Anyone wrapping Christmas gifts yet?

Just got through wrapping afew presents! I try to wrap as I buy but I'm getting a little behind. Don't like to do this Christmas Eve!

Congratulations on being so efficient. I usually say I hate people doing Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving, but time goes so fast that I find myself thinking about it at least, but I certainly don't get any wrapping done this early. You will have time to enjoy the Holidays while I am still scurrying around. Maybe someday I'll get with it. Nah!!! Lou

you must be joking!! LOL

Halloween is just over. the week before Christmas is time enough.

Mark

Now how am I suppose to wrap something that I don't have yet? LOL no really I do have a few "Santa" items in the attic but Santa doesn't wrap presents hee hee
As for all my other presents, well now I do wait until the last minute to wrap those. If I wrap them too early I forget what the present is..LOL guess I could put sticky notes on each one telling what is on the inside, but it would be my luck the person that the present was for would see it and the sticky note would spoil the surprise. Guess I will wait a while!

Mollybee

I started my Chrismtas shopping last week.. haven't start wrap yet but will do after Thanksgiving, set up Christmas tree before Thanksgiving...

Most of our shopping is done and nearly half of it wrapped. By this time next week, I'll have most all of it wrapped. For us, it's timing. I'm driving to Illinois for Thanksgiving and it makes more sense to have it all ready and take it up rather than pay the post office to mail it. Many other presents were wrapped and sent with my in-laws when they were down here a couple of weeks ago. Again, just saves on shipping costs. Plus, we'll enjoy the holidays a lot more not stressing over what to buy for whom.

Smiln32, I thought I was doing good but your Number1! I did a little more when I got home from work. I need to get some more paper. I bought some tissue paper and more tags tonight!

I am so proud of myself! Most years (in fact, ALL years in recent memory) I have waited until a week or two before Christmas to START shopping. And yes, that meant a marathon wrapping session, often on Christmas Eve. Yuck!

I have already purchased gifts for my nephews, my parents, my inlaws, and some of our siblings. Plus a few things for each of our kids. DH and I are giving each other a combined anniversary/Christmas present of a new TV for the den (the last TV we purchased for the den was the year our 16 YO son was a baby, so it's time!) That means all I have left is to make some peanut brittle for FIL, some beef jerky for my BIL's, and Santa gifts for the kids.

I'm already feeling much more relaxed and ready to anticipate the fun of the season instead of dreading it like I usually do!

I am ready to start wrapping. I have almost everything purchased. Only a few last min. things to buy. I start shopping the day after Christmas and keep it up until I have enough bought for everyone. That way I can take advantage of the sales all year and I also buy things that my kids and grandkids and hubby like in totally new condition at garage sales. Many still are in the packages or have the tags still on them. I sort things into large plastic bins that I label and store in my barn. I have a master list for reference so that I can keep up with what I have for everyone. Each gift is given a number after it is wrapped and tagged. That way, if I have to open one it is numbered and that is easier than trying to remember which package it is. I start wrapping usually about now and put them back in the bins without bows. All that remains to be done to them when they are dragged out is to put on the bows. That is kind of fun, believe it or not. Working in this manner, it is really easier because the wrapping and tagging is one operation and putting on bows is another.
I have worked on my system for many years, have it pretty much perfected for my use and this works well for me. That reminds me, it is time to start cooking and freezing food for the holidays. Man, I feel like I am really behind as I still need to clean out the freezer.

This message was edited Monday, Nov 12th 8:48 PM

I remember when there was a time that I had my Christmas shopping all done before the 1st of September.I would start buying gifts the first of the year and if I seen something throughout the year I would go ahead and get it right away and by the time September was here,I was finished with my Christmas shopping; everything wrapped and stored in the spare closet. Then there was a time when we weren't able to do any shopping till Christmas Eve. I think we will keep things very simple this year....everyone gets money.(Sorry,just family members only).

Aw Shucks CoCo! I was waiting for my check from you to arrive. Are you sure you don't want to change your mind about the family members only thingie?

Just Joshing Ya! But you can send money to me anytime if you have a change of heart. No Problem! LOL!

Will think loooooooooooong and haaaaaaaaaard on that one. Piece of advice tho. Don't hold your breath while you're waiting.(not a good thing to do that).

Awwwwhhhh! Glad you told me as I was turning blue.

My Mom use to start buying right after Christmas! She would wait for sales. She always was way ahead of the rest of the family!

