Four Months until Christmas

I hate to break it to you but, it's almost Christmas.

Soon I will be sitting down to write my list.

I write my present list and look at what I gave friends

and family as gifts last year 

(yes, I have a little log since 2007).

I do this so I do not get you the same thing over and over.

Except for kids, I give them pijamas 80% of the time.

They will be getting plenty of toys from Santa and I am 

totally unaware of what kids dig anyways.

They will always need pijamas.

I have rules that I have set up to keep it simple.

So, If you are:

1. Married:

a) I give the gift to the person who is my friend, 

b) I will give a "couple" gift or

c) Something for your home.

2. Married or single with kids:

A) Present is for kids.

3. Single or dating:

The present is for my friend.

4. Co Workers

Everyone gets either the same thing or something similar.

I have done book markers, Carrot cake, cookies, brownies.

It's just a tiny something from me, as we all play Secret Santa.

In this line I include neighbors, usually just one next door (it's 2 apartments per floor).

5. Ex Co Workers

I send one thing so they can share.

They have gotten plants, huge baskets with cookies, brownies, eggnog, special jams, nuts, crackers and so on.

6. Family

I follow the same "rule" as for friends.

If my uncles/aunts have kids, the kids get it. Even if the kids are 30.

If the kids (my cousins) have kids, then their kids get the goodies.

If you live in another country you will get a handwritten card through the mail.

This goes for everyone except my mom, she gets a present which I usually buy on line and have it delivered at her home on time.

7. Godsons/daughters

Between my H and I we have 4 godsons/daughters.

We try to spend the exact same amount on presents for each, we also try to give them similar items, so there is no "favorite".

For example, last year two of them whose moms are friends got two big bags, each carried:

2 Books, one same color polo t shirt, one tricycle and so on. All very similar.

8. Service Providers

This includes: Security guards and staff from our apartment building; cleaning lady, pet groomers and the girls at the salon I have gone to for the last couple of years.

For the apartment building personnel it's usually cookies, for the cleaning lady usually ca$h, pet groomers get brownies or similar and for the salon I have chinese breakfast delivered. They are all nice, they all don't do my hair or nails, so I give them something they can share.

My list use to be really long... 

with the years it has been getting shorter.

I begin shopping for these presents usually in October,

mostly because the presents come put of my paycheck and 

not savings and it's a way to balance it out.

SO, tell me.

How do YOU do it ?