From: pamela4848

GIFT GIVING IDEAS
Some ideas that have worked for me during 25 years of marriage and three children:
1. Begin Christmas shopping for the following year on December 26, or as
soon as gift wrap, cards, tree ornaments, holiday dishtowels, etc. go on
sale. Sometimes this is the week BEFORE Christmas. By stocking up when
everything is half price or 75 percent off, I save a lot. I never buy these items in
the fall at full price.

2. During the year, when traveling or at sales, buy gifts that could be
used in a variety of gift-giving situations: Christmas, birthday
parties, secret sisters, weddings. We often find special things for
holiday gifts while on vacation. I have several storage boxes that are
my "gift boxes."  I can't tell you how many last-minute shopping trips
have been avoided by consulting the gift boxes, especially for
children's birthday parties.

3. When your children ask for toys, books, or clothing items during the
year, say, "Would you like to have that as a Christmas gift?"  If the
answer is yes and it's within your budget for that child, buy it and
keep it till Christmas. I have found that even young children quickly
learn that when December 1st comes and they suddenly find some toy that
they want to add to their Christmas list, Mommy may reply, "I'm sorry,
but I've already bought  your Christmas presents." This helps them learn
to weigh their choices and be more discerning with what they beg for all
year. As a result, my children are no longer "beggers." And they 
automatically say "Thank you!" when we buy something for them. 
What a great feeling!

4. The general rule of thumb at our house for children's Christmas gifts is:
a. At least one good book.
b. Several items of clothing that are needed at the moment (this included a 
Christmas stocking full of "first bras" one year!).
c. Something fun that could be shared, like a game.
d. One item that falls in the "desire of their heart" category.
e. Miscellaneous "serendipity" items as affordable.

5. On Christmas morning our children were allowed to get up whenever
they wished and open their stockings ONLY!  Then we had breakfast and
got dressed before gift-opening began. This helped with their impatience
to receive something first thing, and allowed the day to start on ahappy note.

6. Opening gifts is not a free-for-all at our house. We show respect for
the giver and value each gift by opening them one at a time, taking turns.

Here's how it works:  Perhaps the youngest child will begin. He will
give his gift to each family member. One by one we open them around the
circle, and exclaim over them and thank the giver. This continues on up
to gifts from parents. The one large or special gift for each person is
saved until last, which heightens the anticipation.

7. At the beginning of the Advent Season, on the first Sunday, our
family tradition is to unpack and set up a special ceramic nativity set
that was given to us years ago. Since each piece is wrapped carefully in
tissue paper, and there are many pieces, it's almost a "gift opening"
time. Each person chooses a piece from the box to  unwrap and place 
near the stable. The "prize" is Baby Jesus. The person who unwraps 
him is special.

8. And finally, a children's birthday party idea (non-holiday related
tip). We asked each child to bring one toy that was no longer played
with, but was in good condition. It was gift-wrapped and put on a pile.
Each child then chose one gift to open and take home. EVERYBODY got a
new toy, NOBODY spent any money, and the game prizes, food, and time
with friends satisfied the birthday child.