HEY CHRISTMAS IS COMMIN!!! WHO GOT GIFTS IDEAS ALREADY???

[jenniferhoder]

I have a very large family that I have to buy for. SO, this year to make it easier on myself (since I work full time) I am getting GIFT CARDS FOR EVERYONE!!! I can pick them up at my local grocery store too. I am so tired of trying please people, so this way, THEY CAN PICK WHAT THEY WANT!!! I know that it's not very fun, but that's what I always ask for!!!

[poppy1]

I love lighting up the season. I have never celebrated Christmas in the "gift giving" fashion. I do however believe in giving books, candles, socks and foods of some sort if I do give presents.....Happy Holidays!

[wowcash2011]

 :)i already have many ideas but money is not here yet

[MollyAlice1]

:)i already have many ideas but money is not here yet

  That what I said, but I got something cookin this year... I hope it works out for me... 

[pfrancis001]

Is it almost that time again. I havent even started a list yet.  well guess i got to get started now. 

[TOMAS7]

Well Wal-mart in my area closed down the layaway but I recently found out starting in early October they will be giving it back. So, I'm super excited and cannot wait to begin Christmas shopping! I have a small family to buy for and included is only one child (who is 3) so I'm sure he will enjoy the tons of many gifts I will purchase for him. My gifts ideas include lots of toys, games, and clothes!

I keep seeing ads that K-Mart still has their layaway plan available. Sometimes they carry the same things as Walmart in terms of toys and basics like socks and underwear or even kids clothes. I have found a few unique things there once in a while. I managed to get one of the snuggies a couple years ago for my mother on the black Friday sale when the regular price and the TV price was around $15 plus shipping for TV orders, but I think they took it down to 7.99 or 9.99 just for the early morning hours that FRiday. It takes some strategy to seek out the best deals. I also used to be one that combed clearance all year long as well but then that was also when things were better economically for me. Now, with the adults we have agreed that cards good health is enough between us and if we are able to all be together we take that as a blessing. We have turned our focus to the children and still try to make it a magical time for them. It seems to have worked pretty well the past couple of years. So we will probably continue it. Take care.

[btriple1]

Like the gift card idea- have not purchased anything yet, do a lot of shopping on Black friday

[TOMAS7]

I'm bored and disgusted with Christmas, had enough.

I can somewhat relate to where you are coming from. With all the commercial attention that the holiday receives starting in August in some stores, it is hard to remain excited about the holiday by the time it gets here. I think it is also a matter that many of us set pretty high expectations of what we should be doing in order to have the "perfect" or "Norman Rockwell" Holiday and that is often unrealistic. In my family we have agreed that cards and good health are good enough for the adults and we have turned our attention to making the holidays special and magical for the children. That has tended to work for us and I think we will continue it. If it is possible to gather us all together from the various parts of the country where we all live, that is just an additional bonus. It doesn't always happen but when it does it is magical and keeps us connected to what we feel is the more important part of the holiday season.  It is hard to be a GRinch sometimes but then it is also easily understood. Hope you are able to find a place that works for you to find some joy even if just for a small moment during the upcoming holidays. Everyone deserves a little peace and joy in their life. Even if it is just for one or two minutes to take a time out and listen to a favorite Christmas song, really push yourself to embrace it and see if it helps? Maybe it will maybe it won't but you won't know for sure unless you give it a chance. If it is something that has fallen away from your UNiversal world outlook then that is a different matter. Maybe just a moment with a child in a hospital or orphanage would be beneficial to the process. Then again, if you wish to walk away from celebration of the holidays all together, and it has been a well thought out decision, those around you should respect that too. Whatever happens for you I hope that you have peace and love in your life from wherever you are able to find it. Take care.

[amcr7306]

I have the major family members (mom-in-law, dad-in-law, and the 4 sisters-in-laws) done already. I used take money to buy their stuff.
As for the kids and the 4 sisters-in-laws husbands/boyfriends, I am make my own gift basket for them. Popcorn tins from Wal-mart, cocoa, and their favorite candy (to make each on different). Will probably get gift bags or gift boxes to put the stuff in, but no sure yet.

Last year we got everyone coffee/tea/cocoa and a nice mug they could use all year.

[aggie49]

i have learned that either gift cards or money is the best way to go that way they get what they want and they won't have to return anything to

[ajann1983]

This year i will actually give out gift bags. Recenlty i have been getting a lot of free/cheap personal care and household items from couponing so i will give those out. I have also been checking out all the clearance items that are in stores.

[kl70364]

Well I'm looking forward to Christmas now but for the last 13 years I didn't enjoy it. I am 24 years old and my father passed on Christmas day when I was only 10 years old. Now I have a nephew (who is 3) who can now start to enjoy such holidays. So I'm definitely looking forward to it....and he also celebrates a birthday 3 days prior. So I feel down a while when Christmas comes around cause I miss my daddy completely but in the back of my head I think that Jesus has blessed my family with us receiving my nephew. I'm looking forward to Christmas this year and all the other holidays to come!

[tammypete]

This year Christmas is going to be a little different...My husband gets deployed the week before Thanksgiving and will not be back until next April.  This is the first time he has been deployed during the holidays.  We have 3 kids so I have to put on a smile and make it the best for them.......

[Thumper18]

I have some gift ideas for Christmas. I plan on cashing out at the end of the month and use my fusion check towards presents!  Normally I would have started buying thru out the year but it' s been hard this year not working and all. But the holidays are always a great time!  Im going to get my daughter this fisher price kitchen play set lol shes going to love it! Not really too sure on what to get the hubby this year tho lol 

[natashaspy]

This year Christmas is going to be a little different...My husband gets deployed the week before Thanksgiving and will not be back until next April.  This is the first time he has been deployed during the holidays.  We have 3 kids so I have to put on a smile and make it the best for them.......

so very sorry to hear that, please thank him for all he does and thank YOU for being so supportive of him.  i hope your christmas still turns out to be the best that it can be, hugs.

we get together with our families, but since money is tight for everyone these days...we do the chinese gift bag thing.  everyone buys a gift card, we toss them all in a bag and then draw one out.  the next person to draw gets to choose if they want to keep the card they got, or take the one that the person drew before them...it goes along until everyone has drawn and has a card.  gets interesting sometimes!