Oh!!!!

The older kids become, the more they cost....so far, I've got one a guitar, one a laptop and one his 2013 HS Class Ring (which was expensive)...all under my bed....Waiting on the after Thanksgiving sales to buy more, which won't be too much.
 
We just this evening decided to go handmade this year. Got to get the sewing machine cleaned and oiled now. Have all kinds of fabric stashed and the patterns all ready. Measurements were taken last week.

3 sets of PJ's for each person (gowns for MIL and mother, pants or shorts and top for hubby, son, daughter and myself)
5 skorts for daughter
3 skirts and tops for me
quilt for son and MIL
cat beds and new toys for Sammy and Tinkerbell
 
Miss-Delectable said:
Hehe! Yep



Lucky I don't plan on bankrupting myself with all the shopping because I find bargains and besides, my family made a pact only to spend $5 per person. :D



Do you have a slot available for me on your schedule? :lol:
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There is no help for you:giggle:...but you could teach me to be as efficient and well planned as you are!
 
KristinaB said:
We just this evening decided to go handmade this year. Got to get the sewing machine cleaned and oiled now. Have all kinds of fabric stashed and the patterns all ready. Measurements were taken last week.

3 sets of PJ's for each person (gowns for MIL and mother, pants or shorts and top for hubby, son, daughter and myself)
5 skorts for daughter
3 skirts and tops for me
quilt for son and MIL
cat beds and new toys for Sammy and Tinkerbell
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I love it. I have done handmade with my family members for years. They love it. This year, I have started my 11 year old niece making sachets from lavender we dried to give to aunties and girl cousins. Haven't come up with anything for the boys yet, but we will discover something she can make. She is becoming a whiz at origami. Bound to be something she can do with that.
 
jillio said:
I love it. I have done handmade with my family members for years. They love it.
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We've done this off and on, but MIL usually buys so much that the kids never appreciate it. She averages $2000 per kid each year. This year, she's toning it way down, only $500 per kid.
 
KristinaB said:
We've done this off and on, but MIL usually buys so much that the kids never appreciate it. She averages $2000 per kid each year. This year, she's toning it way down, only $500 per kid.
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Wow!:shock: That is really over the top!
 
KristinaB said:
We've done this off and on, but MIL usually buys so much that the kids never appreciate it. She averages $2000 per kid each year. This year, she's toning it way down, only $500 per kid.
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:confused: What would be a big Christmas then?

All of us don't come to $500 for Christmas presents here...
 
Bottesini said:
:confused: What would be a big Christmas then?

All of us don't come to $500 for Christmas presents here...
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Big for the kids would be MIL giving her usual amount and us spending at least $200 per person. This year, she's cutting back and hubby is leaving it up to me. I am doing the sewing with what I already have set aside. Mom isn't sure yet.
 
jillio said:
And you have several grandchildren, too, don't you?
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Yes. Quite sensible ones too. The four year old asks me only for a tie dyed shirt like the ones I wear. :lol:

And I did obtain one in purple!
 
Bottesini said:
Yes. Quite sensible ones too. The four year old asks me only for a tie dyed shirt like the ones I wear. :lol:

And I did obtain one in purple!
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How cute! I'm so glad you could find her one!

My 8 grandnieces and grandnephews all get hand made hats and mittens this year, excepting the two teen girls. They will be getting lace scarves. Did the monkeys last year, and year before that slippers. Time to go back to the hats, etc.

My nephew though, has requested that he get a sock monkey like the one I made his daughter last year, only in is college colors.:giggle: He is 45, BTW.
 
Mine 2 are the only grandkids MIL has so she has always gone overboard with Christmas and them. I've never been pleased as it always over-shadowed what we parents did, but the kids know better now. All they have asked for is a simple gift card for Game Stop. That MIL will not do. She is think of a gift card to Sears or J C Penney. They will not be happy at all. She always puts limitations on their gifts. Every year, they can only spend it on clothing, and then my daughter must buy at least 1 dress or skirt. She hasn't worn a skirt or dress since she was 3.
 
jillio said:
How cute! I'm so glad you could find her one!

