In past years I would lavish my kids with gifts and presents for the parents and my siblings(2) and something for the DH's family. Over the years as my husbands family seemed to spread like wildfire, (and their reciprocity and graciousness failed). I switched to baking cookies for the hubands family. Tiring of spending even $60.00 on the ingrediants for that I switched over to the oranges from my tree. Last year we got the comments that "Oh we have orange trees" so between that and the drought this year no oranges. On top of everything else, I lost my job back in May and just spent the last of my last unemployment check on grocercies and car note. So I got to thinking what are we going to do for Christmas this year. And I think that everyone will be pleased, if not, Santa may be crossing them off the list next year.
Son: going to make him something that he can wear to the Ren Fest (his passion every year)
Daughter 1: she is pretty urbain and just became a police officer, going to buy her a gift that she can use for work (50.00 limit). Learning to crochet so I can make her a blanket for next year.
Daughter2: Collects cows for her kitchen, so we are making her a Cut-out for her front yard a cow with "MOOO-RY CHRISTMAS" under it
Husband: I moved him to the country and he loves it, what more could a guy want? Got him some books that he will love.( that has been the smallest amount of money I have ever spent on him for Christmas)
So for the parents: still trying to figure these guys out, what do you get for someone who has everything and needs nothing (that I can afford). Last year it was tickets to go see the Oakridge Boys in concert, they loved it. Thinking of Tickets to see Carol Burnet, she tells stories and fields questions from the audience. (since the parents let me put my mobile home on their property and arent charging me rent, I think they deserve something nice)
The rest of the Family: Well this is the fun part. We are going to get some sachet bags, you know the ones you can see through and each person is going to get one of our eggs, with a little note with the symbolizm of the egg attached.
Its a tough economy this year and I am trying to minimize my cash outlay, my goal next year is to start a bit earlier and do homemade Christmas for everyone.

Son: going to make him something that he can wear to the Ren Fest (his passion every year)
Daughter 1: she is pretty urbain and just became a police officer, going to buy her a gift that she can use for work (50.00 limit). Learning to crochet so I can make her a blanket for next year.
Daughter2: Collects cows for her kitchen, so we are making her a Cut-out for her front yard a cow with "MOOO-RY CHRISTMAS" under it
Husband: I moved him to the country and he loves it, what more could a guy want? Got him some books that he will love.( that has been the smallest amount of money I have ever spent on him for Christmas)
So for the parents: still trying to figure these guys out, what do you get for someone who has everything and needs nothing (that I can afford). Last year it was tickets to go see the Oakridge Boys in concert, they loved it. Thinking of Tickets to see Carol Burnet, she tells stories and fields questions from the audience. (since the parents let me put my mobile home on their property and arent charging me rent, I think they deserve something nice)
The rest of the Family: Well this is the fun part. We are going to get some sachet bags, you know the ones you can see through and each person is going to get one of our eggs, with a little note with the symbolizm of the egg attached.
Its a tough economy this year and I am trying to minimize my cash outlay, my goal next year is to start a bit earlier and do homemade Christmas for everyone.