[TalkinFood]

When do you try and have it done by?

[tsade]

december 20 so i have a few days to wrap them up all nice and purdy!

[Salliem]

The last couple of years I have been making edible Christmas gifts, breads, cookies, candies..so I try and have it all done by the 23rd.

[AndreaKulbaba]

It's my first Christmas away from home (I'm from Canada, living in Ireland) so I had to have all my presents for home shipped by Dec. fifth, but I got it done a couple of days ago. My immediate family's getting a couple of Christmas baubbles, and a hamper I've ordered online (shipping things myself is insanely expensive,) and my aunt/uncle/cousins/cousins husbands are getting a percel filled with chocolates, cookies, and a couple small things you can't get back home.

I've got a couple friends here, but I think I'm just going to do some baking (chocolate cheesecake brownies, cookies,) because everyone here seems to go crazy for homemade stuff.

Just a note for everyone, right now I'm working in retail for the first time, so PLEASE, PEOPLE, CALM DOWN! IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD, IT'S JUST CHRISTMAS!!

[TalkinFood]

Well at least you try and have it done by Christmas day! How do you all feel about giving gift cards? I find they are great gifts and stocking stuffers.

[allie]

I'd love to get it all done early but usually end up going the 23rd or 24th to finish up.......grr! I hate the crowds! I really think I suffer from whatever phobia that means a fear of crowds. I can't stand it.

I like giving and receiving gift cards. Les (my other half) doesn't agree. He thinks they are not personal enough. Well, what about when you finally settle on whatever for that person on your list who has everything and if they don't, they just buy it?

[TalkinFood]

Originally Posted by allie

I'd love to get it all done early but usually end up going the 23rd or 24th to finish up.......grr! I hate the crowds! I really think I suffer from whatever phobia that means a fear of crowds. I can't stand it.

I like giving and receiving gift cards. Les (my other half) doesn't agree. He thinks they are not personal enough. Well, what about when you finally settle on whatever for that person on your list who has everything and if they don't, they just buy it?

Maybe he's used to the days when gift cards only had the company's text logo on the card. :-p Now they make a lot of different designs on the cards to fit a personality. Gift cards are available everywhere too! Even grocery stores have them. For example, did you know that Safeway has over 250 different types of gift cards for all types of stores?

[allie]

We don't have Safeway, but I've noticed a lot of different ones in the check-out lane of Walmart. There are two people on our list who have everything they want and if they say they want something, then they go out and buy it before a birthday or holiday. It's so frustrating to spend hours online or walking around stores trying to figure out what to buy for them. A simple VISA or Master Card would be a nice gift so they can use it for whatever they want or need.

[TalkinFood]

Long lines are something I like to avoid too. Online shopping is another blessing. Did you know you can even buy gift cards online that you can personalize with your own pictures and text? Whatever it takes to avoid those killer Christmas shoppers! :-p

[Jock]

I don't do Christmas shopping. I'm one of those people who do not like this holiday at all. I just hunker down and wait for it to pass.

Jock

[AtlTournant]

This year has been such a huge financial nightmare that my family is sticking with cards.Fortunately,everyone is not too concerned about it because we're not a big "holiday" family and we're spread out all over the U.S.

[TalkinFood]

Originally Posted by AtlTournant

This year has been such a huge financial nightmare that my family is sticking with cards.Fortunately,everyone is not too concerned about it because we're not a big "holiday" family and we're spread out all over the U.S.

So you do a lot of mailing of gift cards around Christmas time? How is dealing with the post office around this time? Where do you get your Gift Cards from?

[AtlTournant]

Originally Posted by TalkinFood

So you do a lot of mailing of gift cards around Christmas time? How is dealing with the post office around this time? Where do you get your Gift Cards from?

Fortunately,my card list is less than 10.I was never one to send out a flurry of cards to everyone at the holidays,just the main family and significant friends.

I just drop them off at the post office at the drive-up box and never set foot in there!

Cards I just snag at Target;they have some nice ones early in the season.Last year I was in a hurry and accidentally got cards in Spanish...I sent them anyways because I found it amusing.

[TalkinFood]

Originally Posted by AtlTournant

Fortunately,my card list is less than 10.I was never one to send out a flurry of cards to everyone at the holidays,just the main family and significant friends.

I just drop them off at the post office at the drive-up box and never set foot in there!

Cards I just snag at Target;they have some nice ones early in the season.Last year I was in a hurry and accidentally got cards in Spanish...I sent them anyways because I found it amusing.

Haha. That is too funny. That is good you don't have to set foot in the post office. I don't think anyone would want to during the holidays.

I thought the idea for a personalized gift card was cool seeing that I can upload my own picture and write my own text on the card. This makes it more personal IMO. I also like knowing that the gift card will not be thrown away after its used and be kept as keep sake.

[Risque Cakes]

Originally Posted by TalkinFood

When do you try and have it done by?

January 5th..