Christmas 2017 thread

I didn't notice a 2015 Christmas thread :icon_santa:, I know in previous years there was a 2013 & 2014 Christmas AA Club but didn't notice one for 2015 so since I am excited for this Christmas I thought others must be too :shrug: so I decided to throw this thread together hoping that we could share our Christmas preparations, excitement etc....

SO this thread is For all us Christmas fanatics :lolsign:, crafters who gift their beautiful creations, bargain shoppers, well budgeted individuals, those wanting to shop throughout the year and not break the bank or the just plain excited for this Christmas post away. :icon_santa:

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http://www.xmasclock.com/

countdown clock

Having learned from last year's (2014) Christmas which was quite a last minute Christmas :shock:, I was stressed both financially & emotionally. My youngest (then 11 now 12) didn't know what he wanted and my eldest (14) wanted things that we just couldn't afford by ourselves without having other family members chip in.

So I am embracing Christmas with a plan in hand as we don't want to be stressed financially or emotionally if that's possible ;)


Here are a few of my plans :top:
1. I have a new found appreciation for shoppers drug mart and their points, yes I am a late bloomer :lolsign:, so I currently shop when offers are great and items are needed. My goal is to save all of our points and do super redemptions when possible for stock up items etc

2. Use our pc points for groceries for December & Christmas to free up funds so December won't be financially strapping :rolleyes:

3. Use our pc mastercard points for gift cards to gift or use to purchase gifts as well as purchase dvds, electronics that the kiddos have on their Christmas list.

4. Cash out my swagbucks to use for Christmas gifts

I need to create a deadline for stocking stuffers for both boys, hoping to pick up 1 item each shop and hopefully be done by end of June when schools out.

I also want to have all my Christmas lists in hand by November 1st, as we speak the kids have a running wish list of items they are wanting and remove items as they purchase them themselves.

So that is my plan for 2015, bring it on :icon_santa:

already have the greeting cards (Costco clearance)
wrapping paper (Tarjay)
stocking stuffers for men (Costco & Tarjay)

also have gift bags (Tarjay)

I have all my wrapping supplies but other than that I have not really thought about it.

So I have a serious problem. I am a wrapping paper-aholic. Yes I can admit it. I have 20 plus rolls and still every year I buy more. I blame the company really. They have such cute designs on the paper, and if it has owls.....just forget it, I am buying at least 2. I need to think of some creative crafty things to do with the paper besides wrapping presents. :icon_scratch::icon_santa:

I bought our christmas paper on sale after christmas- still have enough christmas cards to do at least one more christmas and tags to last a decade.

ive started on a few projects for christmas as well as my christmas savings plan.

-I haven't bought xmas paper since I got huge rolls at target for like .25 roll
-and xmas cards will last me for at least 4 or 5 more years(when my mom passed away-I got her bunch )
-bottle bags got bunch at talize last year for 1.00

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Originally Posted by tara22ca

So I have a serious problem. I am a wrapping paper-aholic. Yes I can admit it. I have 20 plus rolls and still every year I buy more. I blame the company really. They have such cute designs on the paper, and if it has owls.....just forget it, I am buying at least 2. I need to think of some creative crafty things to do with the paper besides wrapping presents. :icon_scratch::icon_santa:

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I agree the wrapping paper has come a long way and super hard to resist especially when on clearance:).

I too have a Christmas wrapping paper addiction, my rule is now can it be used for another occasion if yes in the cart it goes if not nope....I must resist temptation :bawling:

280 days until Christmas

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Originally Posted by jasperandchar

280 days until Christmas

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wdYLoSy1EN...ns+fgtju64.jpg

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Nice picture of my DH. :lolsign:

Just noticed this thread...thank you jasperandchar:flowers:

I will start saving enough SDM points for gifts and PC points for groceries come December as I don't want to get all stressed out during the festive season.

pffff, you guys are mad, last thing i wanna talk about in march is bloody christmas lol :P

DH and I started the 52 week challenge again this year (this is only our 2nd year.....wish we had started years ago)and at the end of the year, we will give cash to our adult children (they can buy whatever they want)and gift cards to DH's parents. We did this last year and it was such a relief to do this as we really didn't feel it. We even had quite a bit of money left over and treated ourselves to a brand new fridge. This is my first year on the Optimum program and plan on doing a redemption at Christmas time (only if I really like something). We already have $90 in PC points and have no intentions to redeem until Christmas for a big family dinner.
@jasperandchar - great plans. Let's hope we are all successful in achieving our goals/plans.

I can't remember a year when i didn't have the majority of my gifts and wrap purchased long before December!!
I am done most stocking stuffers and have bought fabric to make new stockings this year.Wrap, gift bags and cards are done. I have two totes of clothing (sweaters and hoodies) from Boathouse and Boootlegger that I got for 70% off for all the men in my life!! I bought some new decorations for 70% off at Taraget, I want to do white and gold this year. I think I may have a problem!!
I utilize all points programs to use in November to purchase gift cards, and groceries and of course lots of gifts at Shoppers with my Optimum card.

I tend to shop all year round - if I see something I know someone will like, I buy it if it's on sale (well, clearance). My aim is to have everything bought & made & wrapped by Sept (Oct at the latest). All depends on what life throws my way (last 2 yrs, my health issues have thrown a monkey wrench into my plans).

