Christmas Panic (Page 2)

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I have minimal cash this year, and everyone knows it. SOOOO, I got the adults to draw two names each, and I think we've agreed to give each other wine, we all like it. And as for the kids--I now have eleven nieces and nephews. I'm writing each family's worth of kids a story with them as the heros, and I'm getting a graphic artist friend of mine to do the layout and illustration for a nominal fee (I'm buying her wine, too). There are places that will bind the books for not much money. I think it's something they'll treasure (at least that's the hope). I'm really enjoying doing it, so it's been much more meaningful to me than buying the latest Power Ranger Playstation whatever. And this year, it won't take me until April to pay off Christmas.

Add this to the list of why it's great to be a guy. Christmas gifts?

a)Coworkers - good firm handshake accompanied with a hearty "Merry Christmas."

b)Gift exchanges you buy a cheesy Christmas DVD - you don't even have to wrap it. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles will do nicely.

c)Extended family gets cards. Wifey takes care of this.

d)Immediate family (sister/mom/dad) gets cards a and maybe $50-$100 in gifts.

e)Wifey - Here I gotta make up for my scroogyness. If I don't, I'd be kicked out on the front lawn by Mrs. Claus come Christmas morning. I usually do a kick a$$ stocking. All gifts that chicks want come in small packages. Thrown in her favorite candies,gift certificates,coffees,etc and I come off as a stud. Then it's upstairs to exercise if you know what I mean...

Have I left anything out?!?!?! Basically a, b, and c get the shaft so that d and e (the people that matter) get cool stuff.

Rock on.

If your friends appreciate gestures here is something I did one year...

I went to the book shop and got a whole pile of Mr Men/Little Miss Books - one for each person: Mr Messy, Little Miss Sunshine etc - picked each one based on personality and then wrote on the inside of each one....

It was like a card and book combined and I think they were only about $2 a book! PLus it shows a lot of though - so maybe something along those lines???

Last year I made custom Christmas music CDs and they were a huge hit. This is easy to do if you have iTunes or similar program on your computer. I scanned in wrapping paper and used the pattern for the CD label and jewel case front cover. For the back cover, I listed the songs. I didn't need to wrap it because the front cover was the "wrapping." Then I got some pretty ribbon and wrapped it around the case.

To make the labels and jewel case inserts I used the CD stomper.

http://www.labelcd.com/

I know this is probably technically distribution of music rather than copies for personal use, but it was just to friends and family so I rationalized doing it.

- Heidi

>All gifts that chicks want come in small packages.

Uh, I don't think so. This chick wants a kayak, snowshoes, and caving gear.

Learning to knit has saved me a lot in christmas buying. Basically I can give people tons of stuff because it only costs 5 or 6 bucks for a scain of yarn.

Rock on Adventuress! I hear ya'! A bike rack would do just fine for me...and ditto on the snowshoes!

Should have bought abunch of coral do dahs for everyone.  or something like that....or order some stuff from hawaii, like Macadamin nuts...   My third edit.  ignore me, i'm in wine intoxication.

Edited by BellinghamSpence 2005-10-21 1:24 AM

You said it, adventuress--I want new wetsuits (diving and tri), a kayak and a bike rack.

I hate xmas shopping. Most of the peoplein my circle have all they want and i despise buying them crap i know they won't use. i despise receiving crap I know i won't use. I would rather spend the time with them any day.

Things I've done in the past include:
1. making donations to charities that are dear to my heart or their in their name. I know the money is going somewhere where it will do good.

2. This year, though, someone gave me a great idea. I ordered most of my family members Emergency Preparedness Kits from the American Red Cross http://www.pcxhost.com/store/st7/tp8/home.jsp?unique=1129912876453&... think about it. We know it's something we all should have somewhere in the house, but how many of us have any kit of any shape or form anywhere in case of an emergency?

yeah, I know it ain't sexy and I know it could be considered a tad macabre, but with what's happened the last year I think we're all a little more aware of what *could* happen in our own backyard. Out here on the west coast we're just waiting for the next "big one." It's been pretty damn quiet for too damn long.