Only 6 more.........

[lovestolaugh]

If you get paid on the 15th and 30th of the month then there are only 6 more paychecks between now and Christmas...Gulp. Luckily I have the bulk of my shopping done but I still need about another $500 to finish it up. Plus my dd's birthday is Jan. 2 and I have to have money for that. I sure hope I get some overtime in the coming weeks or it will be a little dicey this holiday season.

[Bournecrazy]

i only have 7 left and the 7th falls on xmas eve so i get paid the day before. I did have 200 saved up i bought 11 gifts so far but i had to use the money on something for the wedding so will need to build it up again.

[NewLeaf]

Over the last few years we have cut back our Holiday spending. And as I'm sure alot of you already know from your own experiences we still had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas. It wasn't the money we spent that made the memories, it was the time we spent together as a family. We did alot of simple but fun things. Just an old fashioned Christmas. We made cookies and ornaments. We made our traditional "holidaY" hot chocolate mix. We watched old favorites on the t.v. We turned off the t.v. and turned on Christmas music while we all decorated the house. We rode around and saw "the lights". It may seem corney but the last few holiday seasons have been the best - and they weren't focused on gifts.

This year will be hard for us too. We are telling our kids to tell us the one thing they really want (the Santa gift). We'll take it from there. I have been using some toy coupons and some H&B coupons for stocking stuffers.
We will get our mothers something special too. For friends I have some special "autumn olive" jelly and for teachers I have tons of candle, plug in airfresheners, difffusers and things I have gotten for free and nearly free.
I have alot of seasonal stress from wanting to please everyone and to let everyone know that I care..... I think it will turn out o.k. .After all I have all of my Frugal Village friends to talk with.

[Maine Girl]

New leaf i love how you and your family celebrates christmas. This weekend i have hit thrift stores and craft stores for inspiration. I make most of my gifts...I am thinking this year will be a little leaner than last year.

[hotprincesscm]

I have been saving money up now for several months, haven't started shopping yet. I get paid weekly, plus tips every day...so I put a little away, at least once a week. I have sworn to myself to stay away from credit cards this holiday season, so whatever is saved, is what I'll have to spend for everyone I buy gifts for! No more CC debt for me!

[Kerjack]

I only have 6 more paychecks as well. But on November 10ish 2009 I get $1 for every hour I've worked since August 10th 2009 to a maximum of $500. So far I have about 200ish hours banked up. I plan on using this money for Christmas.

Hopefully it will be enough.

[Bournecrazy]

... Just an old fashioned Christmas. We made cookies and ornaments. We made our traditional "holidaY" hot chocolate mix. We watched old favorites on the t.v. We turned off the t.v. and turned on Christmas music while we all decorated the house. We rode around and saw "the lights". It may seem corney but the last few holiday seasons have been the best - and they weren't focused on gifts.

that is what i am trying to get back into enjoying hte festive season, hense the reason why i do all my gift buying now then come Dec i can enjoy all the other things

[acabin42]

Mine is done...except for a gift for DH. I started in January this year and got things on clearance all year and have many things sitting here waiting for a holiday to come around.
Gift sets of bath oils and lotions were on clearance in January for $3.00 each. Every woman and girl on my list gets one. I have several different fragrances.
Men and boys are getting wallets and gloves.

I will do the same thing next year. Shop clearances all year long.

[Debbie-cat]

I only have DS, DH and DFIL left to buy for. I have everyone else done...opps, forgot my brother and best friends husband whom we exchange with as well but all they want is a case of beer so I don't buy that until right before Christmas. I have DS's most expensive gift bought already...with cash and have a few things for DH and DFIL so I don't need much more. I am going to enjoy myself this year and not have to stress about nuttin.

[mauimagic]

Mahalo for all the sharings - what I am personally getting is a feeling of strength in that I am going to do what gives me joy and keeps me stress free this holiday season and forevermore!!

We will keep with our tradition of everyone gathering on Kauai for Christmas. Since the other family that travels does so for $400 total and it will cost us $1600 - that is where every extra penny that I have will go. Being together is what really is important. Everyone will be getting great gifts this year - as usual. This year, even more will be handmade!! I have been fun thinking of frugal things that will reflect interests of each individual. The season is full of joy and I certainly intend to be!!

[Luv2BeFrugal]

I've got most of it done...still need to buy a few more things, but not much - $100 should do it, no problem.

For the rest...a friend and I will be baking Christmas gifts together this year...teamwork and all. We just don't have the resources to spend a lot. Should be a nice time, though.

[Maine Girl]

Oh that is a good idea to share resources!!

[mcphlips]

We are traveling across the country this year, so just the trip is a big part of our Christmas. Luckily my family picked names and we only have to spend $30 on one person and my mom and my sisters and I make 1 homemade gift.
I am hoping that at least with less to purchase the holiday season will run smoothly and we can enjoy some of the events of the season rather than run around like crazy people trying to get shopping done.

[Dancing Lotus]

I feel like I am the only one who hasn't even thought about starting yet.