So, with that in mind, let’s start our {Christmas in July} with a list of everyone we would like to have a gift for. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• family – that goes without saying, right? Who is on your family list?
  • spouse
  • children
  • parents
  • parents-in-law
  • siblings (and in-laws)
  • nieces/nephews
  • aunts/uncles
• friends – how many friends do you have that you exchange gifts with? If you weren’t spending a lot of money on a gift, yet could have a meaningful gift, would that list be longer?
• neighbors – sometimes I dread the obligatory “neighbor gift.” (Really? You want me to hang what on my wall?!?) What if these gifts could be more meaningful? I’ll share some ideas for that too.
• teachers – yours? your kids’?
• church members
• mail carrier – are you one who has given your mail carrier a present? I never was, however, he’s been bringing a lot of packages to our house this year… and he’s even started bringing them to the door with all our mail. He just might be on my list this year.
• co-workers – this one’s tricky… do you give only to those you have direct contact with? only the ones you like? everyone, just so nobody feels left out? Don’t worry… I’ll have some ideas to make everyone in the office happy.
• childrens’ friends – what do you do for all those little munchkins that run in and out of your house?
• charity/secret santa

So, now we have a start on the list. Is there anyone on your lists that I may have left off mine? Let me know, and I’ll update our list.

Stay tuned for more info on the “rules” of gift-giving.