My Frugal Christmas

**mkkl19** · 12-23-2008, 12:45 AM

I normally spend about $1000 on Christmas but this year I spent $403 on 18 people!!!! This includes our 2 children, 7 nieces/nephews, 4 parents, 1 grand parent, 2 adult gifts, and me and my husband. All the gifts are sure to be liked and appriciated, most are what they asked for.

I did this by checking the ads every week, starting early, and using coupons.

How did you do for Christmas 08?

**MommyBliss** · 12-23-2008, 12:51 AM

Congrats to you!!!! I think we spent about $1000 for 17 people. I did buy early and watched deals. That was good for me, because I spent about double that last year.

**sueh** · 12-23-2008, 08:24 AM

I am not sure of the exact figure but I know that I spent way less than I have in the past.
I have scaled back on Christmas so much this year.
I started right after last holiday and I will do the same this year. Christmas 2009 I am hoping to do more handmade stuff for presents.

**homesteadmamma** · 12-23-2008, 08:38 AM

WTG on those savings. That's an incredible difference. You've done well.

I haven't totalled mine yet, however I did spend less than last year.

**imagine** · 12-23-2008, 10:12 AM

You did very well! That is a big difference! Congratulations!

Here is my total for Christmas includes postage, presents, basically everything except food-- that comes out of the regular food budget.

Just under $500 for 33 people

4 nieces and nephews
4 brothers and sisters (and their spouses)
5 grandparents
3 aunts and uncles
3 parents
9 teachers
2 angel tree children
2 children (my daughter and son)
1 Hubby

A big handful of Christmas cards to friends and relatives

( and 44.55 of that was postage to send cards and gifts wish this was less but most of our family lives away)

**many houseapes** · 12-25-2008, 02:26 PM

I did better this year.(excluding dinner) Last year I spent 365.00 for 14 people - this year I spent a total of $328.98. $2.53 was postage to send my grandmother's present.

1 grandmother
2 parents
1 husband
10 children

**JessieMom** · 12-25-2008, 03:30 PM

Our total spent (sort of) was $2150, we gave to:
3 children
6 parents
2 grandparents
5 adult siblings
14 pre-teen girls (Em's competition group & a couple friends)
2 dance teachers
5 regular teachers
1 babysitter & her son
1 of my friend's son
We got over $500 in gift cards from rewards programs (hotels stays/gas points/mypoints) that we used as gifts. We ended up saving about $150 in change and made $150 from ebay that I used toward gifts. So out of our budget it was $1350 which is much better than last year.

**Mom23boys** · 12-25-2008, 03:46 PM

What a huge difference in your Christmas spending! That is great!!

We were way under what we spent last year. I got some great bargains on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I didn't even have to go to the store to get these deals on Black Friday. I shopped online from the comfort of my home. Everyone seems to like their gifts, so I am happy about that.

**mom2matty** · 12-25-2008, 04:30 PM

WTG everyone!!

We cut way back this year, I still spent a lot but not nearly as much as I did last year. This next year will be even better!!

**Debbie-cat** · 12-25-2008, 11:44 PM

Not sure as I buy gifts all year. I think it is less than last year and next year I am going to keep track so I can tell you then!

**JanieD** · 12-26-2008, 02:45 PM

I'm over my Christmas budget by $35 or so. I spent around $415 on 19; includes DH, my parents, sister & her family (6 total), friend & her 3 kids (includes shipping overseas), 2 more friends & 4 coworkers. I usually find deals which helped me to give nice gifts without spending too much. However, I tend to add extras at the last minute thinking I don't have enough. Should save those extras for later (birthdays & such). I would like to spend less for 2009 by giving some handmade items, which I already have supplies for those. I also plan to shop more year round.

**BlessedMomof2** · 12-26-2008, 03:03 PM

Good Job everyone on those savings!
We cut back this year, we usually spend about $600 on all our loved ones. We set a budget of $450 this year and spent a total of $289.50 on presents.
I think we did an awesome job with saving $ on our gift giving this year. Everyone got what they wanted and best of all we paid CASH for it all.
I'm hoping next year's christmas shopping goes just as good if not even better.