Oh Goodie!!!!
What didja get me?? Can I peek?

I hate you.

Just kidding of course........good for you!!!

I hope to finish next week, I'm running late this year.

I quit buying like I used to.

Downsized the amt I spend and the number of gifts I give.

Am downsizing also this year. But then we don't need anything either.

I started downsizing a few years ago in preparation for our retirement~~I am very happy with how much we spend now and what we give~~~feels alot less stressful;)

I only give gifts to the young kids-like age 6 and under. There are 4 in my family-all cousins. I wrote everyone else that I'd rather not exchange gifts this year. At one point, we gave cash to our nephews and nieces, and that ended up being a round robin. We gave our brothers and sisters children gifts of cash and bros and sisses gave our kids cash. Plus, what gift do you give a 20 year old? We now have nephews over 30.

BRAT!!!!!! LOL!!

Good for you! Mine is pretty much finished too except for one thing that will get ordered online and some gift cards. Shopping is the fun part for me... now comes the Christmas letters, cards, gift wrapping, invites for a party we are throwing and the decorating. ACK!

Well, I went to Kohls today and bought a bunch of stuff. It was rather annoying because at first there weren't any available carts. Had to hold everything and my arms were aching. Finally went up to a person who worked there and asked how I got one. She found an abandoned one nearby, took the stuff out and gave it to me. I was so grateful. The line went pretty fast too, which surprised me because it was so long.

I have a hard time believing all the stuff I bought cost over $900, though. That's what I paid and they said I saved with their sale prices. I think they just jack the prices way up and then put them "on sale".

I still have more to buy, though. Went to Wal-Mart to get the rest of our Thanksgiving dinner (we're having our's tomorrow since I had to work the past three days) and picked up a few stocking stuffers. I have to buy stockings for the exchange students, does anyone know a store that sells cute ones? All I've seen are really ugly.

I was in the middle of wrapping the gifts when the girls came home! They weren't supposed to come home till tomorrow. Before I could gather all the stuff up and put it away, that darn Lauren had come in through the sunroom/backyard! She had her eyes closed when I turned and saw her so not sure how much she saw. Grrr! She left again to go back to her dad's and Maria and Johanna stayed. We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening cooking most of tomorrow's dinner. All we have left is the turkey, gravy and yeast rolls. Yeah!

Jasdip, you'll have to come back for another visit to see if I got you anything! LOL! Basically, we bought for my Grandsons. We each drew names from our family and my DSon-in-laws family (we do all our celebrating together). So other than DH, I only have one adult to buy for. The boys, on the other hand, are the ones we splurged on. But I kept to my promised budget, and all is done now.

I can't believe I'm nearly finished but for 3 more and they are restaurant gift certs! Never happened. Had a brain storm in night that works for me, anyway. Went to Costco last night (place empty more or less - great) bought 7 foodie gift baskets and two large bags of their wonderful candied pecan/cranberry mix and one cosmetic gift bag for D-GD. All family $$ this year I have given (anonymously) toward a family's funeral expenses. None of our kids & G-kids need anything whatsoever.

It's a financially strapping year for us with the house build. We are cutting back and everyone knows why. DH's brother lost his job a few months back and he's cash strapped to. But then I've always said the best part of the whole holiday season is getting together with all the family when we can and enjoying ourselves. Sitting down at the table together is really important in our rushed world.
I love to have fun with the stocking stuffers, baking cookies. I do enjoy all of the xmas decor everywhere.

Most of the family we buy gifts for are now into gift cards so it's easy on that front. But I still like everyone to have something to unwrap, no matter how small. Even if they are gag gifts or handmade.

I have changed over the last few years to ask for donations to be made to animal shelters on my behalf, even for my b'day. I've got so much stuff. Too much sometimes.

But then there is the thrill of shopping in decorated stores for those who don't mind crowds.

Oh, I am glad your shopping is done. Now you can relax.

Cheers,
Peggy

We made a change last year and stopped exchanging presents. Now we do the Dirty Santa. Everybody likes that and at TG dinner yesterday they were talking and laughing about what they were going to do, including regifting.

So this is working out well for us.

Sue

For the first time, we're doing the Dirty Santa, Rob your Neighbour....exchange thing.

We're really looking forward to it. So essentially mine is about done. Except for something for hubby.

PLEASE come and finish mine! I'm down to a few that I have no ideas. Waiting on my goddaughter (elf) to come and wrap everything else! We have a 2 year old here this year, can't wait for Santa!

There is a word for people like you!!!!!!!!...........

..............................................................

..................................................SMART

Congrats. I haven't even thought about it yet. Dh is in the hospital for over a month. Started off as appendectomy. Now three surgeries later, a colostomy bag( which they say will be reversed. he has kidney troubles as well due to all of this. I am getting lawyer. Don't know how to go about it. But will find out. So no Christmas shopping for us this year.