Has anyone started Christmas shopping yet?

**Pinot's Mom** · 10-20-2009, 11:22 AM

Christmas shopping is rather minimal in our house. We came to an agreement many years ago in our families that we all DON'T NEED ANYTHING! So, we do little gift baskets with consumables that will be used, and call it a day. We're all very blessed and fortunate and would rather put resources where they're needed elsewhere.

**Cataholic** · 10-20-2009, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Pinot's Mom

Christmas shopping is rather minimal in our house. We came to an agreement many years ago in our families that we all DON'T NEED ANYTHING! So, we do little gift baskets with consumables that will be used, and call it a day. We're all very blessed and fortunate and would rather put resources where they're needed elsewhere.

I so love this idea, and wish I could totally implement it everywhere! I like the idea of sponsoring those less fortunate- be they furry, skinned, known or otherwise.

**Grace** · 10-20-2009, 11:50 AM

Our list is short, but I do start in January. If I see something, I buy it then. Spreading the buying over the year makes it feel like you spend less.

We don't give to each other. Instead we give to a couple of charitable organizations dealing with animals and birds.

**Catty1** · 10-20-2009, 11:52 AM

**Asiel** · 10-20-2009, 12:04 PM

I've started buying a few items that I know is needed but we don't go overboard like we used to anymore. We also pool our money and donate to the animal shelter and I pick up items on sale year round so it makes quite a few huge boxes of stuff that they can really use. If someone mentions a special something I will jot it down and get it, otherwise we mostly get eatables also and for some we get bath stuff that I know they love. Besides that, being together is our biggest treat and we always invite someone who is alone to share our meal. We always try to get a homeless child to share the day also.

**cassiesmom** · 10-20-2009, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Pinot's Mom

Christmas shopping is rather minimal in our house. We came to an agreement many years ago in our families that we all DON'T NEED ANYTHING! So, we do little gift baskets with consumables that will be used, and call it a day. We're all very blessed and fortunate and would rather put resources where they're needed elsewhere.

I wish my family would do this. I haven't started Christmas anything yet. We will probably start rehearsing Advent music at church in the next couple of weeks.

**Nomilynn** · 10-20-2009, 08:17 PM

I voted yes, as I've done my budget.. haven't actually bought something yet.

**Daisy and Delilah** · 10-20-2009, 08:43 PM

For the last several years, we give each other maybe one gift, if that. All of us pick a family that needs help and we all pitch in for a local no kill shelter that needs help desperately.

So far, every year, we have contributed to the same family. It's a single Mom with a young boy with cancer and another son. Last year we bought them food for the holiday and tickets to Sea World. They had a blast and made us a little photo album of the trip.

We usually buy all kinds of pet food and supplies for the shelter but they need cash this year. That's what we'll do. Not as much as in the past but as much as we can spare.

My gifts this year will be quilted items I've either already made or will make.