pogiporkchop

I'm still counting this morning... my list should be titled "People to Remember" as some get gifts, others homemade goodies, some just cards, etc. Everybody is counted - kids' classmates (goody bags, of course) and special friends, DD's fellow Scouts (goody bags again) and so on. By later today I should have my list made up :)

I started to post a reply and lost track of my counting at 57... looks like I better make THE list tonight :)

I love that idea too! :) Maybe I should suggest that they do that here.

Ditto that - I've already planned it into my holiday budget. :)

I have to agree with Squinkies. DD looked at both them and Zoobles and was much more interested in S. Need to get her to start giving me some ideas.

Please don't tell my DD that!

At the rate DD's behaving now my list may actually shrink a lot! Told her I've got Santa's contact info (I really do - showed her the card) and that has taken care of things nicely so far... not that it's stopped...

I like the charity donation idea and agree with doing a family grab bag. Makes things so much easier.

About 20 years for me, with only one missed (when I was living overseas). At first it was about collecting the freebies but it's evolved into true bargain hunting and people watching :)

Not much for electronics, I'm thinking, and more on housewares. Hopefully they'll be better than last year's, but as someone else said it's not going to stop me from shopping! :)

I have no idea yet until I make my lists. Well, not exactly true... both kids have mentioned Pillow Pets and DD wants those Fushigi gravity balls

DH's reaction to finding out the forums are opened up: "REALLY?" I swear I detected some excitement in his voice though...

I second that. And asking for things for the baby instead of yourself (-ves) is a wise idea. Congrats and hope all goes well for you :)

BF Boot Camp would be a good idea :) Make a weekend of it just like some do when they want to scrapbook. Show lots of video clips to show what can happen when you don't have a plan and aren't coordinated

I've already brought this up to DH. I don't want a repeat of last year where I did a good job of staying within budget with the CC and then he still griped, which left me no choice but to return several items.... and then he complained about me returning them! But I digress... I am trying to get him to give me money to put aside for the holidays, which he seems agreeable to. For the kids I try to keep things even in both quantity and amount spent. If DH needs something for someone (like a gift exchange at work) he tells me about how much the gift should be and any specifics that need to apply. Otherwise I just try to pick something I know the recipient will like and let them think I spent much more than I actually did

I would start prepping them now :)

I've started plotting my strategy. It helps that I still have the kids' lists of things from last year :) The subject of BF has already been brought up to DH, who actually already has a shopping list started! I need to draw up my own lists from things I'd like to baking to everyone that needs to be remembered and get them in one place. And then there's taking inventory of what we already have and where it is... all I can say to that is thank goodness we have a yard sale coming up soon. Maybe the kids can be persuaded to part with some of their things they really don't use...

I think the above pretty well sums up how I'm feeling right now! :)

I haven't purchased anything yet but am well on my way to formulating a plan and getting all the info in one place. Just found the kids' lists of things they'd like from last year in one of my notebooks... And the subject has been mentioned to DH already, hehe

I sure am! Probably should talk to DH about a plan for paying for my holiday, hehe... And speaking of my DH, I hope the Harbor Freight ad will come out quickly. Since last BF DH has discovered what a "wonderful" place it is (I am SO tired of going there!) so if he sees the ad he may be more generous with my spending budget!

OK, I've PMed you the recipe. So did the system - twice.

Those maid rites sound like sloppy joes without the sloppy part; I bet my kids would like them Something different could be a breakfast buffet for dinner... lots of options there for things to offer and it would be easy to have something for everyone :)

I'll be happy to send you the recipe if you'd like it :)

Not really... got to have variety after all :) DS has told me he wants me to make my orange oatmeal cookies to leave out for Santa. I think I can manage that

I should add that this lady was speaking up for everyone that had been waiting in line and was not a troublemaker. Kudos to her for sticking up for those who couldn't see what was going on!