Early Christmas Thoughts!

I LOVE Christmas shopping and everything else involved with the holiday!! But I actually like to be in the middle of the crowds, carrying lots of shopping bags right before Christmas-then coming home and wrapping all evening long-just makes it seem like the holidays. So I have about two months before I'll be starting!!Call me "crazy."

I'm another one who likes to wait until the Christmas spirit hits, usually not til the second weekend in December. I tend to spend less that way too - less time to run out for "one more thing"!

No ideas yet on gifts, but now that the kiddos are getting older, money seems to be the preferred choice. Being creative with the money gifts is my new challenge! How many ways can you conceal and wrap a $20 bill?

Last year we played a Christmas trivia game - every time you open a package with cash in it, you have to answer a Christmas related question. Get it right and you keep the cash... miss it, and the next one in line just might steal your gift! We made sure everybody ended the day with the right "gift", but it was a fun way to get some Christmas thinking back into the gift exchange.

One of these years we're going to take a wonderful family trip and forgo the gift giving altogether. The time together as a family is getting to be the best part of Christmas! I dream of a holiday spent snowed in somewhere in a warm, cozy cabin with a blazing fire... no phones, no TV, no hustle and bustle... anybody wanna join me?

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One of these years we're going to take a wonderful family trip and forgo the gift giving altogether. The time together as a family is getting to be the best part of Christmas! I dream of a holiday spent snowed in somewhere in a warm, cozy cabin with a blazing fire... no phones, no TV, no hustle and bustle... anybody wanna join me?

Well....this is what we are doing this year. Altho, a slightly different twist....think warm, tropical breezes, drinks with little umbrellas, turquoise ocean and sailing from port to port. We aren't forgoing the gift giving all together...but Santa will certainly leave alot less than usual under our tree this year. But, to us.....we realized that our kids really do not need anything material at this point in their lives, but family time.....it is priceless!

Luvbb - A family trip is a marvelous way to celebrate the holidays! Something I've always thought about but have never done.


Mythreesons - What a great twist on giving cash. I'll admit that I LOVE to shop for my loved ones and friends for the holidays. It is truly a joy for me to be able to find that "perfect" gift. I have never gone the cash or gift certificate route. However, with the added fun your family shares, I think that's a great gift exchange!

ORMom - I'm with you! It's a joyous time of year isn't it!!!

Tis' the season,.la di dah di dah dahhhhh....I'm liken' this post already!

Its NEVER too early to think about Christmas!

Fa la la la laaaaaa,...( woops... ok, so maybe its a tad-wee-bit too early for me to be belting out actual Christmas carols like a monotoned, off key, oversized, crazed, 6th grade boy, in the back of the Christmas pageant chorus line, who was told to " be louder ", ) so I'll keep my singing/humming to myself for now,..but come the day after Thanksgiving,..plug your ears ladies cause its a free for all after that, and it won't be pretty. They actually pay me NOT to sing happy birthday at parties!!! ha ha!

I have absolutely not one, new creative, exciting, or improved idea to post here. I am no help at all,...I stink at this!! You can bet that I will be continually checking in and taking notes.
I NEED ideas!! Help, help,...( first year oldest son will not be home for the holidays,..I am pouting already. Must make holidays fun for other two siblings still at home. ) Perhaps, shake up the ol' routine and take a trip to Florida where oldest son will be stationed?? Hmmm,..pretty pricey time of year to do that though,....but Xmas on the beach sounds dreamy. Could stay conservative and stay here ( already have mini tree, with ornaments, lights, you-name-it-got it, along with tacky-tuna, aloha-attire-wearing, saxaphone-playing, Santa to send to oldest son for his barracks room )...

What to do what to do???? I'll keep checking back in here for ideas.

Hmmm,...you know, you wrap up about three new X-box games,..and shoot,..that's practically the same price as an airplane ticket to paradise! ( I'm trying to validate my reasoning! ha!)

Off to Tarjaaay and Hobby Lobby I go,...and I can't get those Xmas carols outta my head,...so I'll be singin' in the car like a looney bird today, getting all kinds of paranoid looks from by passers!! ( tee-hee )

Hi ho- hi ho,..it's off to shopping I goooooooooo!!!! Need more spider webs to add to the spooky decor, for ladies BUNCO being hosted at my house tomorrow night.

