So here goes, some of the things that I do in advance so that I can really reflect on Christ's Birth and of course enjoy my friends and family and NOT be swamped by all the last minute things, even though they still come up, hey I am just a mother not a perfect one.
1. Start with a list, I love lists, who are you giving gifts to and come up with some fun ideas.
2. I start baking the Christmas goodies, as soon as Thanksgiving over and freeze them, taking them out a few days before I need to start packaging them for the recipients.
3. Start making home made gifts now, grandparents love these, we always make something with photographs; calendars, coasters, wall hangings, quilts with pictures, and even sometimes art from the kids.
4. Keep a closet, tub, bin, shelf or whatever you have room for filled with fun things that you can make baskets or stockings for children you may know, stamps, tablets, stickers, puzzles, bubbles, hair bows, airplane gliders, the list can go forever. These items packaged in a pretty little package are a big hit!
5. Stock up on school supplies when they go on sale. We home school and our children love to create things so markers, tablets, folders, binders, crayons, pencils, sharpeners, fun erasers, colored pencils, rulers, construction paper, glue, you name it these all make such fun gifts.
6. Stock up on journals these make great gifts for the special girls and women in your life and some pens and tie it off with a pretty bow and viola great gift.
7. My teenager and preteen love clothes, so I buy a size larger when there is a great sale and save them for the holidays, in my closet.
8. Nightstand books are always great, I love the Chicken Soup Series, and you can usually find some great deals at Borders and Barnes and Noble. There is always a small book, that will remind you of someone special in your life.
9. Gift cards seem to be the rage, so buy one when you can and just keep adding to your pile, it will grow quickly.
10. Homemade Gifts I like to make.....advent calendars, gift baskets, notepad holders, speciality frames, book marks, photo calendars, planners, soap, candles, bath salts, sugar scrubs, salt scrubs the list goes on and on as I just like to create.
Doing a little work over the course of the year means no shopping with the crowds at the last minute, and most importantly more time for the best stuff, your friends and family!
Please share your tips with us, we would love to learn from you too!
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