[lauren in hi]

Have you started? If so, when? If not, when do you think you will? Is anyone cutting back this year?

[LisanAndy]

I'll be starting in the next month or so and we have such a huge family with all my nephews and siblings that we're only buying for Taylor. The grandparents will buy for our kids but no sharing between adults. Andy and I will get something small for each other this year.

I started about a month ago. Got a few little things. And have ordered more today. This yr I'm trying not to spend a whole lot as we can't really afford to with baby coming soon.

I had a neat idea this year... I'm making up mini food hampers for my parents, DHs parents, DHs sister/hubby, and 2 anuties. Some smaller things that one would perhaps not normally buy - chutney and oatcakes, etc. I ordered a box of mini chocolate sweets today, so I'll split them out over each hamper. We'll see how it goes. I know the local supermarket here has tiny "trial" size pots of jams etc so I can get a few of those to put in.

[lauren in hi]

I want to cut back also. If I was crafty, I would make ornaments and give something small w/ them like a $5 giftcard or some kind of food item. I think Brant is going to spend less on his friends, and I also want us to spend less on each other, although we haven't discussed that yet. I think I am going to spend a little less on non-immediate family. Abby is having Christmas pics done in 2 weeks, so I am thinking maybe just a framed pic or something small and a wallet-sized pic. But I will probably spend the normal amounts on the immediate families. I want to get the same things for certain groups of people (co-workers, Brant's friends, my friends, extended family) just to make it easier. I have 2 porfolios due at the beginning of December, and I don't want to stress too much this year. I want to do more family stuff and fun things because this will be the last time we have time off together before baby's arrival.

Tip I learnt from our wedding photos... get one professional picture, and if you can scan the photo onto your PC, and buy photo quality ink and paper, it's soooo much cheaper than buying the pro photos for family members.

[*JenJen*]

I'm done, except for finishing up two remaining calendars and sending them to print, and I will finish them this week. I have to be done early here. I still need to get stocking stuffers, etc. but everything else is done.

[Frozendesire]

We will for sure be doing a smaller Christmas then last year. It was Curtis' first and we went crazy! haha. I just want to get him a few key things and some little things. Something for James and his parents and then cards with a family picture for everyone else.

We haven't started yet. We wont till after James' birthday which is Nov 25.

[Mjp121212]

Hey I'm the Christmas post maker LOL j/k! I've been making Christmas posts for 2 months LOL!

YES I have! And as far as cutting back-----I'm always a frugal gift shopper! So no need to really.

[Mars]

I haven't started yet...I'm way behind this year.

[ANGWife]

I bought my first present last week. I cannot absolutely WAIT for Black Friday!!!! It's actually mostly what I think about right now.

[~Caroline~]

I haven't bought anything yet, I usually wait until December! I'm making a few knitted gifts for my family so I really need to start working on that soon. I want to make mittens for my mom and sister and a hat for my stepdad. I also found a cute pattern for Christmas gnomes and I'd like to make a bunch of them but we'll see if I have the time.

[petalfuzz]

Yes, we're cutting back, hopefully! Last year we all decided to spend only $10 per person but said you could spend more if you wanted. It worked well. Smaller Christmas puts more emphasis on what's really important, imo! If we could get away without having to buy gifts at all, I'd be all for it.

[..Christine..]

We are seriously cutting back this year! Finances are really tight right now! We are only buying for immediate family and not buying for each other this year! We usually don't start shopping until December.

[ShannonMVT]

Ack, I've got a lot of shopping to do. So far I have part of my MIL's gift and one niece's gift. I need to get started because there may be some things I end up ordering online.

As far as cutting back, probably not. Although we did start a thing with my siblings and siblings in law last year that each person only buys for one other person that cuts out a couple people to buy for. We draw names at Thanksgiving so I have to wait on that.

[*kyle*]

I did most of my Christmas shopping in May this year... in Italy. We got everyone a small souveneir which we gave them right after the trip, and a more expensive gift for Christmas.

[soImarriedAnerd]

Since we never see anyone till after Christmas for exchanges we wait to shop after christmas (great sales!) plus we know what everyone got so we can make sure to get something no one else did.

[Emma&Jack's Momma]

I started getting some small stuff for my cousin's kids (the only ones I am buying for except my neice and nephews) and of course, Emma! I don't think I will even get stuff for DH this year...things are tight for our family, too!

[lauren in hi]

Tip I learnt from our wedding photos... get one professional picture, and if you can scan the photo onto your PC, and buy photo quality ink and paper, it's soooo much cheaper than buying the pro photos for family members.[/b]

We actually got a pretty good package deal, and I'm one who always orders more pics than we need, so I may not need to get extras. But that is a good tip, Fi!