Now is the time to start collecting. Tons of things after Christmas will be going on sale, so you can pick them up cheap. that's how most of the people get what they need for next years SS.
There's usually someone that wonders HOW someone can send out a package with so much stuff and only spend $20. Well? That's how it's done. You shop and shop all year long. When you find a deal on something, you buy it, whether it's 1 or 101. There's usually a swap that you will join and you can always tuck something nice in to what you are sending. I collect all year long. I can usually find seam rippers for 10 cents, cute buttons for a quarter or so, thread is always going on sale at different times of the year. Fat quarters go on sale also. You can always tuck extra fat quarters into a package too. There's all sorts of things to find and gather.