I am sure none of us would have thought so much negative would have happened at this point, on January 1, 2020. We all know stuff happens - but enough already!!
Six months from today is Christmas!!!!!! Oh my goodness.
Have any of you thought about it yet? Has anyone started planning? Has anyone started making or buying gifts? I bet I can guess who has!!!!! (Annabel is first on my mind - she is always getting ready!)
What do you plan to do this year?
We have no idea what things will be like then. Hopefully family get togethers will be back to normal and the craziness of the world will be settled down.
I have never been an on-line shopper - may have to think about it this year. Most everyone is getting older - so money and gift cards are ALWAYS appreciated. There are only a few 'littles', so I think I can handle that.
I will continue to can my special goodies that everyone likes. I will make up jar recipes - those are always a hit. Food products and restaurant gift cards are what many in my circle like to receive. I still have some sewing projects in the back of my brain - so I may work on those as well.
I know it will be simple and most likely edible.
As the young kiddos get older - it really is getting easier. They love gift cards to their favorite shopping places, they love snacks, and they love going out to fast food places. I can oblige!!!
Most every gift card I might want to get, can be found at my Kroger or Wal-Mart. At Kroger - I can often get extra gas points when purchasing gift cards!! Win-win.
Gift cards card be purchased over time and put back for the holidays. They don't expire. You can spread the expenses over time.
The teenagers love their snack foods. I like to make up some sort of 'basket' or 'bag' of their favorite goodies that can keep in their rooms - and not have to share!!! LOL
Do you have special go to things that you are getting for the holidays? Are you thinking of preparing ahead of time this year?
Will Christmas look different for you this year?
I think the grocery store and my garden will be my go to sources of gifts this year. It will still be personalized, it will be tasty, and it will be frugal.
That's my plan and I'm sticking to it!!!!!
What say you?
Our daughter's family are missionaries in Germany. Tickets for them to come home for Christmas have been bought and paid for. Now we just hope they can still come.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful - I sure hope you get to see them and they get to fly home!!!!
DeleteOh gosh I hadn't even thought about the date being six months away!
ReplyDeleteAt staff meetings I have suggested more planning ahead - just in case. I work for a church and we were all locked down for Easter this year so I think we need to have some options ready for Christmas. We do 2 services on Christmas Eve and the 7pm usually hosts 600 to 700 people and Midnight Communion service usually has around 250 so we do need to really think about what may and may not be possible.
Personally - family will probably get some goodies sent their way - flowers to my stepmom (sent them for new year's this year which really surprised her) and there is a Canadian Chocolate Co. that does deliveries so I suspect I will place a few orders with them for siblings - we all have a sweet tooth!
When it comes to friends - we tend to do small things and food or books are the usuals so I'll pick up a few things as I go through the year. I do have a small present stash in a back closet which I will add to if I see any good sales and I already have my cards (bought on sale after last Christmas) and I also have plenty of wrapping paper and gift bags so I'm fairly comfortable with where things stand right now.
Sounds like you have a plan. I started with the fancy candy (good into 2021) and of course home canned. I like finding books at sales and getting them for others too.
DeleteI have cards and wrapping as well.
Mmmm - chocolates sounds yummy!
I hope the churches get to have live holidays. Easter and YouTube just didn't seem right.
Keep on plugging away!
I remember many of the New Years resolutions I read on social media talking about 2020 being a new year and new decade and it was going to be amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt’s been amazing all right! But not in the way most were planning.
Our son bought my husband’s Father’s Day gift at Walgreens- a Texas Roadhouse card and an assortment of nut snacks. It was a great gift!
About Christmas, we don’t do a lot of gifts except one gift for each grand and stocking stuffers for kids only, and we put money in their savings accounts. I will do small, probably homemade gifts too but I don’t have any plans what they will be yet.
Gift cards are now becoming available so many places - I love that! Makes shopping easier.
DeleteGood for you on not over doing it with the kids. They all have and get so much - it is hard to take it all in.
