I usually start the day after Christmas for the next year, lol!
We have really cut back in the last few years. It just got to the point where I was buying for everybody under the sun because I felt obligated to. A few years ago DH got sick and we couldn't afford it, so I said enough was enough and am so grateful I did. I remember someone here posted a thread about being tired of buying gifts for people they never see and I thought "Hey, me too!" So our list is simpler now. We buy for:
DS (4)
Our Grandmas
DH Parents/ My Mom
Secret Santa for Siblings/ Siblings in Law on DH's side (I'm an only child so no need there!)
My cousin's 2 daughters, ages 7 and 5, who I treat as nieces.
2 year old niece on my husband's side.
Godson and his sister (Ages 10 and 4). I have a goddaughter too, but I almost never hear from them anymore so I'm still debating what to do there. If I do it'll be something small. I sort of get the feeling they are trying to cut down on gifting and holiday spending, and I want to respect that. I don't want to get something and then make them feel like they have to do the same for DS.
1 Friend and I usually pick up something small ($10 or less) for her 11 year old twins.
That's it. This year I will also be getting something for DS's Preschool teacher. I need to go to Pinterest for ideas, but I know she 100% funds her own classroom (which is based out of her home) so I'm thinking of getting some supplies I know they use a lot and arranging them in a cute way. Maybe a dry erase marker bouquet or something like that. I'm not very crafty so it needs to be easy, lol.
I've got a good bit for DS. His birthday is right after Thanksgiving so I have the expense of that and his party, too. He's had a few requests but nothing major, and I've compiled those into a list for grandparents and other family to give them some ideas. Anything they don't get I'll try to pick up, but I got him a Playmobil Zamboni, Hotwheels, several books... and his first video game! It's a Paw Patrol PS4 game. I can't remember everything else but I decided I'm going to go lighter on Christmas from now on since his birthday is so close, and make a bit of a bigger deal out of Easter so that he gets some things spread out a bit.
For his birthday, we are taking him to Great Wolf Lodge. I'm sure the Elf will bring his hotwheels advent calendar there if I ask nicely since we will be there when it begins, and DH and I will wrap up something to give him from us the morning of his birthday. I'm thinking maybe an RC car or something without a lot of little parts since he'll be getting it away from home.
I got our 2 year old niece a baby shark craft kit from Amazon Warehouse Deals and 2 winter outfits since she lives up north. Found those on clearance at Children's Place over the summer. I think starting next year I'll ask SIL for her list and get something she asks for since she'll be old enough for requests by then.
My nieces are coming to Disney Thanksgiving weekend for the first time, so I got them each hand sanitizer holders shaped like mermaid fins from Bath and Body and will get them each 2 holiday hand sanitizers for their park bags. Then I'm getting them each a craft kit since they like arts and crafts now.
Got my friend some Disney things since they'll also be going to WDW around Christmas. Not getting more specific than that since she frequents these boards as well from time to time! Her twins are each getting a Disney drawstring bag filled with goodies for the road trip and a Disney Keychain.
I'm anxiously waiting for my Godson and his sister to finish their wish lists. Their mom usually uses Target's Holiday and Birthday wish lists for them, which I love as I know i'm getting something they've requested and I can send it right to them. Plus it marks items off like a wedding or baby registry so it cuts down on duplicate gifts. I'm probably going to order their gifts ASAP and ship them to their mom to hide since they're predicting so many shortages this year.
We are taking a
Disney cruise in January so i think DH and I will just do stockings this year. I may get him a few things if he wants but I'm telling him just a few stocking stuffers for me and I'll save my $$ to buy a souvenir or do something fun on the ship.
Looking for sentimental gifts for our parents and grandmas from DS. he has TBall photos this weekend so maybe I'll get pics printed and framed or a statuette or something. I need to look at the order form and see what they're offering.
I'm not as ahead as usual this year but I'm ok with that. I always get amazing ideas from ya'll with these threads so keep the inspiration coming!