It's Coming!

What is?  Why, Christmas of course!  There are only 54 days until Christmas is upon us, and I'm itching to get some stuff done!

Christmas brings so many feelings of joy, nostalgia, and excitement for me!  Also a lot of stress if I'm not careful, but we'll try to do things so that stress is at a minimum for this time of year (if possible).  I get fully into wanting to craft, sculpt, bake, decorate, and get out of the house to enjoy the lights and sounds of the season.

This year, I plan on doing something a little different than last year.

It isn't a big change.  I don't have a large budget for Christmas usually, and I've done similar to this before, but not to the degree I want this year.  I want to make it a handmade Christmas... no bought gifts whatsoever (unless it's a modified second hand item).  I am not allowing myself to buy any ornaments, and I'd like to make a bunch for the tree and fill it with homemade items instead of the purchased ornaments I already have (although I'm sure a few will make it on there anyway.  After all, I already have them).  I am hoping to continue my tradition of baking white cookies with the kids, and this time get my son involved.  I want to try to make my own packaging for gifts in a fun, crafty sort of way instead of only reusing the bags (although those are really nice, too, and if I find I'm running low on time, I will use them anyway).  And... this is the big one... I am going to make my husband's gift, and request (if he feels up to it) that he do the same for me.  Well... make, or purchase second hand and 'modify'.  :)

I have visions of popcorn balls and other foodie treats on our tree, of giving cute edible gifts to friends and family, of making a few more difficult but fun items for the kids... I've started on a couple of things already, but I am a long way from finished.  And the difficult part about baked gifts is that they need to be given shortly after baking.  But that is ok!  I don't mind, as long as I can have one or two days of straight baking I'll be good!

I'm looking at my recycling box and imagining all sorts of interesting items being turned out of those boxes, cans, bottles, and egg cartons.  I'm looking at my scrapbooking papers and fabrics and wondering what I could come up with... and I'm looking at my kids and thinking that salt dough would be a fun thing for them to play with and make creations of their very own for friends and family!

Maybe it's pregnancy that does some of this to me.  I did the same thing while pregnant with my son... none of the other years went quite to that same extent.  Although, shortly after having my daughter, I did a bunch of crafts as well.

So, what do you all enjoy doing for the holidays?  When do you start, and when do you try to have most everything done by?  Do you handmake things?  How do you save money over the holidays?  Christmas grosses the largest commercial sales over any other time of year.  Do you have any fun traditions that you've maybe changed up a little over the years?

I'm hoping (hoping) to post more over the next couple of months some of my ideas, projects, and whatnot... and I'd love to hear any tips you have for me (because I LOVE comments!  And comments about Christmas traditions, tips, and 'tricks' are even better!).  I'm hoping to spend even less than my normal 'budget' for the Christmas season, and use the excess towards a gift through World Vision or something to that effect.  Oh, I have so many things I'd love to see happen!  We'll just see what I can reasonably do without stressing myself!

Happy Holidays!  (Yes... I said it... at least I'm not listening to the Christmas tunes yet, although I've been tempted... and the kids have been singing Jingle Bells, haha).