that we'll start next year's Christmas gifts in July. No stress for next year.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Will you really plan that far ahead?
I tend to get lots done when under pressure.

Hah, Hah, Hah.

I need to start on January 1.

I did start in July!! But I'm still behind. I'm starting in march this time.

I keep telling myself to start right after the first of the year, but it never works out that way! My DD's birthday was Nov 2 and I've been putting a box of goodies together for her. Besides notions and such, I made her reverable fall/Christmas tablerunner. Have I even sent it to her? Of course not! I still have plans to make coasters, mug rugs, placemats, etc. Do I have them made yet? NO......
Oh...She did recently get a package of Fat Quarters but I had it sent directly from the internet site! I'm sooo bad!

Nor have I finished the Christmas Quilts I was going to give, and somehow, don't see that happening this Christmas!

Every year about this time, I think... next year I'm going to make a quilt for everyone in my family for their birthdays, but my mom's birthday is January 27th... I'll never get it done in time. so there goes the whole plan. tee hee

lol
That's a great idea.

My problem is I always think of new things to make at the last minute!

I did the same and it was still a stretch to get it all done. Maybe gift cards next year is the better plan.

I got some sale Christmas fabric, so plan on starting shortly after the first of the year. That way I can make one a month, and I'll be done by October. I make to many mistakes when I'm under stress.

Starting right away in January sounds reasonable...

However, I did that last year and still don't have Christmas things from last year done. :(

Best part is I CAN TRY AGAIN to get them done for next Christmas! :) :)

On July I am at the lake...in September I am doing fall cleaning...my machine never comes out until October!

Okay, I'm anal. I did start all my Christmas gifts in July and had them done by the end of October. Please don't throw things at me LOL!! I don't understand why people are still working on gifts today--Christmas is always December 25--every year--why stress? I really think some people love to "complain" oh I have to finish "x" amount by tomorrow. No you wouldn't if you'd have started earlier. Please don't get mad at me!! Like I said, I'm really anal and have to have things done in plenty of time. I'm also really slow quilting so it takes me longer than a day.
Peace & joy everyone!!

you're funny ;-)

not me, I like deadlines. I get more done when there is pressure!!

BTW, I had all my Christnas gifts done by Oct. 1st.2010, That is 2009 Christmas gifts.

Well, I started this year in July and I was finished about a month ago. I have always been one who worked best under pressure, but decided I'd try it differently this year. I highly recommend it. What a difference it made for me.

I don't have many people to give gifts to (sons, DH, two sisters) so have been just mostly making Xmas stuff for my new house, now my sister just informs me she wants a quilted cover for her Quisinart stand mixer and a juicer-I spent most of the afternoon yesterday (power outage all morning!) trying to draft a pattern for it (I have the same mixer) and figuring how to make it! Guess where I'll be until Xmas eve???? Yes, I will start early next year-or maybe just keep on making stuff since I have all the xmas fabs already out now!!

I am definately starting earlier in 2011 than I did this year, although I made many of my gifts this Christmas and I have to say that it feels so good {to me} to give a special someone something that I created just for them! Just have to get started earlier next year! :mrgreen:

Great idea, I think I work better under pressure. I made my own cards and some of my Christmas gifts. I handmade a gift for each of the people that I work with (seven). I just finished them this morning. When we went on a trip last Spring, I took all my cardmaking supplies and had a grand old time making cards while DH and DS were out surfing.

Hah! I started in July this year and I'm still not done yet.

Going to be working late into the night finishing up a quilt for Christmas. I still have one more to go but have another week for DGS in Maine. We are going up there over the New Years weekend. No matter when I start I am like this every year.

You are too funny!

I will start on Monday. But that is for my Granddaughter's 5th bday. Then I plan on making quilts and donating them to the Wounded Soldiers Home. I have several people promising to donate fabric and batting. This makes it all the more special. I am to new on here to ask for donations, and that is ok. Maybe sometime next year I will be able to. Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to all of you.

Good Lord have mercy, you sound like my husband. He always says I do things too late. It is because I have so many things to do everything I do is for right then, although, I bought material yesterday for next year's Christmas. Good luck to me!! Maybe I can start those next week. I actually got this Christmas' stuff finished yesterday. A whole 3 days early!!!

