Raise your hand if you've managed to get a handle on the crazy Christmas spending

**PrairieRose** · 12-23-2005, 11:48 PM

I've been working very hard to trim my holiday gift giving spending. I have to admit that in times past I've gone overboard. I love giving gifts and always am thrilled to see the kids get somethings that they really want and have spent too much money on them. This year I cut my spending down by 1/2 and plan to do the same thing next year.

Are you proud of the amount you've spent or saved this year? Have you managed to pay cash and not let any bills pile up for January? Do you plan on making any changes for next Christmas with your gift giving budget?

guest7 · 12-24-2005, 08:45 AM

I'm so glad you posted this thread! I am proud of my ability to limit spending this year. I've NEVER been able to control myself before. But this year I tried to use only my debit card- which comes out of my checking account. Which by the way, was pretty bare. I did have to go to my CC- sorry to say. But the good news is this.
I had a budget and I kept to it. My husband and I agreed to one gift each- because we have everything we need or want. For my 19 year old twins- they got lots of practical things- like socks, toiletries, things they need at college and then one big gift. (a practical one- but they asked for it).
For my 16 year old- well- she's a little bit on the princess/entitlement side of life. (I'll be changing that attitude slowly over time- I don't want to shock her and have her rebel on me). She got a few things that were not as practical- like a Tiffany's GC and a digital camera. But, I had a budget and that's what she wanted. I bought/made 60 gifts for all my collegues I work with at the hospital, as well as my husband's family (I don't buy for my family). It was a mug with a cover on it, filled with a packet of cocoa, marshmallows, a candy cane- prettily wrapped in a celephane wrap and curling ribbon and made cards on my computer that had 'snowman soup" instructions. (I got the idea from a frugal gift site). Well that was a HUGH hit everywhere. The mugs where snowmen as well. The total cost for each gift, including the wrapping was $1.50! Such a cheap price to show your appreciation for those around you. And because they were snowmen, you can give to any friend and they can use it all winter.
Now lets talk about next year. I announced to my children that next year we are going to do "buy nothing- Christmas" See www.buynothing.com to boycott consumerism. You have to make your gift. That didn't go over very well. My college twins both thought Christmas was a time when you can get the things that you can't get at any other time- because you're so broke. Things like socks, a coat and boots. Now! How can I say NO to that! I did tell them that Christmas was a time of GIVING!! Hello!! I'm going to re-think the buy nothing-Christmas and perhaps it will be 'Buy less Christmas" I'll definetely cut out the family/colleague gifts, unless I can do something even cheaper! I'll be spending all year on the lookout. Hubby agrees with the buy nothing Christmas. But he was born frugal, I have to learn it.
DD 16yo is feeling a little cheated. She compares herself to what the twins got when they were 16 and she feels that she should get that same amount. GRRRR. Where did she get that attitude from! The $$ situation is much tougher for me now than several years ago. I have very large tuition bills. Anxiety abounds!
But let me just say, that I haven't been in a store in over a month! I finished and refused to buy anything else. First time in my life I did that!! Did you ever notice that when you see something- you just have to get it for so-n-so! Then you realize you have have to go and even it out! So, one gift means 3-5 more gifts. It happens to me all the time. But this year, I made a list and stuck to it and didn't go out again. I think it helped that from the hospital windows where I work, I can see the Mall. Cars crammed all around. Not my kind of scene.
I hope that others have been able to control the spending.

**pammy** · 12-24-2005, 09:06 AM

*raises hand*

I've spent around $300 total. Last year we spent almost 2 grand *gulp*. This year is was all in cash, which most of it was saved for in advance and some presents bought before hand, or homemade. Every one of my bills are current, if not early. The only thing I would change for next year is to have a gift closet in place.

**daddys3chicks** · 12-24-2005, 09:48 AM

We spent much less this year. Some of it was due to the bankruptcy, but most of it was because I told myself no. No, I don't have to get a gift for every single person I know. No, it IS the thought that counts. No, my kids do not need another Barbie thing with 10,000 pieces that breaks in a day. What we did buy, s were clothes and shoes mostly. I also shop all year long and get things on clearance and put them back. I made gifts for my sunday school class and got $1 store things for the girls teachers. I also made a gift for Katie's teacher. Next year I am going for making most of my gifts for others.

**daddys3chicks** · 12-24-2005, 09:51 AM

See www.buynothing.com to boycott consumerism - Cheryl when I click this it takes me to paypal to send $10 to them. Is there a regular site?

**dina** · 12-24-2005, 09:56 AM

 http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/

 

**hollyhill** · 12-24-2005, 11:58 AM

Raised hand!

I have managed to spend less tha $30 for everything.......but I have gifts for everyone!
The children made little angel broaches for everyone on our list and little drum ornaments for the teachers.......I made some lovely hydrangea wreathes, Christmas centerpieces, jams, pies, breads for everyone else.
For the children I bought used items but we have recieved so much from others (the BCIT hamper, church family, neighbours) that I may actually hold back almost all of my purchases and save them for Birthdays.
We have been blessed beyond measure.
I will never forget this Christmas!

guest7 · 12-24-2005, 12:02 PM

Lordy Lordy! Sorry about that miss direction. And thank you to Dina for the correct site.

**forestdale** · 12-24-2005, 02:23 PM

I've bought only two gifts. One for my son and one for my step son, total $100. Both were gifts from local producers. DH and I aren't exchanging gifts but we're buying a digital camera after Christmas at the sales and that's the only purchase we'll make during the holidays.

I cut down a lot on my gifts in the past few years and most of the people who I used to send to, and now either email or phone to say happy holidays, tell me they wish they could get off the mad cycle of Christmas gifts. I tell them it's relatively easy, but the first step is a really big one.

**PrairieRose** · 12-24-2005, 05:00 PM

Sounds like we're all thinking along the same lines. I'm going to start early again this year, with a clear cut budget in mind (this year I spent xxx per person). I am looking forward to seeing what I can get for what I have in mind. No more wish lists from anyone. They'll get what I get them, period.

**bamamomto4** · 12-24-2005, 08:19 PM

Even though I shop all year for gifts,I still spent to much

I did use my Discover card and the balance will be paid soon as it comes in.

I'll try to hit a few sales this week to prepare for next year!

**Mom23boys** · 12-24-2005, 08:56 PM

We did manage to stay under our limit. I was very happy with what we managed to get. I made some homemade gifts for Dakota's teachers and some of my co-workers. I plan to do the same thing next year too. My family opted for the buy 1 present per adult in your family and we did a fun exchange. Next year we are including the children as well. They took a vote with the children and all the children want to participate in the fun game we all do.

With DH's family, I didn't spen very much there either. I only bought his parents gifts. Opted out of exchanging with his brother and sister. We did buy for his 5 nieces and 1 nephew. DH said he is going to talk to his family and see if they would like to do the gift exchange like my family does. It sure would make things less stressful.

I didn't charge anything!! No bills in January to cover because I paid all my bills first! YAY!!!

**staceyy** · 12-24-2005, 10:33 PM

I spent about $150 this year. I used to spend about $1500. I paid cash for everything.

**Jasmine** · 12-25-2005, 10:55 PM

We spent about $200 total this year. Past years have been around $600-800 so we've cut down a lot. We still spent more on DD than we should have. It was her first year understanding Santa and we used that to justify buying. Everything was paid for in cash though. Next year I'd like to get it down to $100-150 total.

**mom2matty** · 12-26-2005, 12:26 AM

Well...........I am going to raise my hand because we did manage to pay all cash for Christmas this year but I still bought more than I should have!!!

Next year will be better, we have already talked about making it much more simple next year!!