Planning for Christmas

After seeing a lot of posts about Christmas I pulled out a binder this morning and decided that I should start planning.

First, I wrote a list of all of the people that I need to buy for. Then next to their name I wrote out a budget on how much I wanted to spend on each person, max. I was shocked on the total $1,200! So I looked at the numbers and rewrote them and was able to take $200 off that total pretty easy so we are now at $1,000. Which is still more than I wanted to spend but after I start shopping the sales I should be able to knock some more money off that total. I do most of my shopping on black Friday so that really helps. (So far I have $50 paypal cash outs from gather saved, $35 in amazon gift cards from swagbucks and $55 in rebates that should be back before Christmas)

Then on another sheet I wrote down ideas that I had for people. So far that is a really short list.

I only have two gifts that I need to mail. My nieces in Arizona and Paul's grandparents in Tennessee. So I made a separate to do list for that. I want to have these in the mail by December 5 in hopes of avoiding long lines at the post office. ;)

I wrote out a full to do list.

Then I started a list of gifts that I want to make for Christmas. Looks like three small scrapbooks, photo frame that is scrapbooked and some scrabble pendant necklaces that I seen other people make and loved the idea.

Now I am printing a November and December calendar off so that I can add it to the notebook to keep track of all of my important dates and deadlines.

I also need to make a list of the gifts that I already have on hand. Wrap what I do have little by little to avoid a last minute scramble.

How do you keep organized during the Holiday's? Do you write out a budget for the Holiday's? Any tips?

Comments: 22

j - Frugal Mom - r. Oct 27, 2009, 10:43am EDT

I am so happy that I got all my gifts for my family overseas done and delivered:) I started in January.

Did you ever consider using Amazon for the gifts you need to ship, and then just send separate notes?

j - Frugal Mom - r. Oct 27, 2009, 10:43am EDT

I have a spot in my closet, where I collect the gifts I find throughout the year, and it really helps out, when it comes down to delivery time that I do not have to get it all done at once. It also helps big time with the finances.

j - Frugal Mom - r. Oct 27, 2009, 10:44am EDT

Oh and I have a little notebook where I write down ideas and the names, that way I can always check it of if I find something on a great deal.

Cecilia Lyne Oct 27, 2009, 11:12am EDT

I have a bin in the basement that I gifts in throught out the year. I have lots of little random stocking stuffers this year already so I am happy about that.

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Marsha S. Oct 27, 2009, 11:31am EDT

I am working on these quilts.....8 in total and I have 3 more to complete.
I am so ready to get out my notebook and write out who all I need to give to, get out my gift tote and see what I have for who so far.
I've even bought some wrapping paper and ready to start wrapping the gifts too!

Cecilia Lyne Oct 27, 2009, 1:12pm EDT

Sounds lovely
I have enough gift wrap to wrap gifts all this year and next year too. LOL

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Adelaide M. Oct 27, 2009, 11:40am EDT

I have a notebook that I keep all year long that has ideas for gifts for each person. I also shop throughout the year so I write down what I bought in the same notebook. I keep all of the presents in my storage room on shelves(I don't have kids to contend with, so keep that in mind if you do).

I try to budget, and I keep an idea in mind for each person, but I'll admit I go over it pretty much every year. Since it's not an outpouring of money all at the end of the year, it's not so bad but I'd still like to cut back some.

Good luck!

Cecilia Lyne Oct 27, 2009, 1:12pm EDT

This is the 1st year I have wrote up a budget so we shall see how it goes.

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Christine Z. Oct 27, 2009, 12:01pm EDT

You are super organized!!! I should learn from you! :)

Cecilia Lyne Oct 27, 2009, 1:13pm EDT

I am trying ;)

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Christine Z. Oct 27, 2009, 12:01pm EDT

I try to keep a budget and will make a list - but that's it!!!! :(

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Monica H. Oct 27, 2009, 12:12pm EDT

I buy gifts the whole year long on Clearance or if I see a really good deal on something that I know a family member would love. That way in November and December I only have a few things left to purchase.