I made very few (quilted or sewing) gifts this year because last year was just too much stress and now I have all kinds(and stuff started) of ideas for next year, my plan is to just make stuff and put it in a pile and decide in Dec 2011!

I always plan to start early but it never happens that way as life seems to get in the way. I guess I kinda like pressure because I am still trying to get the last 2 quilts done before dinner tomorrow as that is when we will be opening the family gifts. I may be up all night but they will be under the tree when they get here.

I sure hope to have a better handle on all the holiday projects next year. This year my sewing room had become a storage room and catchall for the whole family. A few months ago my husband and kids help me clean out the extra stuff so I could actually sew. Now it is the storage room for Christmas gifts-LOL! Oh well, we'll start 2011 with the best of intentions and see how it goes! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!

I think I have everyone beat. I started quilts for my 5 grandchildren 4 years ago. I started early in the year and planned to have them done by Christmas--every year. Meanwhile the girls were done last year, but I wanted to give them all at the same time. The boys outgrew their's a couple of years ago, so I had to start over with 2 new patterns. I finished them 2-3 weeks ago. Does that count towards getting them done in plenty of time? lol
Sue

ditto

My daughter and I love to do Christmas crafts. We make things for some family members. Sometimes it's not something big, but a little something. Then we like to make stuff for ourselves ;)

We decided this past week that we're gonna set aside a week in July and have "Christmas in July" We're going to get started on some crafts we didn't have time for this year :( I'm also going to use it as a time to make a decision as to what I'm going to make and give to my siblings, DH's siblings and the married nephews.

Not only will it give me a headstart but I'm hoping to be able to financially spread it all out :lol:

I don't know about everyone else but July to November goes really FAST for me and I do not like to be pressured in December. I like to enjoy the season - decorating the tree, baking, enjoying the lights and area things to do, etc....

Ditto, I start the day after Christmas I plan out what I want to make. With list in hand I start working on my list. I want to enjoy Christmas, not stress out. I put up my Christmas tree in first couple weeks on Nov. That way if it takes me a couple weeks to finish who cares. This year a friend give me a great gift. I am going to make it and give it out to my friends. It was so simple but useful. And too Cute !!!

Jan, you make me laugh. How true what you say.
Are all folks in medical field somewhat anal? Guess I will be in good company when I graduate. Tee hee.
Merry Christmas!

I think I'm starting right after Christmas for the nest year. I'm in the mood to sew(right after this cold goes away)and think I just might get started right away. That way there is plenty of time. My 14 yr old has already requested a quilt with minkee on the back. So my list starts already!!!

Ok, I am in, only I am getting a head start in January! I already bought Christmas material to make aprons for next year! Table runners too! I got a list of items to make thru out the entire year and stash it away! Sure sounds good and I am making an honest effort, or that is the plan anyway! We celebrated earlier today with some of the family, I sure enjoyed the pleasure of giving gifts I made. They loved them! Somehow it seems so much more personal and loving!

I could do a better job of not needing to make a lst min grocery run :-) Happens every time, but this yr was my gift to me.No sewing of gifts in Dec.Cards were done Thanksgiving wk & next yr, will trim that list even more.Another big time saver is making cookie dough & freezing in rolls. Just slice & bake as needed.Holidays can be such a stressful time....if we let it. JMO

I am starting next years Christmas presents as soon as I can get to the store after this Christmas, hoping for a sale.

First, I'd like to thank everyone for the warm welcome and now I know I do fit in, cuz I'm still working on a couple of things and those things that I made early--well, I got so excited, I just gave them away hot off the ironing board. Hope to do a little better next year too, but if not, I seem to be in fine company.

we swap Christmas ornaments between my brothers and sisters. i was making folded star ornaments. Had 6 ready to pin. Notice the word- had. The sisters and my Dad and I go for breakfast. Talk turns to my quilting. And the "fight" started. I have 2, I have none, she has 2 but won't give me one. I've been making table runners for shower prizes for 3 weddings we've had in the past year. Odds are pretty good that they all should have won one by now. No- 2 don't have any.

So, they don't know it but I am making them table runners for Christmas. 8 in 2 weeks. I have 1 I am working on right now and 2 to go. Next year- they will get those folded star ornaments.

duplicate, oops

LOL....they love your handmade gifts.Makes you feel all warm & fuzzy :D