feeling a little guilty for this holiday season

[perSue]

this year, i dont have any money.
so from my side, xmas will be extra small from me.

i'm making as much as I can (homemade stuff).
it's not that these guys dont appreciate hm stuff... it's just being "gadget" oriented, it's not as exciting... y'know? and as a guy, who needs more than 1 scarf? hat? pillow? blanket? etc?
i've got a couple "gift basket" things i plan on making... but that's mostly with stuff i already have or will be making later on.

it's just difficult, cuz i know there will be fewer gifts 'to give'. i guess it'll just be dinky from me and more than asked for 'to receive'.

anyone else feel this way this year?

[TheRootedNomad]

I don't feel that way this year but there have been SEVERAL years where I have. .... and you know what. When it came down to it most of those have been the better years. Everyone loved their stuff anyway and there was no "after the holidays guilt" of overspending. It was all in my head head and my anixety not anyone elses. The holidays are for family and enjoying each other. Stores have made them more commercialized and infused are minds with this pressure that really shouldn't be there. I'm sure your family will love everything and that the holidays will go very well.

[Dancing Lotus]

I have worried about the Holidays for about three yrs now. Every year I think it's going to be awful and every yr it turns out fine.

I'm sorry things are so hard for you. Just keep your eyes peeled. Visit the thrift often and you never know when the perfect gift could be sitting there waiting for you.

[Maine Girl]

I am sorry you are feeling guilty. Could you do family activities during the holidays that don't cost money to lift your spirits and also make memories for your family.
Bake cookies, drive around looking at lights, go to the library and get a christmas movie. Make a special dinner. Also check out what is going on in your local community. Every body has tough years so don't feel bad. Especially this year everybody is going to be cutting back.

[Moor]

Sue like we were talking the other day, make them some homemade goodies.
I have done that for years for the extended family and they enjoy that more than anything that I could buy.

Plus, if you can pick things up when they are on sale, using coupons, it won't break the bank.

Here's an idea also, for those that are gadget savy, get them an accessory to go along with it. Or better yet, make it.
For sister one year, I made her a cell phone holder with a strap attached.
One year, I made all the sil's (there are 6 on dh's side and 2 on my side) a wallet. All of them still carry them.
I have made cd holders that fit over the visor in cars. I have made books that hold cd's.
I made calendars one year.

I could go on and on. LOL

[frugalbabe]

I think the "guilt" comes from when you start seeing what everyone else is buying etc. We have this little red toybox in my living room. It's this little rough box that absolutely does not match my decor at all. But it was handmade by my dh's mom during a Christmas when they too were not going to be able to buy anthing. She painted his name and the year on the side of it. I could easily afford a much more eye pleasing basket to hold the stash of toys that make their way into the living room but I wouldn't dream of it. It means something to us because it isn't some mass produced Made in China garbage. Don't underestimate or sell yourself short your handmade gifts will be around long after the shiny plastic "things" others will get thrown away and you won't be dealing with the after-Christmas regret of credit card bills!

[perSue]

Moor... I do plan on making some goodies.
Some of them will be given to in-laws...
but it's a little difficult to make a bunch of tins/jars of sweets and have someone ask "what are you gonna do w/the rest?" LOL I havent thought of an answer yet

However, Moor, you said:

I could go on and on. LOL

PLEASE go on!!

i'm loving your ideas... I may go w/a CD holder.. maybe an iPod holder too!!
no one has a cell they'd put in a fabric "baggie"... that'd be "embarassing" (for dh). lol

any/all ideas are WELCOME!!!

Thanks for the lift everyone.

I really need one today.

[Moor]

For bil's, I made them all a blanket to keep in the car in case of emergency.

I also found out what sort of hobbies they had. Like on bil loves hunting. So I got him a bunch of hand/foot warmers. Some little things, like scent things, some new feathers for his bow, a box of ammo for his gun, some cloths for cleaning his gun.

One is a police officer, so I made him some things to go along that line. I made him a holder for his cards, a pen/pencil holder for his car, got him a free key lanyard, gave him some free toys I got, so he could give them to kids, if they were involed in the call.

One is a DIYer. So I went to Half Priced Books and got him some books. I also got him some blades that he was looking for, for his saw. I went to a discount hardware store and got a bunch of things that I know he needed. Like those red cloths, I got him some different grades of sandpaper, some wood glue, some clamps, a level, a new tape measure.

The guys really like that I personalize their gifts instead of getting them things that they can't use.

In the past, I have made lots of things for people. Coffee stirrers, homemade instant flavored coffee's, bath salts, floral arrangements, quilts, picnic sets, bedding sets, dolls, curtains, tablecloths, napkins, placemats, kitchen accessories, garage accessories, and all sorts of other things.

[perSue]

I'm taking notes!!

thanks!

[Moor]

You are welcome!
Feel free to message me with questions on how to make something.

[MomToTwoBoys]

I felt that way the last five years or so. We've always been in a financial bind and it makes me feel bad when DH goes and spends a ton on his family, but then I put that much towards the kids and they don't even play with the gifts they get.

I think this year, it's a smaller and more intimate Christmas. We have a bit more wiggle room but that's only because we've been saving since May for it. I want the gifts to be thoughtful but not too extravagant, plus I want people to use them. I used everything I got last year but that's because my mom taught me to be appreciative of what I get and to make sure I use them for anything. I don't want to just blindly spend money on things that people just won't like or won't use.

I know how ya feel with not being able to spend much or anything at all for Christmas. I think people have to be understanding of that, that you can give them what you think they may like that you can afford.

[leezza]

Persue,

Could you give us a little more information on your "gadget" DH.....so we could give you some better idea's.....

******************************************************************************************
Years ago our families agreed that Christmas was for children so that is who we buy for......

My DH and I usually just get one small thing for each other. My favorite gift from him is each year he decorates the tree all by himself for me and I just love it.

Kind Regards,
leezza

[brenda67]

Here's an idea for you..I plan on making these for my family members whom like to drink...HTH...


Homemade Kahlua

Ingredients

1 quart water
2 1/2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons instant coffee
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups vodka

Directions

1Boil water, coffee, sugar.
2Simmer for 3 hours (stirring frequently).
3Let cool and add vanilla and vodka.
4Bottle and cap tightly.



Bailey's Original Irish Cream

Ingredients
1 cup light cream
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (Eagle brand preferred)
1 2/3 cups Irish whiskey
1 teaspoon instant coffee crystals
2 tablespoons Hersheys Chocolate Syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract

Directions
1.Blend together.
2.Refrigerate.
3.Serve over ice.

I have made this recipe for my sil and she went nut's for it...


on a side note you can buy the bottles at the dollar store or if you have or know anyone who drinks they could save the bottle for you..


I also have made hot-n-cold packs (one I made my very materialistic brother for christmas one year who actually argued w/his wife over whom was going to use it..LOL...) I have to find the instructions to make them if you are interested lmk..

[rainbowgc]

You can make a chef's hat and apron in team fabric for those who like to cook.
Here is the how to on the chef's hat:
http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/chefhat.htm

[sunshine]

You can paint little jars with cute sayings on them for "dream" jars - KWIM?

things like:

My Harley Fund

Beer Money

Hunting and Fishing Money

Etc -- throw a few coins in to start it rolling