Christmas Wrapped

It was the second annual trip to Target Photo to make Christmas cards!!! A beautiful sunny, snowy morning a week ago had my fiance and I running out the the local garden store to buy a holiday wreath, and then run to the park with our Rottweiler, Bella. A bunch of shots later, we got a great one – the wreath perched on her head, her introspective yet curious gaze into the camera lens – perfect!! We went home and uploaded the shot to a CD, and then headed over to Target!! There were a ton of great choices, we finally settled on a dark green with a little holly to match the picture. Half an hour later – 100 beautiful cards and silver-lined envelopes. One silver Sharpie and 100 stamps later – all our friends and family know we are thinking of them this holiday season!!

My “good start” to the holiday season will involve checking all the tips and tricks posted by the fantastic authors here. Can’t wait to read more–Thank you!

My wife and I over spent last year so this year, especially now that the economy is rocky, we are sticking to a budget and finding ways to save.

We have family all over the world and this year, instead of shipping gifts, we’re telling our relatives to buy their kids something nice and to tell them they are from us.

Every year I make a quilt for one of my family members. So in January on the 25th I choose the person. Then on the 25th of every month I bring out the quilt and work on it – so that by Thanksgiving it is done.

Around September 25th – the “gift for the 25th” – makes me start thinking about other gifts. All of my children get a pair of pajamas. Sometimes made, most-times purchased.

I have my kids help me shop for the cousins, and we wrap the childrens presents in pillowcases.

It’s a cure-all for a much less stressful holiday.

You spend more time thinking about what your “elf” really would like, you spend less money overall even though you may spend more on this one gift (and who can’t afford to save some $$ this year), it’s great to tease everyone and work together to keep the secret santas a secret. And with less gifts to buy it SOOO MUCH LESS STRESSFUL!!!