Homebaked goods will be our new presents from now on

**Sheila Q** · 12-11-2006, 11:08 PM

Hi,

I have always did alot of baking each year for many years of our marriage. Always sent tons of cookies to dh's work, gave to some in the family like my parents and dh's parents.

The year my dad died I didn't celebrate X-mas I was too depressed nor did I put up a tree. I couldn't do it I was daddy's little girl and the loss of him was and still is overwhelming for me..............

Anyways I have sprung back somewhat. I want to celebrate X-mas and be more holiday friendly however finances are a big concern. There is more on that for another post. So I thought if we individually gave families a cookie tray that would be nice. I am not gonna give them a tiny one a nice big one filled with cookies. To buy baking goods would still be cheaper for us even if the supplies cost just say $200. We have all our family here plus my sister's hubby was Greek and her and my niece and nephew moved there with him. My niece now has two children. Last year alone to send presents there was around $125 and we went the post office route which was the best deal. I will send her money for the kids and give to my great niece Maniah that is here but that will be it for the kids.

I think a nice home baked cookie assortment would be great however I DON'T know how those receiving will like it. They might prefer our material/money gifts more.

I do hope and pray this will be our last x-mas without a child so it will be all about our daughter next year but I want to get back into my tradition that I was in and hope to pass that down to my daughter. My sil and I are best friends but I kind of backed away from everyone when my dad died but we talk several times a day now and we are as tight as ever. We used to bake together and I think we will be doing that again.

Has anyone given home-made gifts?

As I sit here and do a rough estimate to give everyone in the immediate family just say $5-10 in a card it would be over $700. Plus giving to our cousins etc and now we are talking big big money. I cannot afford to do it any longer.......................

So bad idea or good??????

**McD** · 12-11-2006, 11:15 PM

I am giving homemade gifts. If we spent 20$, we'd be way over 1500$. We cut way back on who we give presents too. Since my side of the family is so large, we all decided that if we have kids that only the kids will be given presents now.

I made two sets of cross-stitch pillow cases and a cross-stich apron to give as well as a fleece blanket.

I am giving photo magents of my son. Also I shop clearance sales throughout the year to find things to give as presents.

**Cookie** · 12-12-2006, 12:50 AM

I believe these will be GREAT gifts. I know I would rather get a homemade or yardsale gift than for someone to spend the money at a store. Your family is large so they too know how much Christmas would be. Start a tradition.

Maybe other family members have been wanted to do the same thing but was not sure how everyone would feel about it.

**gibbielulu** · 12-12-2006, 01:31 AM

Welcome to my world! We only give homemade gifts. I would love to be able to go out and buy something for everyone, but our finances have never allowed us to do so. Every year I do lots of baking and everyone gets goodies. I give them to EVERYONE. Then I usually do a few other projects for the family. This year I am making tile coasters, knit scarves, felt handwarmers and caramel apple butter. I love doing it, and for the most part, everyone looks forward to seeing what I have made everyone each year. I believe that people understand that homemade gifts are worth more because you really take time to make sure everyone will enjoy them.

The only gifts that we actually go out and buy are for the kids. Our families are well aware of this, and they understand.

**Michelle** · 12-12-2006, 08:09 AM

I would be thrilld with goodies for gifts. I'm all about consumable-noncluttery things LOL Plus they're yummy and show that the person giving them put a lot of love & time into making them.

In fact, that's what I'm doing for my fil & his wife this year. They raved over a few things I made over the summer, so that's what they're getting as a gift. We generally don't buy for them due to finances, so it works out nicely. I'll also make the same things for my step-sil & her dh, my bil, and my sil. They're not a baking bunch, so they'll really enjoy them.

As far as people not appreciating them, well I say phoey on them. :p Seriously though, I think that you should give what you can afford to/want to give and leave it at that. I wouldn't let their attitude toward homemade gifts deter you. Plus based on the number of people you'd have to buy for, there really isn't any other way, right?

Good luck...I'm sure they'll love whatever you give them!

**ironmaiden** · 12-12-2006, 10:29 AM

Hmmm... Would passing along the new set of expectations help?
When you think you are going to get a new $100 gadget and that doesn't happen ...
Maybe have Mom spread the word that you guys are trying to save with the adoption coming and all or just cutting back on expenses or simply going to try to start a new tradition this year. You pick.