Baseball jack-o-lantern front and center on the porch!

( And perhaps I need a few more bags of m&m's,..and maybe a few more bags of chips,...cider,....the list grows on....)
Sing with me won't ya???
Rudolph the red nosed,...hum hum hum hum di hummmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

I have never heard of Hobby Lobby before! Looked on line and there's several of them in KY, but none in my city. Looks like a VERY neat store so perhaps it's a good thing I don't have access to one! Will have to watch for one in my travels though!

http://www.thestationerystudio.com/index.cfm?fuseaction...ctID=7876&catID=1049

This probably wouldn't go over great with any of our "guys"...but if you have family members or GIRLS to buy gifts for...I love this sight. If you click on it, you will find stationery products where you can customize the stationery with "stick figures" doing the activity best indicative of your gift-receiver. Click on the left hand column and hit "stick figures" and you will find even more stationery ideas for people. SEriously, the selection of stick figures is amazing, you can find one doing practically ANY activity. And, you can customize hair color, hair length and style, glasses, etc. Check it out. I'm getting these pads of paper for my nieces this year.

http://www.luggagepoint.com/luggage_brand.asp?pageIndex...nd_id=394&series_id=

Okay..here is another link to three pages of "Rawlings Accessories". These are GREAT! Albeit, some are VERY expensive....BUT, if you are looking for a piece of luggage for your son that will last a lifetime, made of Rawlings Baseball leather, and of course have the connection to baseball...this is for you. Also, they have some less expensive items like Rawlings luggage tags (good for when the guys are travelling), Rawlings Homeplate mousepad, Rawlings Travel Kits (also good for the guys when travelling to put their toiletries into), Rawlings Wallets, etc. All made from genuine Rawlings leather...they look just like the glove leather.

FYI...I splurged on one of these for my son last year and he has a messenger/scout bag. He is a secondary education major and is now visiting classrooms and will be teaching later this semester. He is using his to carry his papers and teaching materials everyday into the classroom. He loves the Rawlings leather...and he likes being able to display the baseball connection.

Just another idea from your friendly Christmas personal shopper!

And, for the man/woman who has EVERYTHING...how about THIS???? (and you thought the Rawlings products were expensive! ):

http://www.alumni.psu.edu/travel/2006destinations/06_tr...criptions/Heaven.htm

Kathy, I to you!!! You are the queen!!

Those notepads are the greatest! There will be a girl in KY with some under the tree... she'll love them!

The Rawlings items are great too... just too pricey for me, but what a great gift idea... so unique! Perfect for a baseball lover!

Great ideas!!!

Wow! I love the stationery! I'm ordering some for my daughter and I may get the travel bag for my son! Cool gifts! Thanks!

I also posted about baseball stamps in another post. Didn't think about posting here till lafmom mentioned it. They are in circulation for a limited time.

http://www.littlearth.com/

This is a neat site if you are looking for a "different" kind of purse - made out of license plates. I got one (Longhorns!) for my daughter last year and she loves it!

lovethatbaseball,

Well I gotta tell ya...some of those purses are just too cute and unique. I'm going to have to explore that sight a little more thoroughly!

So many cyber-sites to shop...so little time

OH MY GOODNESS,.....I am going to have to show my BUNCO gals this site tomorrow night. ( they aren't baseball mom's,..but I'm gonna let them peek in, anyways!) You guys are just starting and this post already has the BEST Christmas ideas!!! LOVE the stationery,...much cuter and more details than any others I have seen! And I gotta tell ya,..I have the Rawlings backpack purse,... and its DREAMY!! Nope,..no Prada, Coach, Loui V., purse for me,...I got myself a Rawlings! You'de be suprised how many people comment on it! Kinda pricey,..but I have a feeling I'm going to get my $'s worth when it still looks good after about 5 years! ha!

Keep the ideas comin' gals!....and if anyone happens to see Santa,....this ol' shortstopmomma wouldn't mind the round the world via private jet excursion!...I've been pretty naughty, er uh,..good this year!