I've only picked up a few little things here and there. I learned a long time ago not to buy my kid's presents too early because they always change their mind and I have the wrong gift for them. So, theirs wait until a week or two before Christmas.

Wrap! What does that mean. I like to throw mine in a bag or box. I HATE wrapping gifts because I am so bad at it and it makes me crazy. ARGH

Sorry, I had to post again. I would love to buy gifts ahead of time but some of my Grandkids informed me they want money. What happened to being happy and showing appreciation for what you get? I am so tickled anyone thinks of me that I like anything I receive. I also have one daughter that is never happy with what you get her and a son also. I hate buying for them. I try and try to wrack my brain but don't seem to come up with something they like. I get tired of trying.

Ahhhh! Honibee, Maybe just giving the money in a neat or unusual package will be better than just handing them the money. You could add some personal small gift also. For instance if they need a billfold you could put the money in the billfold. If they need a pot or pan you could put the money in the pan. Tuck the money in a special book as a bookmark, etc. If that is truly what they want then give them money and try to be happy about it. I know that is what we really needed for many years and we were able to buy things we really needed for everyone. Sometimes part of it had to be used for necessities but we appreciated it just the same.

HoniBee, that is what gift certificates are for! My oldest niece is 16 and I KNOW I can't buy her clothes for her - I am just not "with it". I usually get her gift certificate for her favorite store and for the movies also. At least with gift certificates I know she will be getting something she needs and wants, but with cash she would just blow it on food at the mall.

Gift certificates are great to "hard to buy for" adults too. If your daughter and SIL have a hobby/pastime they enjoy, perhaps a gift certificate to let them purchase something. For instance, I'm getting my mom and dad a gift certificate for Park Seed, since they both enjoy gardening, and can order some seeds/plants "guilt-free". Or a magazine subscription related to their interests?

I also do food gifts for our adult siblings - homemade beef jerky and nut brittle in pretty jars are always a hit, and I know they get used.

I agree gift certificates are a nice gift for the hard to buy for. If they like money well than give it to them. I would put it in a huge box and put it in the bottom! Merry Christmas!!!!

My oldest daugher is 20 and in college. I asked her the other day what she wanted for Christmas. The only two things she could come up with was money, and (get this) the Shrek movie! She's 20, but still loves the animated movies. So, at least she did give me something I can wrap, and I will enclose some money too.

Since I'm not working I didn't have any money to even think about Christmas. My kids said "Mom that's alright, don't worry about it" They are the sweetest at age 9 and 11. My DBF(Dear Boy Friend) gave me some christmas money to spend on them. So I've been going to stores trying to find what's on sale and have wrapped a few things for them. It's not going to be much this christmas but at least it will be something :o)
I always say that my DBF is an angel that was sent to me because of all my hardships in the past and he's here to help me better my life. He's a gift, I really believe that. I may not be the kind to pray and many times don't know what to believe in anymore, but that I do believe!!

Dear Flowox,
We can grow stronger through our hardships. If you will just lean on the Lord you can make it through anything. I don't think I could have ever survived if I had'nt had the Lord to lean on. If you believe in Him and pray for guidance and strength He will give it to you. Some of our best Christmases have been when we had the least money to spend. We did the recycling things to make gifts, make it from nature gifts, handmade gift certificates of promised things to do for someone later, making home baked cookies and foods, trimming the tree we cut in the woods with paper chains and other ornaments we made, singing carols together, watching special programs on TV, going to church vesper services on Christmas Eve,and on and on. Memories are made of things like that and not necessarily from the gifts that were bought at the store. Oh, and by the way, Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. Email me if you want to "talk".

flowox, I agree with Elena. Home made things are great gifts. My youngest daughter made me a Christmas present and she already gave it to me. It's a beautiful swag which I'm going to put over my door! It's a Christmas one and will go with my color scheme. She makes grat things and I really love them because she made them!!!

If you want to give money anyways, I've seen this packaged and its great. Go to the Bank and ask for new bills in whatever denomination you'd like. Rember when we were kids and folded construction paper back and forth to make fans? Its the same principal here. Fold the money back and forth using the smallest amount of bill and still make a fold. If you use a ruler its a little easier to make the crease. Then put severals fan bills together and spray with cologne or perfume. Gift wrap in tissue paper. I suppose you could do origami as well but I think that most of those items require a square sheet of paper. Good luck and happy folding.
/Regards Annie

WOW ANNIE, GREAT IDEA! SOME PEOPLE ARE SO CREATIVE!