As for wrapping paper, I swore I wouldn't buy any this year...darn Walmart had the cutest roll with Santa holding a lab puppy. Really, how could I resist???

I might try making origami earrings with some of the wrapping paper for my friend who likes funky jewelry. I got the idea from here, although the design I'm planning will be far different. Might have to wait to make them until Nov, since all the Xmas stuff has been packed away.

Wow, I really like this thread as there is nothing better than to be ready for Xmass. I will visit this thread often as I too want to be ready. Thank you.........................:-)

I was thinking that it may be a good idea to start making lists of items of things that people say they wish they had and while I was at it I might as well make a list of things I would like...usually ends up being household items that I could use.

Andit - The snow is just melting enough to actually SEE our outside Christmas decorations so, hopefully by the end of March they might get put away. (I'm away next week.)
I'm also re-organizing all the extra indoor Christmas decorations that we have - but that project has been on hold - life has gotten in the way and now income tax.

J&C - Thanks for starting this! Whether we like it or not, next week we will be 1/3 of the way through the year!

I have LOTS, and LOTS and LOTS of wrapping paper. I'm pretty well set up for Christmas Cards but at $1 or more for each card for postage made me stop and think this year - but in the end I didn't reduce the list any - but saving points to off-set seasonal expenses is a good plan.

I tried to "give away" extra gifts this year that were "too young" for the intended recipients. I tend to buy throughout the year and then, because some people are easier to buy for, I wind up with too many for some people and not enough for others.

Planning - WHAT A GOOD IDEA!!!!

there was no 2014 Christmas for us, when we had the bad news DH stop turning the Christmas light on....so hoping 2015 will be better


p.s. i didn't forget to buy gifts for 2014 though

Stocked up on paper, boxes, bags, bows, and tape. A few stocking stocking stuffers have been purchased but target let me down after Christmas this year with after Christmas one spot merch. Well we all know the target scoop which is causing me heart palpitations due to no more,70-90% clearance deals. Did pick up some toys for nieces and nephews and family we sponsor, and ornaments for my nieces from Bombay company at 70% off. Also picked up Christmas napkins and Christmas crackers and new candle holders for Christmas dinner table. Also ordered some clothes for niece and nephew from children's place at super prices and free shipping. So off and running.

dh saw a food show featuring food from CNE they made stuffing waffles with mashed potatoes turkey and gravy...thinks we should make for Christmas dinner. Lol.

Can't wait till I get home from vacation to sort my Christmas stuff lol ( sitting in the airport now waiting to board to go home :)). I am stocked up on wrap and tags so ready to wrap once I get organized. Plan to have shopping done by Mid Oct and wrapped by Nov 10th as I want to go South again 2nd week of December!

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Originally Posted by thriftygranny

I can't remember a year when i didn't have the majority of my gifts and wrap purchased long before December!!
I am done most stocking stuffers and have bought fabric to make new stockings this year.Wrap, gift bags and cards are done. I have two totes of clothing (sweaters and hoodies) from Boathouse and Boootlegger that I got for 70% off for all the men in my life!! I bought some new decorations for 70% off at Taraget, I want to do white and gold this year. I think I may have a problem!!
I utilize all points programs to use in November to purchase gift cards, and groceries and of course lots of gifts at Shoppers with my Optimum card.

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:cheer2: thriftygranny I'm in shock :shock: awesome job :top:, talk about a stress free Christmas - the feeling must be amazing

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Originally Posted by macw1960

I was thinking that it may be a good idea to start making lists of items of things that people say they wish they had and while I was at it I might as well make a list of things I would like...usually ends up being household items that I could use.

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Great idea macw1960, everytime I hear someone say I would like that or that might be interesting it goes on the list especially my aging parents who don't need anything but sometimes say....and down it goes :lolsign:.

It's like you said a lot of people ask for things for the home and well guys like their tools :shrug:

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Originally Posted by Mia001

there was no 2014 Christmas for us, when we had the bad news DH stop turning the Christmas light on....so hoping 2015 will be better


p.s. i didn't forget to buy gifts for 2014 though

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oh dear, wishing you a great 2015 Christmas

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Originally Posted by scouponer

Stocked up on paper, boxes, bags, bows, and tape. A few stocking stocking stuffers have been purchased but target let me down after Christmas this year with after Christmas one spot merch. Well we all know the target scoop which is causing me heart palpitations due to no more,70-90% clearance deals. Did pick up some toys for nieces and nephews and family we sponsor, and ornaments for my nieces from Bombay company at 70% off. Also picked up Christmas napkins and Christmas crackers and new candle holders for Christmas dinner table. Also ordered some clothes for niece and nephew from children's place at super prices and free shipping. So off and running.

dh saw a food show featuring food from CNE they made stuffing waffles with mashed potatoes turkey and gravy...thinks we should make for Christmas dinner. Lol.

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LOL....DH and I watched the same show "Carnival Eats" and they looked yummy!!

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Originally Posted by jasperandchar

:cheer2: thriftygranny I'm in shock :shock: awesome job :top:, talk about a stress free Christmas - the feeling must be amazing

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It is nice to not be stressed at Christmas it is such a busy and expensive time of year. i started keeping a small notebook in my purse this year of the things I have already purchased and things I am looking for for people. It is too easy to buy too much of something when you start this early!!

279 Days until Christmas

http://7428.net/wp-content/uploads/2...015-Vector.jpg 278 days, who's excited (lol)