Christmas Shopping

Christmas shopping has been on my brain lately.  I personally hate shopping.  What the what?? Yes I am a woman who hates shopping. 

We have a large family so I try to plan my shopping for Christmas gifts all year long so that I can get the best bang for my buck :)  I try to keep a running list of ideas that Kids have all mentioned over the course of the year of items they would like.  I look for gifts everywhere.  I have no problem with buying used especially if it looks in brand new shape.  Luckily for me, my Kids and other family members don't care if they received a second hand item either. I also use apps on my phone to earn free gifts cards for doing different things.  I typically use these gift cards to buy Christmas gifts also.

I have done a lot of shopping online this year.  I use a cash envelope for my Christmas shopping.  I also have a envelope that I add money to when I make an online purchase using my debit card. Once a week I go place that cash back into my checking account.  Maybe not a great system for others but it has been working for me.

Anyway, how is everyone doing with their shopping?  Have you started yet or are you done?

A Couple of Gifts I Made For Christmas

I saw these family trees on Sutton Grace.  I really enjoy this blog and knew eventually I would like to make some of these trees.  This year for Christmas presents I made 3.  One for my Mom, Grandma and Parent in laws.  I did mine little differently and had Kid # 3 help me print out 4 sections that I then taped together to trace my tree, so that I then didn't have the expense of going to a copy shop.  I also just did immediate family members for each tree.  For my Moms, I did each of my sisters and their families and my step brother.  My Grandma's I included, my mom and our whole family and each of her sisters and their families.  The same with my Parent in laws, my family, my sister in laws family and brother in laws families.  I included extra leaves so as each of the families grow new members can be added.  I also tried to match colors that I new each recipient would like.

Here they are!

I used coupons at Hobby Lobby and bought all the items over  time to get the best price on everything.  Total for each tree was less then $18.00.  Everyone loved them!  Someday when my family is bigger I plan to make one for myself :)

Christmas Plan # 4-The Totals and What I Gave!

Well here is my last Christmas post and my totals for what I spent.   I made several gifts that I gave.  I did a post on a few of those recently and I will do an additional one soon on the other gifts.  If all of my figures are accurate then I spend less then $1000.  Which I am pretty proud about!  I tried to list what I bought by each total for those of you that are interested.  I have already started accumulating amazon gift cards and points from Mypoints to use for Christmas in 2012.  That was a huge help in staying under budget!  In January I will begin to put $50 of my small income I earn each month a side to save for Christmas presents in 2012.  I am hoping to do even better with my Christmas budget next year!


PS:  I didn't list every thing I put in the kids stockings.  But I did spend about $20 additional dollars not added to the list here :)



Photo for Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards ordered - $24.50

Stamps for Christmas Cards $17

Christmas Tree $30

Kid # 5 picture with Santa - free

Husband - I don't really do a set number of gifts for my husband but we do have a set amount we get to spend on each other :)

1 gift - $30 - fold up metal cart
2 gift - $ 58.32 - pop up awning
3 gift - $7.49 - book on guitars


Kid # 1

gift # 1 -$15.64 - 2 star wars tshirts
gift # 2 - $25.00 - small outdoor table top grill
gift # 3 - $ $36.41- 2 pairs of jeans
gift # 4 - $29.96 - World of War Craft game time
Total _______
$ 107.01

Kid # 1 Stockings Items

1-something I bought a long time ago
2-$3.00 Candy

Kid # 2

gift # 1 - $3 - snow glob I found at Good will
gift # 2 - $5+$3.49 + $19.99 = $28.48 - 2 dresses and a cardigan to match
gift # 3 - $ 13.17 + FREE item - photo book with her senior pics and collage print from Walgreen's
gift # 4 - $ 19.99 - subway style quote wall hanging
Total _____
$ 64.64

Kid # 2 Stockings Items

1-$17.25 -Christmas ornament
2-$1.99 - vinyl cell phone sticker


Kid # 3

gift # 1 - $5 - 1 black and 1 white Cami's
gift # 2 - FREE with Swagbucks - Seventeen magazine subscription
gift # 3 - FREE with Swagbucks -2 Hello Kitty seat covers
gift # 4 - $ 33.93 - winter coat
Total _______
$38.93