I love putting money in savings for them.
I think many of us will be keeping it simple. I really like that!
I have actually bought a few things to put away for Christmas. Just a few impulses that I thought would be enjoyed!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Now is the time to get started - it sure won't hurt as bad financially if done a little at a time.
DeleteAh thanks for the reminder about Christmas. I think everything is going to be low key for us.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to use your idea last year for wrapping the toilet paper with the cute poem...I think we can all use a laugh esp with toilet paper shortages this year.
What a year this has been. At least our 17 year cicadas have gone this week. I'm just waiting on the dust plague to hit our area now. Crazy times.
The TP rolls are funny - and who can't use an extra roll?? LOL
DeleteThe dust thing hits every year according to our meteorologist - it just may be a little thicker this year. It is supposed to make for some beautiful sunsets and sunrises they say!
Yes, I think homemade and less money being spent this year may be the people's choice!!!!
Haha! Well I do start in January! My present cupboard is looking ok! I am feeling that given the first six months of this year have been ... I cant even think of a word!? You cant make this stuff up even! So... where will we be in another six months? In all seriousness by then the gift of food, pantry items, clothing and basics may be the best gift. Toilet paper is possibly a good gift! Wrapped in gold paper as it is the gift of gold! xxx
ReplyDeleteYou always have so many pretties made and put back - I always love hearing about them.
DeleteYes, this year has been something - not sure what!
The basics will be wonderful gifts and perhaps much needed gifts. I think basics is the way to go.
Have a good one!
I have been picking up little stuff for the kids here and there. No big preparations yet because we all change our minds on what we want.
ReplyDeleteIf you think about it though -things may not be available and we should get busy!
That was exactly my point. Better start preparing now just in case. Like many have said here, basics will be the norm for me and those I give to. The basics made be NEEDS at some point for them!
DeleteI've seen several memes, all along the lines of: Reinstall 2020, it has a virus!. So true along with so many other issues.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of gifts in the cupboard, one is handmade. I tend to buy all through the year so that it's all paid for, and I don't overspend in December. This year, the plan was to pick up unique items on my UK cruise, but of course that didn't happen. I'll have to put my thinking cap on. :)
Take care and stay well.
Glad you have a start. Homemade gifts are always so lovely.
DeleteYou will come up with something special despite not doing the cruise. Maybe check online and see if there are some UK sites that you can order fun things from.
Thanks - take care yourself
Two years ago, I sent out Thanksgiving cards instead of Christmas. I laughed over how many people loved it cuz they could take their time to enjoy it. Who knew?!
ReplyDeleteMy brother is disabled and on a very limited income. I told him to pick a night and any place that delivers and what he wanted. I ordered him pizza, chicken, and all the extras. He ate for 3 days and loved it. Since he can't drive, it went to his door!
I also send him a *stocking* with a few small gifts of things he loves/needs- homemade fudge, Reese's (from Halloween sales), glasses repair kit, gloves, instant coffee, & stuff I know he won't buy, but likes. He says he loves those boxes of goodies and he uses every single thing in them.
What wonderful ideas!!!!! I love the dinner delivery idea - that is fantastic and what a treat for him.
DeleteIt sounds like your brother has a pretty terrific sister!
Thanks for some new ideas!
Great thoughts! I'm just beginning to think about Christmas in earnest! Gift cards are always a hit with my adult kids.
ReplyDeleteGift cards are easily available and there are so many different types. You can get about anything with them.
DeleteI normally wait until October and then start buying 1 or 2 items (depending on my budget) each payday. This year I am starting early! I bought my son some joke toilet paper which was still in its packaging from an op-shop and ordered a DVD for my daughter from ebay. She also wants a record player, so I'm on the hunt to find a cheap one!
ReplyDeleteMel, I think you are wise to start earlier this year. You just never know how things will be come October. Best get a head start and get a little at a time.
DeleteHope you find the record player - might check thrift stores! Bet you could find a 'like new' one.