Christmas in July and August

DS playing Santa-with lot's of extra padding.

Besides back to school ads starting all over again, I see a lot of Christmas in July advertisement. I've not done any pre-buying for Christmas yet, though I have a few things tucked away from after Christmas sales for a few upcoming birthday presents. I'll start checking out the clearance racks and aisles at places like Kohl's and Target and online options as well for staples that can be bought now, but used next winter or early spring. My immediate family will be light shopping-the trip will serve as their major gift for a few Christmas's, plus for all, cash is king right now. Still, a few useful things, and some lovely things will be on my in head shopping list for the four of them. 

With my invite to pick blueberries, I'm of the mind to make some gifts. I've never made blueberry jam or jelly before, but I picture some jars of jams under peoples trees this year, specifically my mother-in-law. She is getting increasingly difficult to buy for, but I thought a nice basket of assorted jam's, jelly's, flavored coffee's, and candy might be a nice gift. She entertains a lot, morning coffee and afternoon coffee, and I would at least know these are put to use. She'll also get a story from the gift, "My daughter-in-law made this jam. She went to a patch near Maiden Rock..." as she loves to have stories attached to things. The jam gifts will not be frugal though, as I needed more jars-where does one source free and low cost jars???? With berries, pectin, and jars and lids, I'll get 12 small jams out of them. I'll do another batch of strawberry as well, and perhaps when the local peaches are ready, some peach preserves. 

I'm no crafter, but I can embroider. I'm on the hunt for inexpensive flour sack towels. With my jam idea, I thought including a fruit embroidered towel or two would be cute. This one would be a stretch to do, as I get ambitious, and then sewing falls on the way side. Perhaps seeing my bank balance after the trip will be an inspiration to complete the thrifty gift! 

Last year I scored knit mittens for $4.00, clearanced from $16. Sometimes, tucked away on the Internet sites are last years winter wear. I should have been looking this spring, but maybe I'll get lucky. I bought pairs for both daughters last year. I myself love a gift of good mittens-and hats and scarves. I'll search for all. Add a small gift card for a coffee shop, or even a tin of nice cocoa or tea, and I think a pretty suitable gift for anyone living up here. 

My sister-in-law started the photo books for my mother-in-law, so I won't coy that, but I think for DH, a book with pictures from Alaska (they are still on SD cards) and the UK (uploaded and some in prints), and for our next trip would be appreciated. I'll time these each with the photo book codes and each one should be only about $10. I may make one for each kid as well. I don't want to haul a bunch of souvenirs back from our trip. We will have pictures and our memories, and other people really do not want stuff from someone else's trip. However, though I know little about sending alcohol home, but if it seem reasonable to do so, we will. 

I don't feel like I have to be started with Christmas shopping, but I do like to be ahead of the shopping frenzy. Last year I downsized my budget because of the trip and this year will be more of the same. While I don't think anyone takes out a calculator, I'd still like to give gifts that don't look like I downsized. I want my gifts to feel like some attention was put into them. Thinking this far ahead helps me accomplish that. Some years are better than others.