My Christmas Shopping This Year

I don't know if you are done or have even started your Christmas shopping yet. I did a little bit of mine on Black Friday but I'm not quite done yet. I have about 7 things that I need to get for a few people on my Christmas list.

I am eyeing a couple of gift baskets that I want to get for a couple of my special friends. Right now, I have to look at my budget though. I admit, this year wasn't as good for me as last year in terms of income. So I am on a budget and looking for affordable items but at the same time I want to be able to get some really nice gifts too. Something that the people on my list can use and that they can truly appreciate.

How about you? How is your Christmas shopping going so far?

Our Christmas Tree This Year...

I am posting a picture of our family Christmas tree here, in response to some requests from my blogger friends, LOL. Here it is.

It is positioned in the center of the window in the formal dining room. In the evening when the Christmas lights are lit, I open both sides of the curtain so that it is visible from the outside. We did not do any decorating outside the house, so with our tree being visible from outside serves as like our main outdoor Christmas decor. I will probably go to the craft store this afternoon to get more bows for my candle holders that I put on top of my fireplace mantle. The bows will match the ribbons that I will tie both sides of my curtains by the Christmas tree. I like to coordinate colors when I decorate. That also holds true when I dress, most of the time anyways. Not always. But yes, I color coordinate my wardrobe to my shoes, purse, and jewelry whenever I can. :)

Anyways, the Christmas presents are not wrapped yet, but normally I would put them under the tree. These days though, I wait 'til Christmas eve night before putting them under the tree to be opened on Christmas morning. Or else, my toddler will be opening them wayyyyyyy before Christmas morning if I put those gifts before then, LOL. He loooooves opening gifts. Last year, he was only a year and a half old and he had a blast opening all his presents. :)

Decorating For The Holidays

So I actually started putting up the Christmas tree last evening. My hubby and I took about six big boxes from the garage, full of all sorts of Christmas goodies. It's funny how sometimes you forgot what you already had until you see them again. I was thinking of going to my favorite candle store (Yankee Candle) one day this week to get new Christmas-scented candles. But I was surprised I still have two big candle jars, all still looking good and still nice to use this year so I'm happy I don't have to buy those anymore. Good thing, as my Christmas shopping budget this year is a little crunched.

Anyways, our Christmas tree right now so far, is halfway lit. I had to go to the store at my work lunch break tomorrow to pick up new multilights as half of the ones I bought from last year no longer works (sucks!).

So but I'm happy I'm off to a good start on my Christmas decorating. I will also be posting the Christmas tree pic here, once it's all done. I'm excited! :)

Decorating My Blog For The Holidays...

Hmmm..my blogger friends seem to have some kind of influence on me. I see thier blogs getting decorated for the Christmas holidays now.

So maybe tonight I'll do something about mine. I love Christmas and getting into the holiday spirit just by decorating is a wonderful, soothing therapy for me anytime! :)

Speaking of decorating for Christmas, I was thinking of taking out our tree from the garage today. It's a seven year old, 5 feet tall artificial tree that is still really in very good condition and one that I've always handled with care with every move we had. In case you don't know, I probably moved a dozen times to different palces here in the U.S. for the last seven years, LOL.

Anyways, from how my day is going and it's now almost 4PM here in Texas, it looks like I might not be able to do it until tomorrow. I have about 2 more loads to go into my washing machine, then tackle my ironing the rest of the evening. Of course, this is not to mention the routines. :)

How's your weekend going? Have you started decorating your house for the holidays?