Kid # 3 Stocking Items

1- FREE with Swagbucks - Hello Kitty car air fresheners
2- FREE with Swagbucks - Hello Kitty cell phone sticker
3- $3.99

Kid # 4

gift # 1 - $ 28.94 - fleece lined jacket
gift # 2 - $ 3.00 + $19.99 =$22.99 - Winter hat and Tshirt
gift # 3 - $ 14.00 -moccasins
gift # 4 - $ 40.88 - Ipod charging alarm clock
Total _________
               $ 106.81

Kid # 4 Stocking Items

1-$0.50 at a yard sale
2-$2.99 Hobby Lobby find
3.$4.93 Gordmans
4. $3.00 candy

Kid # 5

gift # 1- $60 + item to go with it FREE with Swagbucks - Nintendo DS and Game
gift # 2 - $ 14.91 - 3 long sleeved layering tshirts
gift # 3 - $30.86 - Fancy Nancy book and one activity book
gift # 4 - $9.99 - used $30 in swagbucks amazon gift cards - Polly pocket jet plane
Total     ______
              $115.76

Kid # 5 Stocking Items

1-$2.99 -Hobby Lobby find
2-$9.99
3-$2


Future Daughter In law

gift # 1 - Free - party lite candle set
gift # 2 -$3 - last name sign I made for her -I will show it in a post soon!
gift # 3 - $ 24.79 - 5 colors of crackle nail polish
gift # 4 - $25.00 - gift card to Fashion Bug
Total _________
             $ 52.79

Mom - $12.98 +1.19 +1.99+0.52 =$16.68 - Family Tree I made
Step dad - Free using my points from Mypoints - Bass Pro gift card
Family gift for nieces and nephew - Free - Harry Potter Game
Sister - coffee cozies I made
bro in law $20.92 - bookends
Grandma - $12.98 +1.99+1.99+0.52=$17.48 - Family Tree I made
Mother in law - $12.98 +1.99+1.99+0.52=$17.48- Family Tree I made
Father in law - Free using my points from Mypoints - Starbucks gift card

Postage to mail Parent in laws gift $9

Roger - $11.86 - 10 pairs of short colorful socks

Jenna - $4 - a few $1 art items

Game Gift
 1 - $10 - gift card to local restaurant
2 - free using stuff I already had - candles
3 - free using stuff I already had - coasters I made
4 - $10 - McDonald's bucks
5 - free using stuff I already had - candles
6- free using stuff I already had - more candles

Teacher gift for Kid # 5 - 1-$2, 2-free using supplies I already had! - hand sanitizer and coasters I made

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

 I'll be back next week with a run down of what I bought with my Christmas cash and my final total.  I also will have a post about where we stand finanically and hopefully what our goals for 2012 will be.

I hope each one of you have a wonderful holiday with your families and that Santa is good to all of you!

Somethings I have made lately

Here are a few presents I have made for Christmas.  I have several others I will post about after Christmas is over but these I know the person who is receiving them probably won't see :)


These are coasters I made for Kid # 5's teacher

I already had the all the materials to make these. 

Here are another set I made to use as a game gift that I needed for our Christmas Eve celebration

These are both just tiles I bought at Lowe's.  Mod Podge, scrapbook paper and a stamp.  They were really very easy to make!

Edited to add :  I stamped the paper, did one coat of mod podge, added the paper, then 4 coats of mod podge over the paper, drying in between coats.  I have read you then can spray with a clear sealer.  I have also read that if you let the mod podge cure for a few weeks before using then it is water proof.  I opted to do this since I made mine in plenty of time for Christmas.

Update on Christmas Plan #3

Here is where I stand as of today with my Christmas shopping!  I know what I need to buy in order to get it all finished.  It is more of just a matter of having the time to get it done.  I have not even started my Christmas cards yet.  I plan to get them done next week and hopefully all the rest of my shopping too :)  How are all of you doing on your shopping?