My 8 grandnieces and grandnephews all get hand made hats and mittens this year, excepting the two teen girls. They will be getting lace scarves. Did the monkeys last year, and year before that slippers. Time to go back to the hats, etc.

My nephew though, has requested that he get a sock monkey like the one I made his daughter last year, only in is college colors.:giggle: He is 45, BTW.
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Never too old for sock monkeys! If I had talent, I would make things too.

I do like to stock the house with seasonal foods and drinks so everybody knows there is cool stuff here when visiting.

My stepmother likes to take everybody to restaurants to socialize and the little kids seem to look forward to that more than material possessions also.
 
KristinaB said:
Mine 2 are the only grandkids MIL has so she has always gone overboard with Christmas and them. I've never been pleased as it always over-shadowed what we parents did, but the kids know better now. All they have asked for is a simple gift card for Game Stop. That MIL will not do. She is think of a gift card to Sears or J C Penney. They will not be happy at all. She always puts limitations on their gifts. Every year, they can only spend it on clothing, and then my daughter must buy at least 1 dress or skirt. She hasn't worn a skirt or dress since she was 3.
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Tell her if she wants to give a present, she should give something they want. Otherwise it is not a present. It is an order to do as I say do.
 
jillio said:
How cute! I'm so glad you could find her one!

My 8 grandnieces and grandnephews all get hand made hats and mittens this year, excepting the two teen girls. They will be getting lace scarves. Did the monkeys last year, and year before that slippers. Time to go back to the hats, etc.

My nephew though, has requested that he get a sock monkey like the one I made his daughter last year, only in is college colors.:giggle: He is 45, BTW.
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glad to see some folk still like stuff like this at their age.
 
KristinaB said:
Mine 2 are the only grandkids MIL has so she has always gone overboard with Christmas and them. I've never been pleased as it always over-shadowed what we parents did, but the kids know better now. All they have asked for is a simple gift card for Game Stop. That MIL will not do. She is think of a gift card to Sears or J C Penney. They will not be happy at all. She always puts limitations on their gifts. Every year, they can only spend it on clothing, and then my daughter must buy at least 1 dress or skirt. She hasn't worn a skirt or dress since she was 3.
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No wonder your kids don't like their gifts from their MIL. I would never put strings to gifts that I give to folks.
 
Bottesini said:
Never too old for sock monkeys! If I had talent, I would make things too.

I do like to stock the house with seasonal foods and drinks so everybody knows there is cool stuff here when visiting.

My stepmother likes to take everybody to restaurants to socialize and the little kids seem to look forward to that more than material possessions also.
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Oh, I love the seasonal goodies. I just happy out if someone gives me homemade goodies! I have a friend that makes me spiced honey every year, and she always finds the coolest little containers to put it in. I look forward to it every year.

You know, when the kids grow up, it is the family get togethers over food that they will remember. They will have no idea what present they got when they were 5, but they will remember something about the family time. They want our time more than they want possessions.

My son talks about us making hard candy together every year during the holidays. He never mentions the presents he got...only the things we did together during the holidays.
 
jillio said:
Oh, I love the seasonal goodies. I just happy out if someone gives me homemade goodies! I have a friend that makes me spiced honey every year, and she always finds the coolest little containers to put it in. I look forward to it every year.

You know, when the kids grow up, it is the family get togethers over food that they will remember. They will have no idea what present they got when they were 5, but they will remember something about the family time. They want our time more than they want possessions.
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You are right. It's probably her psychology background that makes my stepmother do things the way she does.

My parents were awfully tough on me, but I do have good memories of a lot of things we did together. And the little kids now, since she has no responsibility, she is very relaxed and they are crazy about her.

She gives them things like greeting cards and activities, and little games that she plays with them. It's interesting to watch the interaction of these vastly separated ages enjoying each others company.
 
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