I am also a major list maker. I have to write down the presents I have already wrapped and who they are for or I forget what is in the presents. ha ha

Cecilia Lyne Oct 27, 2009, 1:13pm EDT

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DarkBeauty 73 Oct 27, 2009, 12:31pm EDT

Sounds like you got a good handle on things. I do the same thing. Just got the kids last minute things to get. Bought the big stuff a couple weeks ago. I tend to stay on budget for all but myself and hubby. Granted alot of the time we don't get much. Christmas for us is the kids. We can get what we want or need throughout the year.

Cecilia Lyne Oct 27, 2009, 4:57pm EDT

Christmas is mostly for the kids too in our family but we have a big family. LOL

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Michelle S. Oct 27, 2009, 12:50pm EDT

i'm a list-aholic. i've established a budget for each of the grandkids for this year. (something new for me that i'm having a hard time sticking to!!)
i buy things throughout the year when i see good deals & keep things stashed in my closet. the stockings are pretty much done except for some candy. 4 out of the 6 grandkids are done; the other 2 i have outfits for but not a toy. my mother is done & i think i have my mil done. the 6 adult kids & their spouses are done. everything is written down thank goodness!!
time to start wrapping!!

Cecilia Lyne Oct 27, 2009, 1:14pm EDT

wow I am impressed

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ashley a. Oct 27, 2009, 2:30pm EDT

I'm done 98% of my shopping. My son's birthday is dec 7th, his party is the 12th and im throwing a bridal shower in dec 13th and a bacherlette party dec 19th. Dec. would be an expensive month for me if i waited to start buying things until now lol. I shop all year long as i see sales, i have a master list of everyone i shop for and as i buy things for different people i check them off the list. I do have a budget but sometimes i go over or under on certain people depending on the sales i find or what they want. Both dh and i have huge families so we spend quite a bit on gifts, but we can afford it, I would never go into debt for christmas:)

Cecilia Lyne Oct 27, 2009, 5:02pm EDT

I am only shopping with "cash" this year. Jacobs preschool sells script (giftcards that gives us a % off next years tution) so I am planning on buying the giftcards to do some of my shopping so we will get the cash back his schooling. Hopefully all of the gift cards that our family and us have bought will really add up by next year. Today I just bought walmart (where we shop for food and supplies ) , a few resturants and some gas cards today. Woo Hoo.

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Carla B. Oct 27, 2009, 6:08pm EDT

We don't do much Christmas shopping for anyone outside of our own immediate family. My siblings and I stopped buying stuff for each other years ago, and my husband and his sister don't exchange gifts either. So we just have the two nieces, parents, my little sister (she's Elliott's favorite, so he wants to buy her something), Elliott's best friends, and then Elliott does crafts for a couple of other people (our elderly neighbor we make cookies for, and Elliott does a craft and a couple of color sheets, which she proudly displays in her window).

I've already sent money to my little sister for her present, my nieces' presents, and my parents' presents. Elliott picked out what he wanted, and then told Auntie Darla what he wanted and where it was sold. That way we don't have to pay for shipping. For Elliott, we already have a large tote full of presents that I've bought on sale and clearance throughout the year. I just ordered his big Santa presents from Kohl's, so they will be here soon. We've also already bought both of his best friends something, and bought several things for the Angel tree this year as well. I still have about $75 in cash, a $50 Target giftcard, $35 in Amazon giftcards, about $70 in paypal, and a $25 Walmart giftcard that will be used for shopping. I should also be receiving a $100 check, a $50 check, and a $10 check, along with a $100 giftcard, and a $50 giftcard in plenty of time for Christmas. They will all be used for Christmas gifts for my husband and me, last minute things for Elliott, and then Elliott's birthday (5 weeks after Christmas).