Christmas Time's a'Comin'

 Time is flyin' by! I have "Fall Fever", a serious case of it and began decorating the house for Fall this week. Even though the temps are hovering around 115 degrees.

And you know what comes after Fall... Christmas!

I'm busy buying and wrapping gifts. This year I'm using gift boxes and gift bags for all of the presents. This past weekend I managed to wrap gifts and fill stockings with stuffers.

This year I'm using a new method for the stocking. In the past I used gift sacks and put each person's stuffers in their sack, filling the stockings the night before Family Christmas. It worked... for a while. But the past few years as the Grands got older I often bought stuffers that were too large for the stockings. 

So this year, I'm using the Hallmark bags like the one below. I have one bag per family. I put the stuffers in the stockings and then set them in the bag for their family. So far, so good! I discovered yesterday that I'm done with one grandchild using this method. All of the stockings are slightly different sizes, but I use a number limit on stocking stuffers (based on the age of the recipient.) The adults get the same amount, but the one year old gets less than the 11 year old.

I had to laugh yesterday when we Skyped with our family in KS. I could see that my DIL had started decorating for Fall. I commented on it and she said "yes, I just NEED a change". I completely agree with her. I can't control much about my life right now, but I CAN control my environment!

CIJ: The ABCs of Christmas ~ Stockings

I feel like I've shared the Christmas Stockings I've stitched for family and friends many times on this blog and frankly I'm bored. So I'll share the new stockings I've stitched this year in my December posts. For today, I'm focusing on unique (to me) stockings I found on Pinterest.

These quilted stockings are simple and elegant

Beautiful

I wonder if I could make these?

Festive Crazy Quilt Stocking

Don't these look warm and cozy?

Here's some ideas for "stuffers" to fill those stockings!

Christmas Time's a'Comin'...

Yesterday my counter tops were all cleaned off and I decided it was the perfect time to start organizing stocking stuffers for 2018.

In the past I've used my gift list to keep track of stocking stuffers. Now, with so many people, I decided to make a separate list for them. I've been in the habit of shopping for stocking stuffers year around, and have a small stash of them already.

My plan is simple. I used small gift bags (that I buy on super clearance from Hobby Lobby after Christmas each year) for each person. I find a corner in my house to stash them in and put the stocking stuffer in the bag when purchased.

This year I'm stashing them in my closet on a top shelf. I tuck my master list into my stocking stuffer bag so I'll know where to find it.

Since I hang the stockings in November to use as decor, I don't stuff them until the evening before Family Christmas. Some years I wrap the gifts in tissue paper, some years I stuff the stockings without any wrapping.

I'm suffering from a severe case of "Christmas Fever" brought on by renewing my Hallmark  KOC membership. I got an email this morning telling me that the ornament I bought has shipped and should be here early next week. Now if my Dream Book would just arrive...

Stress-free Christmas - Stocking Stuffers

I know, it's the middle of August, who is thinking of stocking stuffers?! You are, if your goal is a stress-free Christmas.

As I have mentioned many times before, I have a love/hate relationship with stocking stuffers. I love getting them for the people that are easy to buy for. I hate getting them for the people (men) that are difficult to buy for.

Up until 2016, I only purchased stocking stuffers in the two or three months before Christmas. In 2016 as I was purchasing Easter Egg Hunt items I had an epiphany: some of this stuff would make great stocking stuffers for the kids. Why I didn't think of this before is beyond me. So now I haunt Target's Dollar Spot year round looking for stocking stuffers.

Other good sources are Cost Plus World Market, Harbor Freight Tools, the Clearance corners at Hobby Lobby, and the 99 Cent Store.

On Pinterest I have a board with stocking stuffer ideas. I need all the inspiration I can get.

To keep track of my SS purchases, I created a simple chart with a column for each family member. During January - July I keep the SS gifts in a small tub with the rest of my Christmas purchases. In August I set up individual gift sacks and load them with the SS gifts. I keep my chart with the gift sacks. This year I have the sacks set up on the shelf in my craft room.

As you can see, yes, I have a sack for myself. Dan is notorious for last minute shopping so years ago I began to buy my own SS gifts and then tell him what he got me! hahaha

On the day before our Family Christmas Celebration I stuff the stockings, fold the bags and store them for next year.

Some years I wrap the SS gifts in tissue paper, other years I just place them in the stockings unwrapped.

If you have a Stocking Stuffer organizational tip, please, share it with us. I hope this tip will help as we work our way to a stress-free Christmas!

Christmas in July: Day Eight - Stocking Stuffers

It's time to stuff the stockings! (Are any of you old enough to remember the old Dunkin' Donuts commercial "it's time to make the donuts"? No? Ok, now we all know how old I am!) As you know if you've been reading my blog for awhile, I have a love/hate relationship with stocking stuffers.

