Collins Country

Christmas in July??

I know it’s early to be thinking of the Holidays, but for those of us who make gifts, it’s really never too early to start.

This year, we are on a budget.  Each family member is going to contribute as much money as they are able (starting now) to a Christams savings account. 

What ever we have two weeks before Christmas will be divided by five (our family) and that’s what we have.  My husband and I will probably make up the difference so that we each have $20.00 to spend on each person (trust me, $400.00 for Christmas is a HUGE cut back for our family-of course the kids rarely chipped in much, but now that they are older and able to earn money…).

We are trying to taking our focus off gifts at Christams and will find more ways to give our time to people who really need it!  We love to celebrate Christmas, so that will continue, but with a focus on fellowship instead of presents!

As far and friends and extended family, the job falls to me to find creative gift ideas that I can make. 

I started of by making a short list of things I can do (sewing, knitting, cooking, candle making).  Then, I started looking around my house for supplies and ideas. 

• I am saving frozen juice cans, and the wax that didn’t melt from candles.  All I need to buy are wicks and I can make candles (I think I raffia, to decorate them with).
• I have several jars to put either pancake mix, accompanied by homemade blackberry syrup or pie crust mix with a quart of berries.  A trip to the Dollar Store for pie tins, or pancakes turners and a basket; that’s a nice little gift!
• I have TONS of yarn that I have bought or been given over the years and not used.  I have already started knitting socks, but I have other ideas, too.
• I have an embroidery machine (gift from my darling MIL), so I can make some nice embroidered items (Last year, I made stockings from my great-grandmother's quilt-it had a 2 foot hole in the center- and embroidered my sister’s names on them; they were a big hit).
• My daughter tossed three pair of jeans on the table, yeaterday, that she couldn’t wear.  I envisioned small overnight bags for all my nieces (the outer pockets for toothpaste, brush, washcloth, etc. and the inner part for overnight clothes).  I started on the prototype for that yesterday.

I am so excited about this.  For those of you on a budget, who like to make things, now is the time to start looking around your homes for ideas and supplies.  In addition to being a frugal plan, it’s a lot of inexpensive FUN!

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{ 01:09 , Tuesday, August 1, 2006 } { Posted by Cindeerella }

Very cool ideas! How fun!

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{ 01:59 , Tuesday, August 1, 2006 } { Posted by Farmwife410 }

You have some really great ideas!! I too try to make alot of Christmas gifts. To me Christmas has become much to commercialized and people just don't focus on the meaning anymore.
Rie

I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME!!

{ 04:45 , Wednesday, August 2, 2006 } { Posted by gokings13 }

I just posted last week on another board about Christmas!!
For years our kids have recieved 3 gifts, that's it. Each child (we have 3) gets on "expensive" gift, and then 2 other smaller gifts. They have never grumbled or complained!
We spend more in food over the holidays than we do in gifts!! We bake for everyone, and we host a few meals for friends and family.
I love love love Christmas time.
Laura