I hate to mention Christmas so early, but with less than four months to go, I need to start getting organized now. How do you all manage fitting in everything at the festive season? By the time it rolls around to the big day itself, I'm usually exhausted with juggling it all between kids, presents, finances, the meal, etc. This year I'm determined to make it easier to manage all round instead of a mad rush. It would be nice to enjoy it instead of being stressed out over what I've spent because I waited until the last minute to try do everything at once.

Is it that time of year again already? The number of grandchildren in my family quadrupled since last Christmas. I should follow your lead. I honestly do not think my wallet can handle 4 grandkids and their parents.

Yule time always sneaks up on us!!! I have yet to get anything for anyone.
Its been a crazy year and its not going to slow down anytime soon for my family I'm afraid. :)

I'm going to start looking for gifts now. With the changeover in seasons, usually the stores have their summer stock to clear out before the fall range comes in. With a bit of luck, I'll pick up a few bargains that'd help ease the strain. With the kids it's not so easy because all the new Christmas "must have" toys aren't out yet but for the adults it should be. I saw some lovely things online at Kohl's last night that had been reduced down, so might take a trip there. Even if I can pick up one gift every week or two, it'd make a dent in it.

I was thinking more about what else I could do to prepare. When I go grocery shopping, I'm going to start picking up all those wee non-perishable extras that you buy, like cranberry sauce and so on. One or two a week thrown in with the rest of the groceries won't be so painful on the purse strings as the usual festive run. It'll be pretty soon that the cookie tins etc start appearing on the shelves too.

I've designated a cupboard in the kitchen for it all to go in and no one will be allowed to touch anything in it, otherwise it defeats the purpose. You could just as easily use a big cardboard box in the garage or closet if you don't have kitchen cupboard space. Seeing that build up alone will be an incentive for me to keep it all under control as much as possible. :D I'm getting into this idea!

Anyone have any thoughts on homemade gifts vs. store bought? I may try that this year. I'm pretty handy with a sewing machine and already make some beauty and bath items for myself. Personally I'd love something homemade but does it scream "cheapskate" ? :D

rockthecradle, I have done both, more when my children were younger though. I think this year I may try and make something for my grandson that I was blessed with, but other than that, everyone else is getting purchased items. The family I grew up in, well my mother used to have all shopping done before Thanksgiving.