Photo for Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards ordered - $24.50

Stamps for Christmas Cards

Christmas Tree

Kid # 5 picture with Santa

Husband - I don't really do a set number of gifts for my husband but we do have a set amount we get to spend on each other :)

1 gift - $30
2 gift - $ 58.32
3 gift - $7.49


Kid # 1

gift # 1 -$15.64
gift # 2 - $25.00
gift # 3 - $ $36.41
gift # 4 - $29.96
    Total _______
              $ 107.01

Kid # 1 Stockings Items

1-something I bought a long time ago
2-$3.00 Candy

Kid # 2

gift # 1 - $3
gift # 2 - $5+$3.49 + $19.99 = $28.48
gift # 3 - $ 13.17 + FREE item
gift # 4 - $ 19.99
       Total _____
               $ 64.64

Kid # 2 Stockings Items

1-$17.25
2-$1.99


Kid # 3

gift # 1 - $5
gift # 2 - FREE with Swagbucks
gift # 3 - FREE with Swagbucks
gift # 4 - $ 33.93
     Total _______
               $38.93

Kid # 3 Stocking Items

1- FREE with Swagbucks
2- FREE with Swagbucks
3- $3.99

Kid # 4

gift # 1 - $ 28.94
gift # 2 - $ 3.00 + $19.99 =$22.99
gift # 3 - $ 14.00
gift # 4

Kid # 4 Stocking Items

1-$0.50 at a yard sale
2-$2.99 Hobby Lobby find
3.$4.93 Gordmans
4. $3.00 candy

Kid # 5

gift # 1- $60 + item to go with it FREE with Swagbucks
gift # 2 - $ 14.91
gift # 3 - $30.86
gift # 4

Kid # 5 Stocking Items

1-$2.99 -Hobby Lobby find
2-$9.99
3-$2


Future Daughter In law

gift # 1 - Free
gift # 2 -$3
gift # 3 - $ 24.79
gift # 4

Mom - $12.98 +1.19 +1.99+0.52 =$16.68
Step dad - Free using my points from Mypoints
Family gift for nieces and nephew - Free
Sister
 bro in law $20.92
Grandma - $12.98 +1.99+1.99+0.52=$17.48
Mother in law - $12.98 +1.99+1.99+0.52=$17.48
Father in law - Free using my points from Mypoints

Postage to mail Parent in laws gift

Roger - $11.86

Jenna - $4

Game Gift 1 - $10
                  2 - free using stuff I already had
                  3 - free using stuff I already had
                  4
                  5
                  6

Teacher gift for Kid # 5 - 1-$2, 2-free using supplies I already had!

Update on Christmas Plan # 2

Here is where I stand as far as completing my Christmas shopping.  I am hoping to have all but maybe a few stocking stuffers done by the end of November.  I think I am doing pretty well!  Oh and I have manage to pay only cash for all items or use Swag Bucks and points from Mypoints!  Go me! :)



Photo for Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards ordered

Stamps for Christmas Cards

Christmas Tree

Kid # 5 picture with Santa

Husband - I don't really do a set number of gifts for my husband but we do have a set amount we get to spend on each other :)

1 gift  - $30
2 gift - $ 58.32
3 gift - $7.49


Kid # 1                                                                   

gift # 1 -$15.64
gift # 2 - $25.00
gift # 3
gift # 4

Kid # 1 Stockings Items

1-something I bought a long time ago

Kid # 2                                                                    

gift # 1 - $3
gift # 2 - $5+$3.49 + $19.99 = $28.48
gift # 3 - $ 13.17
gift # 4

Kid # 2 Stockings Items

Kid # 3                                                                                       

gift # 1 - $5
gift # 2 - FREE with Swagbucks
gift # 3 - FREE with Swagbucks
gift # 4

Kid # 3 Stocking Items

1- FREE with Swagbucks
2- FREE with Swagbucks

Kid # 4

gift # 1 - $ 28.94
gift # 2 - $ 3.00 + $19.99 =$22.99
gift # 3 - $ 14.00
gift # 4

