Let's get started on Christmas...

[Mary Webber]

I keep seeing neat little things that I KNOW I should get ahead for the holidays. I also KNOW this is the time for those let's-cut-back-our-gift-exchanges-this-year letters! I'm hoping that you all will share good- and cheap- gift ideas.

I'll start by saying that our garden will supply a number of presents from herbal vinegars to pesto to dried flower wreaths. And you? Please share your good ideas!

[Xin Lu]

my hubby and I put $100 a month in a gift account so when it comes time for Christmas we can afford to buy stuff for the family or spend it on ourselves. The gift account is really just part of our savings account, but we write it down on a spreadsheet as "set aside for gifts".

[Looby]

Yay! I'm all about getting started for Christmas early. As my family and family-in-law live overseas I get all my presents sorted by the end of October so that I can send them surface mail.
My friends and I do not exchange presents, we just get together for a potluck and games night in someone's house.
My partner and I only exchange small token gifts, and then treat ourselves to dinner at our favourite French restaurant.
I also always buy for an Angel tree, my mum does it too and we compare notes, that way I get to participate a little in the crazy December shopping!
I don't really have helpful hints for bargain gift ideas, although I do try and make at least part of people's gifts, I mostly prefer to limit the amount of gifts, which thankfully my family is fine with. I think if there were children to buy for it would be a little different but I'm the youngest in either family.

[Mary Webber]

Ahhh, Looby, you sound so sensible! What is an "Angel tree"? Do you get the names and ages of a family in need to buy for?

I like the idea of a potluck gathering for the holidays, and hope someone will share ideas for gatherings like this with a purpose...a cookie exchange, an ornament decorating get-together.

Xin Lu mentioned regular, budgeting savings for gifts and the gift-giving season. Sounds similar to what the banks used to offer as Christmas Clubs. They paid interest on those weekly or monthly deposits too. Wish someone would bring that idea back!

[Megan]

In my family, we start thinking about Christmas in January. Throughout the year, I'm always on the lookout for gift ideas for my friends and family. I don't like the idea of gift giving because you have to give - it's better to give something thoughtful. So throughout the year, I'm looking for things that would appeal to the various people in my life. This often means I spend less because I pick up things here and there, things I know will be enjoyed and are not expensive. I don't have to deal with the "Oh no, I forgot so and so!" spending. I've already got a little box of things that I've picked up, and I've got some ideas of things to get at an upcoming craft fair as well.

[Looby]

@ Mary- Ha, I think sensible becomes essential the first time the post person tells you it will be $130 to mail your packages with a guarantee of Christmas delivery, even though it is the beginning of November!
Yes an Angel Tree is covered in little paper angels, each with the name and age of a needy child, they are usually in malls or local banks, you pick an angel and buy a gift suitable for that age and return it to the mall or bank. It's a lot of fun, growing up, my mum got matching angels for my brother and I and we helped pick their item.
Christmas Clubs are still fairly common in the UK, but a couple of years ago, one went bankrupt in November and the people who had been saving lost most of their money.

[Mary Webber]

I like your idea, Megan, but I've - more than once - lost my box of early presents only to find it the following June... What I realized I had to do is make a list, always the best place to start, I guess. I so often see something that's just perfect for someone I really hadn't planned on gifting, and I do so love to give presents that it can become a budget-breaker.

I so agree with the thoughtfulness of a present, and start really looking around now as the end-of-summer sales are in full swing, great especially for the fisherfolk on my list and other sports lovers. Too early to start stocking up on Red Sox gear as they just might go post-season again! I just picked up some t-shirts at the dollar store and computer-ready iron-on transfers to use for this summer's favorite family phrase.

[Mary Webber]

Hey Looby,

For $130 I'd mail myself to someone for Christmas! WOW! I will tell you that I've been saving the gazillion big and small plastic bags that (unfortunately) come with everything, as I use these bags as packing material.

One of my daughters always does the angel tree where she works and I suspect there will be a lot more very real need this year. I guess that's something to think about and plan for too. Throughout the year, I make knit blankets and also make quilts for Project Linus and donate them in people's names. My grandchildren donate books to their library each year in Bert's and my names, something we both really appreciate.

There are so, so many ways to be thoughtful and give gifts that reach far beyond the actual recipient! AND save money!

[DistilledRose]

I guess I should start the Christmas knitting.
It feels like we just did this!

[lucille]

Out extended family doesn't try to send gifts to everyone else any longer. That really helps cut down on everyone's expenditures. Cards and newsletters are fine with me. Our kids are older so we have cut down to maybe one gift for each person from all the others.
That may not fit everyone's idea or desire for a holiday but it has worked well for us and certainly lowered the stress level.