Christmas

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2005
Christmas
16
Tue, 07-12-2005 - 5:07am

today I was thinking about Christmas and granted in November the Christmas bonus comes in, but I want to put it toward lowering our overdraft. And so I had the following plan. If you have ideas as well, please let me know.

For my Mom: Since we are going to London together next month, I'm gonna take my laptop, and my digital camera and make lots and lots of pictures and keep a vacation diary. When we get home, I'm gonna buy a photo album (not too expensive), take some fabric (which I have lots of) that looks British and make her a scrap-book.

My Kids: That is a problem, because they do not appreciate home-made stuff as much as my mom does. I was thinking I'll give them 30 Euros each (I have 2 married daughters, so that will be 60 Euros a couple) and maybe I make some little stuff, to stuff their stockings with.

My grandbabies: Since the little one will only be 6 months old, I'll make her a baby-quilt and for Bryan I have no idea yet. I'll probably get him some Legos (I can build on to that). Maybe I can find a starter set on ebay.

My husband: Gets an extra payment on our debts :), i.e. the left over Christmas bonus to put down the overdraft.

My friends: I only have 3 or 4 that I will give to, I'll make something for them, like a doily or a quilted table runner (I'm learning how to machine quilt, so that will be good practice as well). And if I don't get done with all of it, I deliver later.

I have also a friend, that has a birthday in September... I think I invite her over for dinner and cook for her (something like Fondue or Raclette), or I organize a party for her, maybe I could make it a pot-luck.

What do you guys think about my plan?

Sushi

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2005
In reply to: sushi607
Wed, 07-13-2005 - 4:37pm
Another idea for low-cost Christmas gifts are home mnade coupons - good for one baby-sitting session (for friends with babies), good for one message (for boyfriends and husbands), etc.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2005
In reply to: sushi607
Thu, 07-14-2005 - 4:17am
hey, that is an awesome idea... I have one friend, who is a single mom and I could give her baby-sitting cupons.... :).
Avatar for mquin73
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: sushi607
Thu, 07-14-2005 - 4:30pm

I think those are great ideas Sushi! I'm sure your mother will love the scrapbook! Everything else sounds good too! Another idea is to bake things, like cookies, breads, or any specialty items you know how to make. Many a time I have made assorted cookies and given cookie trays to people/family. Also you can get recipes for jar mixes, like hot chocolate, cookie mixes in a jar, brownies, soup mixes, etc. These are great as gifts too! I've made my aunt and grandmother a Mocha mix that just requires hot chocolate mix, coffee, and dry milk. I usually use sugar free hot cocoa cuz my grandmother is borderline diabetic. They love these! Oh, another idea is sometimes I've made fruit baskets too. I love to give people things that they can eat or use, as well as I love to receive items like that as well. It keeps down the clutter! lol

Good luck on what to give! I gotta start thinking about that myself! lol

Michelle


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2005
In reply to: sushi607
Fri, 07-15-2005 - 1:43am

wonderful ideas.... EVERYBODY loves it, when I bake Neimann Markus Cookies (you know the urban legend ones that are online). They are absolutely fabulous and I can make lots of them for hardly any money. Especially, since I have most of the ingredients at home anyway.... my other friend would love a badge... which reminds me her birthday is 9/11 (poor girl). I think I make her half a badge and put the other half in zip locs for her to freeze :).

Sushi

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2005
In reply to: sushi607
Fri, 07-15-2005 - 1:46am

Sushi,

You have great English, but just so you know for the future, you make a batch of cookies. And that's a good idea for a Christmas gift!

~Denice

Lilypie Baby Pic
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2005
In reply to: sushi607
Fri, 07-15-2005 - 4:32am

LOL you caught me. But why can't I make a badge out of a cookie LOL... I put it in a wallet that flips open, make it look like a police badge LOL....

Doris

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