Kid # 4 Stocking Items

1-$0.50 at a yard sale
2-$2.99 Hobby Lobby find

Kid # 5

gift # 1- $60
gift # 2 - $ 14.91
gift # 3 - $30.86
gift # 4

Kid # 5 Stocking Items

1-$2.99 -Hobby Lobby find
2-$9.99


Future Daughter In law

gift # 1 - Free
gift # 2 -$3
gift # 3
gift # 4

Mom - $12.98 +1.19 +1.99+0.52 =$16.68
Step dad - Free using my points from Mypoints
Family gift for nieces and nephew - Free
Sister
bro in law
Grandma - $12.98 +1.99+1.99+0.52=$17.48
Mother in law - $12.98 +1.99+1.99+0.52=$17.48
Father in law - Free using my points from Mypoints

Postage to mail Parent in laws gift

Roger

Jenna - $4

Game Gift  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Teacher gift for Kid # 5 -$2

Christmas Plan Update

Here is what I have accomplished so far on my Christmas Plan. I hope to be finished with all my Christmas shopping by the end of November.  We will see if that happens :)  I had planned to have my Mom, Mother in law and Grandmothers gift completed by the end of September but that just didn't pan out.  I do however have most of the items bought that are needed to make the gifts.  Hopefully I will have that done in by the end of this week :)



Photo for Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards ordered

Christmas Tree

Kid # 5 picture with Santa

Husband - I don't really do a set number of gifts for my husband but we do have a set amount we get to spend on each other :)

1 gift so far - $30


Kid # 1

gift # 1 -$15.64
gift # 2 - $25.00
gift # 3
gift # 4


Kid # 2

gift # 1 - $3
gift # 2
gift # 3
gift # 4

Kid # 3

gift # 1 - $5
gift # 2 - FREE with Swagbucks
gift # 3
gift # 4

Kid # 4

gift # 1 - $ 28.94
gift # 2 - $ 3.00
gift # 3
gift # 4

Kid # 5

gift # 1- $60
gift # 2
gift # 3
gift # 4

Future Daughter In law

gift # 1 - Free
gift # 2
gift # 3
gift # 4

Mom - $12.98 +1.18 = $ 14.16
Step dad - Free using my points from Mypoints
Family gift for nieces and nephew - Free
Sister
bro in law
Grandma - $12.98 + 1.18 = $ 14.16
Mother in law - $12.98
Father in law - Free using my points from Mypoints

Roger

Jenna - $4

Teacher gift for Kid # 5

September To- Do List

Clean stove, inside and out

Rip out kitchen floor

Clean behind everything on the kitchen counters

Clean kitchen refrigerator

Clean garage refrigerator


Looks like September will be the month to really deep clean the kitchen!

Make my Mom and Mother in laws Christmas gifts.  Get one gift bought for each of the kids.

Make Kid # 3 corsage and boutonniere for Homecoming.  A post and pics to follow :)

Christmas Plan

I am just gonna put my list of people I buy or make gifts for here on the blog so I can keep track of it.  I will be updating my list and crossing things off as I purchase or make them.  I am also am not going to put exactly what I am giving as gifts that way if anyone in my family actually reads my blog they won't know what the gifts are :)

Photo for Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards ordered

Christmas Tree

Kid # 5 picture with Santa

Husband  - I don't really do a set number of gifts for my husband but we do have a set amount we get to spend on each other :)

1 gift so far


Kid # 1 

gift # 1                                   
gift # 2
gift # 3
gift # 4


Kid # 2

gift # 1
gift # 2
gift # 3
gift # 4

Kid # 3

gift # 1
gift # 2
gift # 3
gift # 4

Kid # 4

gift # 1
gift # 2
gift # 3
gift # 4

Kid # 5

gift # 1
gift # 2
gift # 3
gift # 4

Future Daughter In law

gift # 1
gift # 2
gift # 3
gift # 4

Mom
Step dad
Family gift for nieces and nephew
Sister
bro in law

Mother in law
Father in law

Roger

Jenna

Teacher gift for Kid # 5


Well that is all I can think of to add to my list at the moment.  I plan to keep this updated to help me stay organized