$100 for Christmas?

[sunshine]

If you only had $100 to spend on Christmas, what would you get? Would your list be shorter? Would you stop giving to some altogether?

No fair using your pantry and craft supply stash either! Some simply don't have those.

I want to know what you would do if you really only had $100 to spend.

[mtjsmom]

The first thing that came to mind was a HUGE family dinner! I would buy the kids each something small as a token sort of but then I woould invite the grandparents and odells brothers and have a big family feast. Thats what its all about anyways right?

Carol

[Sara Noel]

Is $100 just gifts or including food for the holiday?

[homesteadmamma]

What Sara said Denise. Let us know, then I'll post my answer.

[sunshine]

$100 total- to include whatever you want to do to celebrate the holiday.

[sunshine]

Me? ? I'd buy a few baking supplies and give friends/family some baked goods, along with some handmade coupons for additional baked goods throughout the year.

I'd hit the thrift stores and yard sales for clothes that would make good fabic and I'd be up late nights sewing gifts for dh and the kids. I'd look for items that would be nice gifts, things to remake, yarns for knitting and crocheting, etc.

I'd be out in the forest, scavenging pinecones and other wild things for decorations and gifts.


Acquaintances would get a heart felt "Merry Christmas" and that's it.

[MMP]

Well, If I didnt have a pantry(I would have to be pretty far down not to have at least something in my pantry), I would get everyone, 4 kids, dh, mil, sil and bil, each 1 or 2 things at Dollar Tree. And spend the rest on food items, hopefully with enough leftover so we could eat for a few days. And if I am that bad off I have no qualms about going to food banks for help.

[kimmee]

geez, I can't even by stupid stocking stuffers for that little amount. I guess I would scrounge for woodscraps and rags to make toys - my kids really like homemade puppets (marrionette) and I'd probably make treats like candy. Plus my kids really enjoy making natural decorations and making food for family members - like jerkey, choc dipped spoons, salt water taffy, which require very limited amounts of money.

[captclearance]

I would look for some natural items like Kimme said..... It takes little more than a coat hanger and some dried flowers, pods, pinecones etc to make a great gift....
I would embellish everyday things....... Make personalized candy bar wrappers, make a new and funny label for recipients favorite things (cereal, soda, whatever)
How about the gift of time..... Sometimes a visit (and a small plate of cookies ...lol ) is the best gift !!!!!!

[kimmee]

oooh good answer, Lori!!

[guest2]

Considering that this was my Christmas budget for years (or much lower) this is what I did:

Made homemade cranberry orange and banana bread mini loaves, cookies, homemade mixes for tea, coffees, and pancakes. I then hit the thrift stores, dollar stores and yard sales for baskets, nice looking mugs and glasses and a few other items. I used these to make different themed baskets:
breakfast
tea
coffee

I also made movie baskets that included a video or video rental gift certificate, popcorn, candy and some pop in them (my kids, hubby and some other friends loved these).

When money is tight, I generally give "family gifts" and not individual gifts except for my kids and young nieces and nephews.

[paelthom]

First thing I'd do is turn to you guys for help with all your great ideas. I would cut my list to the bare bones - only dd, so and the grandparents. I'd make sure we had something nice for Christmas dinner and I'd buy dd some small gifts and wrap them individually for her to open. For everyone else, I'd write them a really nice, heartfelt letter and put it in a Christmas card. For the school teachers, etc., I'd make sure a letter of recommendation was sent to the principal/superintendent and copied to them as their gift.

[KKCondrey]

I would decide what type of goodies I wanted to make. If it was going to be a meal or just snack/finger foods. Then I would comparison shop for the items I wanted to make and after the food was bought, I would hit the Dollar Tree, Dollar General and other close out stores for gift ideas. I've done it before, and think I could pull it off again. Especially this year with a baby on the way, I could keep the money and tell everyone that they will get their present in Feb....lol

[guest2]

Originally posted by KKCondrey
Especially this year with a baby on the way, I could keep the money and tell everyone that they will get their present in Feb....lol

And they could not want for a nicer gift!!!!

[KKCondrey]

IT worked for my brother.....His b-day is Feb 15th so I told him he was getting an empty card and a neice or nephew a few day's late.