It's probably no surprise that in year's past our holiday spending was way out of control. With big families on both sides (I have eight siblings myself) there were too many people to count that we usually shopped for. This year obviously we didn't have the means or the credit. This year I decided months in advance that I was tired of 1)shopping for that many people, 2) worrying about how we'd pay for everything. So I made a plan to make everyone's gifts and that's what we did. Well, for the most part. We did pick up a few clearance items here and there that we knew some would appreciate. We spent an average of $1.50 per gift this year and everyone oohed and ahhed like I've never seen. I got so many compliments and requests for instructions, recipes, etc.... Now it's January and I feel so content knowing I didn't spend a ton of money we didn't really have. We planned and prepared and didn't break our budget. I know that we were in a position where we had to do this, but I'm so proud of us. I'm so grateful for all that I learned here because I wouldn't have been able to do it without the ladies here and all of the great ideas. I want to start getting ready for next year so I can actually sit back and enjoy the holiday next year:) This is the first time I've ever been able to relax after a holiday and it really feels good. It also feels good knowing our friends and family were happy with what they got. Some of them got us significantly more and I kind of felt bad, but I know they all understand where we're at right now.

Good for you--it must feel great to relax!

It's great that you didn't break your budget and everyone liked their gifts. Good for you!!

That's awesome! Only $1.50/gift??? I'm amazed!

What did you make, out of curiosity? It may give the rest of us some ideas and help for next Christmas!

Excellent job!! :)

I'd love to know what you made, too!! We have really keep things tight as dh will be in school full time at least thru this Dec...if not thru May (depending on class availability). Please, fill us in! :D

I made the bath salts recipe that was included in the "making your own stuff" thread and I also made a few homemade jar soup mixes I found online. I covered the jars in a xmas fabric that I got for $2 clearanced and I used baskets I got off of freecycle. I was able to find the jars inexpensively after canning season ended. Now they did have that clear writing on the jar, but I don't think anyone noticed or cared. We made the fifty pound recipe for the bath salts and I was able to get the coloring, glycerin, and scents for 30% off. Good timing I guess. Most of the people we give to our women so it worked out well. Like I said we had a few other odds and ends stuff here we found clearanced. HTH

Way to Go! That is impressive! We didn't go over our budget this year (a first) but I want to do better this year.

You made some fabulous gifts at fabulous prices. :) Great job!

I think it absolutely wonderful that you made homemade gifts. I love to receive them, but I don't very often, because everyone in my family has the $$ to spend ( or so it seems, LOL) and they would rather receive a new shirt from Chrsitopher and Banks, than other things. I wish would do a family challenge, for instance: each family draws a family names, and you would have to make a homemade gift for each family. I DID Go OVER my budget for X-mas and did use a cc and now I hate myself for it. I will paying it off with my tax return but if you notice in my siggy I have other bills that could have been paid with that money. I congratulate you on doing so well, I am jealous!!!! I am determined that this entire year is going to my new financial beginning, and with the saying about "peace at Christmas" , well this year it will have more than one meaning for me, I am going to have the peace about $$$ too. You know what I mean? Congrats again, you should be so proud.

That is Great. I was highly thinking about doing homade christmas gifts for next year. On the bath salts I have just one question though. Other that buying the epson salt where do you buy the other ingreants for it?

I'm so happy for you! I totally want to have that feeling of peace after the holidays, but that didn't happen this year. I totally went overboard and now I am trying to get caught up on bills. I'm just hoping we will get a tax refund, but knowing my luck this will be the year we owe since we have always gotten a refund. If that's the case I will definetly have to get a part-time job right away which I really don't want to since I go to school at night. The good thing though is I will be done with school in October and then I will be able to get a full-time job and pay for Christmas with cash.

Very impressive-good for you for sticking to your plan. You give the rest of us hope....

that is so awesome. dh's family hates homemade items, but htey all have money. my family is kinda the same but for some it would be ok.

How wonderful. I'm glad they appreciated the effort that went into your gifts.

I always appreciated the little $1 gifts my nephews gave me ... the ones they bought with their very own money more than anything else I ever got.

Dad is an only child so there's nothing on his side of the family. On Mom's side of the family, everyone brings a gift for less than $5 and we play Dirty Christmas and everyone leaves with whatever gift they have left when the game is finished. There are close to 50 of us now so it would be impossible to buy for everyone. And we have fun with the game.

My immediate family -- Mom, Dad, brother, sister, in-laws -- draw names. Then I just get the all the kids something because they'd be disappointed if I didn't. There are only five of them and I pick up things here and there throughout the year for them; and they end up with a bag full of goodies that didn't cost all that much because I found them at yard sales or thrift stores. They love seeing the variety of surprises.

$1.50 a gift...wow, that is incredible! Very few people in our family want hm gifts. But I'm thinking about learning to knit so I can do scarves and gloves for people. I'd also like to start making soaps again--the kids loved the ones I made with toys inside! I had to quit when we ran short of money and I couldn't buy supplies.

A frugal and special gift for a mother or a grandma: Snag the old baby clothes and make a blanket(or quilt). Or a small pillow with a photo on the front. If you're crafty--check thrift stores for old jackets you can paint on. I found a leather coat for my nephew, who loves Harry Potter. I painted the Gryffindor symbol on the back and he went nuts over it. He didn't care a bit that it wasn't perfect!!

Personally--I think sometimes the more inexpensive the gift, the more meaningful it can be. You really have to pay attention to what you're buying, and not just grab a package off a shelf!!

How awesome! WTG!! I too stayed under budget this year and didn't use any CC's. It was a wonderful feeling :)