Stepmoms / Bio Moms Debate

This is my first Christmas with in-laws and a big family.

Normally I have mom, sister, BIL, niece, nephew, and DD.

This year I added DH and his - Mom, Dad, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents.

I'm thinking DD gets the bulk of the Christmas spend (we want to get her a play kitchen, art table and supplies), Niece/Nephew will get probably $100 total in gift cards/cash. I can make something for Mom/Sister and BIL will take a case of beer. :)

DH's mom wants a calendar with pictures of DD. Not sure what to give his dad... His Aunts/Uncles/Grandparents/Cousins I might just make some cookies to send or something.

Thoughts?

What are you guys doing? Any hot items this Christmas?

DH and I haven't exchanged any gifts before so I'm not sure if we will....

i think the plan you have in mind is right-on B ;)....baked goodies for the extended aunts/uncles sounds yummy (and appropriate, i wouldn't want to start off on a habit of exchanging gifts with masses of people!)....i buy a bunch of seasonal tins at the dollar store for cookie gifts (also good to have some extra on-hand in case a neighbor stops buy with a little something).

my big/extended family draws a name for a grab-bag on Thanksgiving, with a price limit of about $25....we than exchange when we next get-together on xmas eve...an uncle dresses as Santa to hand them out after dinner...so thats a fun idea for big familys like with your in-laws.

as for you and your hubby...one tradition i love is a tree ornament each year...its so sweet to trim the tree and have all those memories...and easy enough for a guy to simply walk into the Hallmark store and pick LOL....i have some really gorgeous ones i cherish....a couple of years when money or time was tight we exchanged more substantial couple gifts for Valentines day.

ps, i love the calendar idea....my granddaughter made one in pre-pre-school a few years back, some pages were creatively made with her colorful hand or foot prints (ie, i think one her hands were place to make it look like a reindeer)....that was really cute.

as for you and your hubby...one tradition i love is a tree ornament each year...its so sweet to trim the tree and have all those memories...and easy enough for a guy to simply walk into the Hallmark store and pick LOL>>

I love this idea! But will add, why not get a picture ornament every year and put a X-mas picture of you, hubby, DD and then future offspring. I think it would be great to see them on the tree as the family matures and grows. :)