Proud of my Christmas frugality

[cab54]

I've been soooo much better this year about Christmas spending:

I kept the gifts to just those we really need and want to buy for. Without feeling guilty. DH and I are not buying each other anything.

I baked ONLY the one kind of cookie I HAD to bake, -----or be excommunicated from the family. (I used to make 9 cookies and candies). Hence---I bought a lot less baking ingredients, and on sale. ( DH is diabetic and my sons are trying to watch their weight---it all goes to waste or is given away.)

I used up every little scrap of wrapping paper and bags I already had, but still made the gifts look nice. I did not buy new paper or bows or labels, even when I ran out of scotch tape, I used stickers and a bit of packing tape, LOL! It was a kid's gift anyway.....

I have the Christmas parties on both sides of the family, and it's a lot of food. I scaled WAY back, and DS went with me to Sam's club, and to find sales+coupons for food at the regular stores, and we made a fairly good haul on about half what I usually spend.

I USED to go all out, years ago, and more recently in the past few years had cut down a lot. But this year, I was absolutely scrimpy. We are (as a family) on a mission to make the holidays more peaceful, and a time to reflect on the reason for the season. And less about materialism. At least until our boys give us grandchildren! LOL!

[Monner 1]

Bravo You are doing wonderful with your Christmas frugality. I must admit I am trying also. I have cut back on gifts and the baking also. I am trying to use up all of my old wrapping paper and bows also. I have bought some new but that is for next year so I will put that away. I really cut down on Christmas cards like down to 17. The postage is just to high and I only send to my brothers and family that are out of town. Maybe between the two of us we can help bring back what Christmas is all about. Good luck and enjoy your parties.

Monner

[phoeny_moonstar]

Way to go!!!

[cab54]

Thanks, Monner. I did have to send some Christmas cards also, I forgot that. Just to our immediate families, and some of dh's customers. He has his own business, and although he's retired, the business still goes (so far) and we have always tried to make sure we recognize and thank the people who keep the business going. BUT, I got my cards at a sale at Walgreens, and they were nice looking yet dirt cheap.

[ZenTherapy]

Bravo! Not really... brava is the right word

I bought almost all my stuff on the net... Only on eBay I could find the sneakers my bf had been looking for so long. I'm quite pleased with my findings and saved some euros.
I love to give presents to my loved ones.

[homesteadmamma]

What a great accomplishment and a whole lot easier on the pocketbook.

[Momto2Boyz]

Good for you! I set a budget for Christmas presents and found tons of great gifts online and on sale, so I am actually way under budget and have some great gifts.

I am making about 10 different types of cookies/candies, but that is the part of the holidays that I really enjoy! So the baking helps to relieve stress for me! Plus, none of my nieghbors bake, so they love getting a huge plate of cookies this time of year!

[frugalbabe]

We've been trying hard as well. What's really strange is last night I was going through all of my lists (yeah I'm a list nerd) and I realized I have bought and baked everything---I'm done! And not a lick went on credit. Feels great!

[FrugalMomof3]

Wow great job! I am so proud at how little I spent, seriously.... but I also machine embroidered some towels for my mom and a sweatshirt for my grandma, I regifted a few things to my step-daughters, got my son what he wanted ($20) and my DD what she wanted as well ($40). I spent more than I normally would (yep under $100) but I got for 12 people.

I put each gift in gift bags I got last year and took the frugal way out and stapled them shut, put a tag and a bow on them.

[SammeyG]

Great Job. I am the same way this year. Since that dbf and I are not going back home for christmas that will be some savings there. Usally have been tring to only buy for neices and nephews in years past. Mabey next year that I can try to buy as little as possiable. So this year we may exchange a few gifts amongest ourselves.

[MommyBliss]

Good for you!

That is awesome. Hubby, I, and the kiddos did the same this year and it's been SO NICE! I think we are going to enjoy the holidays so much more this year.

[angelbumpkin]

Good for you. We are only getting for the kids this year. They know what the true meaning of Christmas is. And not how many presents you get.

[Debbie-cat]

I applaud all of you! You are all doing great.

I also used up all wrapping paper and bows, didn't buy any boxes (you know the shirt box type) I got inventive and used boxes like from cereal instead. I didn't send out Christmas cards this year either. Sent on-line to those who have computers and didn't worry about the rest. I have noticed that alot of them (from aunts and uncles) have slowed down over the last few years due to high postage.

Everything is made from scratch as we are having a large amount of people for Christmas dinner and company over the holidays. It saved a ton because I made sure I bought everything I would need when it went on sale and I also won a turkey and ham from a local store which I stashed to use Christmas Day.

[PrairieRose]

Woo Hoo! You've done a great thing for yourself and your family.

I'm doing much the same for the 3rd year in a row. I've gotten all the gifts wrapped save 2 birthday gifts and putting together our gift cards for our grown kids. (not doing gift cards b/c I worry that some of the biz's my shut down unexpectedly so I'm giving cash instead....making my own card for each one) I scaled back on the decorating, on the cleaning, everything. We've cut back on the food and sweets as well.....man, this is sooooo wonderful, isn't it?

[cab54]

PrairieRose---it sure is! WHAT have I been thinking all these years??