Trust Me Tuesday's Christmas Edition

Christmas Edition

My favorite time of the year is by far Christmas!  I just feel it brings everyone together and puts them in an overall happy mood in spite of the gloomy weather.  

Now most people go all out at Christmas time, between the decorations and gifts, they devote everything to Christmas.

I must admit I do go all out with decorating.  I have scaled back a little this year in order to get a "theme" under way.  But here is my thought on gifting.

TRUST ME!

Every year I sit down and make a list of the people we would like to get gifts for.  It seems that each year the list gets longer and longer and the money in the back is less and less.

I have become more and more aware that for most adults, it means so much more to them if you make it!  Kids on the other hand are more about quantity.  So for them I try to wrap each individual gift so it looks like a lot.  

This year I handmade or added my own personal touches to 75% of the gifts under our tree.  

I believe all in all I have spent roughly $100 thus far.  Now I have yet to purchase anything for Chris but we have agreed to wait until after Christmas when we have some of our bills caught up before we buy our gifts for eachother. 

And as far as Alex goes, when I make something or buy something for him I typically just give it to him.  A couple of months ago we joined the Disney Movie Club and just purchase movies for him as time goes along and we said then that would be his Christmas gift.  But I have purchased two things and put them under the tree and a few movies and day to day needs in his stocking.  

I just can't justify saving the things I have purchased for him at this point when a.) he won't remember it (other than the photos I will take) and b.)  so many other people have bought him such great gifts and he will be thoroughly overwhelmed with toys and such.  

So this year as guilty as it makes me I will be that mom that gave her child everything she bought him before Christmas.  **Apart from a few things.** 

But through this jumble of words all I am trying to get across it that you do not need to blow your budget on Christmas and then when you take the time to think things through and hand make something it will mean that much more.

Trust Me Tuesday Baby Registry Edition

So today I am going to start a series of Trust Me Tuesday.  Where each week I give my opinion on one topic, be it a broad topic or a specific thing.  

This week I have chosen to blog about Baby Registries.

As Mom's to be we are so excited to make the registry for our baby showers!  It is so exciting to go to the store and pick out all of the things for your future son or daughter.

NOW here is where I will get real with you.  You do not need half of the stuff they have in the store.

TRUST ME!

Coming from a Mommy on a budget, I think I know pretty well.

The less of the unnecessary items you register for the more likely you are to get your important items, and then if you get all of the important items and have extra money or gift cards you can get the luxuries.

Now here are the must haves for your registry.

A crib
Newborn Car Seat and one base for each of your cars
Next size carseat, again one for each car.
Stroller
A baby carrier (I prefer Baby Bjorn over Moby, but get it used,I got my Baby Bjorn for $20 at Once upon a Child))
Jumper
High chair for when they are ready for solids.
Diapers (in all sizes, you will thank me for this in the long run!)
Wipes
Bottles (They will come in handy for the breastfeeding momma's also)
A baby monitor (audio is really all you need, but I will admit I recently splurged on a video monitor and it is fantastic!)
Burp Cloths (the diaper kind)
Bibs with the plastic backs
Backpack
Sheets


Here are the things you DO NOT need.

A wipe warmer
A bottle warmer
Toys (you can pick these up as you go, until they are about 6 months they will only collect dust)
A bouncy seat (You can put them in their car seat and make that bounce)
A walker ( they are not recommended by most doctors, anyway)
Safety items (they are usually so cheap and you don't really need them until closer to 1 year)
A fancy diaper bag.  (You don't need to spend tons of money on a diaper bag that will be filled with poopy diapers and formula or urine or vomit soaked clothes.  Go buy a backpack at Walmart (I think they may be $20, and are very easily replaceable.))
A bed set ( you really just need sheets, bumpers are not recommended and they should not be using the blanket either.)
Changing Table
Receiving Blankets (You will get inundated with these whether you register for them or not)
Clothes (You can stock up at resale shops or consignment events that way you get outfits you like, plus you will get outfits anyway)
Blankets (You will also get inundated with these)




Trust me!  You will thank me if you follow these guidelines