The dreaded C word

That would be "Countdown" of course. Given the topsy turvey nature of the economy these days (and the fact that our retirement accounts have a -28% rate of return for the year - ugh!), we're toning down Christmas this year, family-wide (except for the kiddos of course - hell hath no fury like a 3 year old without her Disney Princess TM stuff). However, handmade gifts seem to be kosher, so my load hasn't toned down at all. It's time to take stock and decide whether I need to start panicking now, or if I can hold off for a couple of weeks before flying into a frenzy.

The cast of family characters who might potentially receive handmade gifts if they keep their noses out of trouble:

TX: Ironman, Devil and Boo
The Massholes: Nana, Grandpa, Uncle J and Auntie Walrus
The DC contingent: Bro and Auntie J
Those VT hippies: Mermaid and Koala

Okay...thats eleven people. Hmmmm...lets dig around back here in the stash cupboard and see what I've got.

One, two, three, number four is on the needles, number 5 is barely on the needles, six needs finishing, seven is a knitter and, as such, can knit her own present. Ooooo, and that thing I finished knitting almost two years ago and never put together can go there, so...

...I only need to come up with three brand-new completed gifties in the next five weeks. That's not too bad. Although if I give Boo that, Devil is going to want one too. And Boo needs a Tomten as well (thank Bob those are fast to knit!). Plus finishing number four is going to be a slog. Hmmmm...

Since I love the strikethrough, let's take another look at the list:

TX: Ironman, Devil and Boo
The Massholes: Nana, Grandpa, Uncle J and Auntie Walrus
The DC contingent: Bro and Auntie J
Those VT hippies: Mermaid and Koala

So, four definitely finished, four in various stages of doneness, and three as yet un-cast-on (or identified in some cases). I think it's fair to say that panic can be postponed until at least after Turkey Day.

I also think it's fair to say that my grand plans for gifties for WHMU(WHSKAL) will have to be put on hold. But hey, I think the gifts will still go over well in, oh let's say, March. You ladies won't turn down yarn, right? Stupid question.