I love the idea of them. I love seeing the stockings hanging stuffed for Family Christmas. I hate trying to come up with unique ideas year after year. I hate that it's way harder to find stuffers for the guys than it is for the gals.

Last year a lightbulb went off in my brain and I realized that I should be buying stuffers all year through. And it's easy to do with the help of the Target Dollar Spot. I just check it out every time I'm in the store and I usually find something to pick up for stocking stuffers - especially for the grandkids.

For the guys (grrr) I have started taking advantage of the Free coupons from Harbor Freight. They often have some little thing on sale that Dan wants, and I go along with him to get the free item. I've also learned to keep an eye out at Lowe's and Home Depot for aisle displays of small items for the guys. The problem is that even some of the smaller tools are above my stocking stuffer budget, so it's still a challenge.

The girls are a breeze. They all love socks, nail polish, stitching supplies, notepads, pens, small photo frames... the list goes on and on. This year I've had good luck at Charming Charlie's finding several small unique items.

And as a last resort, there's always lottery tickets.

In March I was talking to my SIL Gabe and I told him I need ideas for stocking stuffers for the guys because I feel as if I fail at that each year. He looked surprised and then announced "That's my favorite part of Family Christmas!"

Hmmm, maybe I don't do as bad a job as I thought.

Christmas in July Day Five: stocking stuffers

I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas Stockings. I love to make them, love to display them and love to watch everyone open the gifts inside of them. I hate buying the gifts. I don't think I have creative stocking stuffer ideas and every year I feel like I buy the exact same stuffers as I did the year before.

I have lots of stocking stuffer lists on Pinterest. But even they don't inspire me.

This year I'm trying to change all of that. I have started hunting for stocking stuffers already. I hit up the Dollar Spot at Target each week and have already purchased some good stuffers for the kids.

The guys are the hardest for me. Just how many mini tool sets, mini electronic games, and packs of gum can a guy need? I ask them for ideas each year, but they can't seem to think of anything or else they suggest something too big to fit in a stocking! I usually resort to gift cards and lottery tickets, but that gets old fast.

The adult girls are a breeze. There are so many ideas for them that I could fill two or three stockings for each girl! I already have at least four stuffers for each of them.

But the boys, that's another story.

2015 Christmas stockings

This year we'll add one more!

I'm really hoping that by starting my search now I'll come up with some awesome stuffers for this year's stockings. 

Otherwise, I guess I'll stick with lottery tickets...

Christmas in July: Stocking Stuffers

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the stocking stuffers. One of my least favorite parts of Christmas is the stocking stuffers. Yes, I have a love/hate attitude toward the stocking stuffers.

I love the idea of stuffing stockings. In my mind I see them hanging there, overflowing with all sorts of fun, imaginative, creative stuffers. Unfortunately that vision rarely translates to reality. I seem to come up with all sorts of great stuffer ideas in March, June, August... but by November when I'm purchasing them, I'm not feeling so inspired.

There are all sorts of lists you can find online and especially on Pinterest. Lists for men, for women, for teens, for toddlers, for infants, for every age group of childhood. But I want to stuff with unique items, items that no one else has thought of, items that will make the opening of the stocking the best part of Christmas! Sigh.

This year I'm determined to come up with fantastic stocking stuffers. I want to take the time to tailor each stocking to the recipient and not rely on lottery tickets for all the adults, mini tools for all the men, nail files for all the women, stuffed reindeer for all the kids... you get my drift.

I'm going to start today. Using the new Christmas gift app I put on my phone, I'm going to search out the perfect stocking stuffers for every person on my list. Just you wait and see!

In the meantime, I thought I'd provide some links to some great stocking stuffer posts. These links are all courtesy of Pinterest. Enjoy!


http://www.jennablogs.com/2013/11/450-stocking-stuffer-ideas.html


http://www.lambertslately.com/2012/11/getting-ready-for-christmas-gift-and.html

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http://www.organizinghomelife.com/archives/824

For more great stocking stuffer lists, check out my Pinterest board Stocking Stuffers

Ten Months From Today...

... will be Christmas Day once again. Two weeks ago I received my Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club renewal in the mail. That means the 2014 Hallmark KOC Dream Book will be here soon!

This year I'm already spending a lot of time thinking about stocking stuffer gifts for the entire family. Last year's gifts were not the greatest. I know it's because we were moving, but still, I don't want a repeat for this year.

