WomenCo.

The cooler weather means we are getting closer to that time of year - Christmas!

What kind of shopper are you? Last Minute or Plan-Ahead?

I used to be one of those people who had all their shopping done by October. Now I'll be lucky if I can swing it the week before Christmas. Some people think gift cards are impersonal. I have to admit they have bailed me out many of times!

I'm kinda in between, i start buying presents around mid November. As for the gift cards, if someone gave me a $20 gift card to WalMart, or something like that, I would say "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

This time of the year is so stressful but amazing at the same time! Starting in November on the 23rd is one daughters birthday and the 12th of December belongs to 2 of my boys, the 17th of December belongs to my other daughter, then we have Christmas and 5 days after that is my oldest son birthday!  Whew I couldnt have planned it that way...lol

This has always been my favorite time of year! People everywhere seem so much happier despite the stress of debt and also are more polite!

Typically I am a last minute buyer due to financial issues, but this year I have opened a Christmas fund thru my credit unit and have been putting a little here and a little there from about April.  This year I will be able to start the day after Christmas (all the big sales).  With out this account I would be using my bill money for shopping.  This year I look forward to spending.

I am scared to think about what THIS Christmas will look like! I left my job, had another lined up, but budget cuts eliminated that position...so I am relying on my parttime business to now take center stage and pay that mortgage! (Single mom of two boys here)

Looking for moms looking to work from home to join my team....or women looking for healthier products from their home, their families, and themselves.

interviewing also, but with the job market the way it is, its tough out there! even with the skils and education i have, i cant seem to get my foot in the door.....

Anyone looking for a little extra income, a home business of their own, or just willing to try some new detergent, soap, cleaners, vitamins - please let me know :)

We have very little, extra money this year, and our kids are grown. They get money or a gift card, and I already bought my parents a gift. DH and I have not exchanged gifts since I stopped working F/T five years ago. We know that we love and appreciate each other, but we do exchange cards.

mom2my2kids says ...

Oh my!  That incident where you forgot what you bought sounds like most days with me on just about everything.

Seriously, I think the grab bag sounds like a wonderful idea!!  I'm a little artsy/craftsy myself, and I bake A LOT at Christmas. (usually about 3 weeks straight - EVERY DAY. I've done that for like the last 15 years, so it's pretty much expected now - especially on my street. I'm known as "the candy lady.") so I do a lot of tins with baked goodies, usually for all our neighbors on our street, but also for the adult members of our family. (ofcourse the ingredients do tend to get expensive so I start buying the items that will keep starting in October.)  One year I got the plastic containers, some patterns and aida cloth and cross stitched the tops for plastic tins and added a rubber ring to the canister to keep goodies fresh. That way the recipient could re-use the container after they finished the goodies.

 You know what? It really is a great idea. We make jams and jellies every year from the fruit we pick during the spring and summer and freeze it until the holidays. I love getting baskets and tins full of food. To me it signifies the best of giving, making or creating something with your own hands.