (including the ribbon) on top of the cash register.

[JOHNOR]

the last couple of days i have found myself singing "oh holy night" and "oh come all ye faithful"

once we get to september, that's it for me - the start of the season!!!!!!!

how quickly has it come around? it's amazing!

[reindeerelf]

So far I've bought five new ornaments for the tree in our dining room. They arrived yesterday and I can't wait to put the tree up. Unfortunately that will have to wait until Thanksgiving.

[ohchristmastree]

I started saving a few weeks ago and made my first purchase today (some icicle lights)

Harry

[trackrebel]

I have started in June....we were in a toy store....and I found a Fisher Price learning clock....for 15Euro.....the regular price is 30 Euro...so it was quite a catch and more than half of the X-Mas present of my babygirl is done...I continue this months with the presents of my niece and my godchild

[TaraML]

I started shopping already -- so it's started for me! :gift:

I like to be done shopping by the beginning of November -- then I can focus on the other fun parts of the holiday (baking, decorating, etc.).

[SparkleNana]

I've started shopping too. And some get-ready plans are on the board over at MagicalHolidayHome.com. Fun stuff!

[Chillywilly]

I started a couple of months ago with our Office planning for this years Christmas Party. It is very exciting and fun, Just this week we purchased all of our Christmas decoration for the office, We hired a band to play our Christmas music. We rented a hall where we are going to hold the Party as well. So we are on our way it seems.:sparkle:More to come in the next few days.

[MarthaK]

I have started my shopping, but my official "start" of the Christmas season is Canadian Thanksgiving, or Columbus Day. That's when I offically start setting out some of my decorations and have projects in full swing.

If I start in mid October then I can have my village set up and the lighted garlands and wreaths in place before I go to work on the outdoor display. It also allows me to keep tabs on the tree at Rockefeller Center that is set in place around Veteran's Day. Sort of my holiday includes enjoying all the preparations; both mine and everyone else's.

[SparkleNana]

MarthaK -- How do you keep tabs on the preparations for the tree set up at Rockefeller Center? That sounds like fun!

[MerryChristmasLydio]

I've been listening to Christmas music all year. Does that count??? LOL! I have been thinking of what I'd like to give everybody.