I'm also looking forward to Christmas because we will have a new grandson by then. Our daughter Jessica is expecting a little boy in June. As you know, if you've been reading my blog(s) for a while, I use weather related terms to identify my grandkids. The new little man will be called Storm on my blog and I can't wait for him to arrive!

This means I will be stitching two more Christmas stockings this year - one for his house and one for my house. I also have a couple of other gifts I want to get stitched up for Christmas gifts. I am bound and determined though to stick to my drop dead deadline of November 1st. If the stitching is not complete by then, it will have to wait until next year. I'm tired of furiously stitching the second week in December trying to finish a project! Jessica and Janel have already been appointed my accountability partners in this determination.

I see from reading your blogs that some of you are looking forward to Christmas 2014, also. I enjoy reading your blogs and getting new recipes, gift ideas, and general holiday inspiration!

Christmas in July: Stocking Stuffers

We do stockings at our house. Now that everyone's grown, the tradition has changed a little, but not much. As you can imagine, it is harder some year's to come up with good ideas than it is other years. The girls are generally easier for me than the guys. The grandkids are the hardest.

If you're on Pinterest, I'm sure you've seen all of the pins with lists of stocking stuffer ideas for various age groups, men, women, and pets. Rather than just copy those pins, I thought I'd do a little research and come up with a list of 40 affordable ideas. Some of these I've given in the past, some I think I'll give this year!

1. Flower or plant seeds
2. Stickers (kids)
3. Pez dispenser
4. Phone case/skin
5. Nail polish
6. Lip moisturizer
7. Cookies cutters
8. Magnets
9. Mini Tool Set
10. Lottery tickets
11. Mini play-doh (kids)
12. Bubbles (kids)
13. Bike bell (kids)
14. Key chain
15. Harmonica
16. Yo-yo
17. Rub-on Tattoos (kids)
18. Hand-held electronic games (Battleship, Yahtzee, etc)
19. Mini flashlight
20. Wine charms
21. Flavored coffee
22. Money Clip
23. Shot Glass
24. Pocket Knife
24. Compass
25. Tire Gauge
26. Sports cards
27. Guitar picks
29. Toothbrush
30. Cartoon Bandaids (kids)
31. Slinky (kids)
32. Crayons (kids)
33. Craft scissors
34. Washi Tape
35. Kitchen Timer Magnet
36. Pedometer
37. Sidewalk Chalk (kids)
38. Dice
39. Sunglasses (kids)
40. CASH!

Of course, gift cards are always an easy stocking stuffer, along with candy, socks, and calendars. Do you have an absolutely inspired stocking stuffer to share with us?

Christmas in July - update

July is half over. Time to pause and evaluate my progress. Whew! That's easier said than done. With the anticipation and then the birth of our first grandson three days ago, I've been mighty distracted from all things Christmas. I have managed to make some progress toward a stress-free holiday.

Stockings - I mentioned in an earlier post that I need to make eight Christmas stockings this year. I have one completed and two in progress. I had to take a quick break to cross-stitch a birth sampler for our new grandbaby.

Stocking stuffers - I have the bags for the stocking stuffers lined up on the window seat in the kitchen and I am filling them with the items I've already purchased.

Shopping - I carry my shopping list with me every where I go. That way when I see something I think someone requested, I can check my list and purchase it on the spot. My method pays off. I am finished with one person on my list. Yay! Only 11 people left to go...

Decor - I showed up at my local Hallmark store bright and early Saturday morning to pick up the ornaments I had pre-ordered. I will be there again in Sept. and Oct. to pick up more ornaments. I really like to use Hallmark's pre-order option. I stick to my budget. And although it can be a shock to spend that much at once, I realize that I'm not impulse buying every time I step into the store the rest of the season!

Music - I have been so bummed this year. The "sound of the season" music channel on our cable system did not play Christmas in July music. No worries. I've been playing my own collection of Christmas music and enjoying every minute of it!

Thanks for stopping by. As always, I'd love to hear about your holiday preparations, traditions, decor ideas, and recipes. Please share...

Stocking Stuffers

I have a love/hate relationship with stocking stuffers. I love the idea of filling each stocking with all sorts of goodies. I hate how hard it is sometimes to find goodies that work.

I generally find it easy to find stocking stuffers for the girls... it's the boys that create a challenge for me.

Today I was in Michael's, looking to see what they have that I can't live without, when I came across some stocking stuffers for the girls for this Christmas. Oh yeah, I snapped them right up! Best of all they were in the $1 bins, so they won't break the budget.

That's one good thing about having Christmas on my mind 24/7/365, I'm always on the lookout for a bargain, and for something that someone in my family would appreciate as a gift.

Do you fill stockings for the members of your family? Do you have a traditional item that you put in each and every year, or do you change it up each season?