CUTE license plate purse idea too,..my daughter will be a new trend setter!! Cute cute cute!!!!

For the baseball lover inside ALL of us:

http://www.everythingbaseballcatalog.com/index.html

shortstopmom-
I love that everything baseball website! Did you see the portable grill and the headboard. Those are expensive, but they sure are cute! Keep it coming, ladies. Maybe I can get all of my shopping done on the web!

I've never seen that site before. It is great. I'm certain I'll be purchasing a few gifts from there this year.

Thanks for the link!

SSMOm - That is an awesome place! I could do tons of shopping there. Some very reasonably priced items too! I'll definately hold on to that link for this Christmas and more! Thanks!!

responding to those taking a trip. Five years ago we went on our dream trip to the islands for Christmas. Explained that this was our christmas and no presents would be bought. Christmas eve I look around and there are a number of wrapped gifts sitting in my husband and childrens suit cases. Needless to say I was the crazy mom shopping on christmas eve for the rest of the family. We had to buy another suitcase to get home our christmas presents

Always glad to help,..even in a small way.
( I must say, I have spent hours on that site & probably too much $$ too! ha!! ) Thats actually where I first found the Rawlings back pack purse and other Rawlings leather items!
Now if only I can only talk the Hubby into the diamond a ruby baseball pendant they carry,...GORGEOUS!!!! HA!!!

Actually Shortstopmom, I made a purchase on that site the other day. I have a collection of Christmas "baseball" Santas....and saw a Clothtique one on that site that I had never seen before. So......it should be arriving via UPS in the very near future! Gotta love those men in brown . Thanks for the link!

Oh Luvbb - I was thinking "man in brown" before I ever got to that last comment! For those of you that don't know Luvbb, she has motives for shopping online outside of the convenience factor! You know, you may need to sneak his pic one of these days and send to me! LOL Just tell him you're helping your daughter with some school project or some such!!!

( giggle-giggle )
Picture scenario: ...UPS man,..in Hawaii,...young, tall & tan, hunky former football stud player,...who wore UPS shorts !!!!!
Results? Many gal-pal neighbors became QVC & HSN addicted!!!
Buzzzzz goes the doorbell,..UPS man!!
Ahhhhh, the day goes by so much quicker when ya got something to look forward to!

Come to think of it, the bottled water guy wasn't too bad either.

( shame on us!!! ....HA! )

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For those of you that don't know Luvbb, she has motives for shopping online outside of the convenience factor!

You know Lafmom...I was pretty bummed yesterday.....I got home yesterday afternoon and there was a UPS box sitting on my front porch....with no UPS man attached!!!!! I missed him!

Now Luv - Any good stalking mom has her routine down! You must do a better job of things.... especially if you're going to snap me a picture!

I just realized that I have a website for some really cool picture frames I discovered this summer while in Nashville shopping. I'll have to remember to share it this weekend!

Boy oh Boy! Thought I'd get some good ideas off here for Christmas but realize the first thing I better do this morning is make sure I tell MY UPS man how cute his legs look in his browns!
Got to remember to build him up 'cause it looks like there's alot of competition out there!!

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Boy oh Boy! Thought I'd get some good ideas off here for Christmas but realize the first thing I better do this morning is make sure I tell MY UPS man how cute his legs look in his browns!
Got to remember to build him up 'cause it looks like there's alot of competition out there!!

PAbbmom....must be nice having your own personal UPS guy!

LOL PAbbMom! I think your "brown" knows those adoring moms are all harmless!! What is it about a man in uniform!

Now, getting us back on track here.... The website for the photo frames I referred to earlier is -

www.luposartgallery.com

The mats can be personalized to anything you want. I bought a baseball and a volleyball!

We have some GREAT ideas here gals!
Anyone else?? Only 61 more days to go,..we must get a movin' and a plannin' and a orderin'!!
Any other cool ideas?
I have notepad, pen, phone ( & credit card ) in hand !!...........

Gals, if you or your kids don't have an American Eagle Pass card I think it's called, get one. My daughter signed up (it's free) last summer.... it gives points based on your purchases. I received a card in the mail yesterday which I used last night to do some Christmas shopping.... the card gave me 40% off! That's a pretty big discount!