I'm mad...

[MRAHoffman]

I originally posted about how much you spend on Christmas/Birthday gifts and THEN read about how many people are living in campgrounds, I know that it is tight for everyone, but after reading how much (myself included) we spend on our kids for Christmas, I've decided that instead of buying my son one of his gifts, I am donating that $ to the local homeless shelter (or food pantry...BOTH are needed). My mother and I also buy 2 extra turkeys for Thanksgiving (they are 99 cents a pound at Aldi through Saturday) and give them to the local soup kitchen. I know a lot of people donate to the programs that give the needy presents for the kids, but what good does a toy do if you have no roof over your head or food in your stomach, not to mention, but does my son need one more Wii game? THERE, I'll get off my soapbox now

[Molemommy]

I agree with you... I just read your previous post and I admit I was a little schocked at what some spend on each for gifts... ouch... Kids in general have to many items that they do not use (toys and such) I buy 90% of there stuff used as mostly the items they want are hipe items newest craze and that tends to fade quickly and I will just wait and get one used...I only spend between $25-50.00 a child for gifts... I make items for inlaws a friends. everyone is always happy... my boys are 15 and 9 yo.

[shoiji]

I have been knitting scarfs to give to a food pantry. I have found lots of yarn at the thrift store. (all non smelly) During the holidays I try to donate $ to a charity. Right now I think I will be giving to Holt International and KIVA. KIVA gives small loans to people around the world so they can start their own business.

I live on disability and find it empowering that I can still do something to help someone else.

I would like to note that many non-profits are experiencing much more volunteerism. I think many people are aware how difficult it is right now and want to help out. It is maddening to think that people are living in tents, unable to feed themselves, losing their house, etc.

Kudos to you and your mom for helping out where you can.

[Russ]

Great post! And a GREAT idea.

I do however would like to say, the holidays are one of the most giving times of the year. Maybe throw a turkey in the freezer for giving in the January - March time frame when things are tighter and COLDER.

[shoiji]

Also, that is one thing great about frugal village. We inspire each other along!!!

[Natalie's Nesters]

I was also shocked at some of the Christmas budgets! We try to celebrate the reason of the season. My 14 yo has a Dec. birthday, and his the youngest of 3 boys, that's a tough one! I donate to our local food bank as much as possible. When deer season starts, we will donate meat to families in the areas. Many places will not accept my farm fresh eggs because they are not USDA inspected. Go figure?

[NikoSan999]

Hubby has been very sick last couple months. Business is very slow however still very physical. There was a man living in a tent across the street from the business in the woods. He came in one day and asked for a job. Hubby hired him as he needed help. To much for one person especially sick. Theres a building in the back with electric and water. He let him live there with some taken out of pay to cover a little of the utility bills. Now he has fridge, washer, dryer etc.

This is happening all over. One older lady died last year (?) during the winter by the railroad tracks. She had been evicted. Froze. Code enforcement forced her out of her home.

Another old couple lives behind Fed Ex in the woods, no tent, no nothing unless they got it recently. They hide and come out to raid garbage cans for left over, half eaten food and cans to get money. They have been there over a year. Fed Ex people leave their cans for easy access but how about some real food or a couple coats or blankets.

There are some tent cities set up that aren't even in a campground. They don't talk about them anymore...I guess that's because the recession/depression is almost over according to the news and White House...
NOT !!!

[Nana2two]

This year, well it will be almost nothing. I did buy 2 turkeys walmrt had then for .49 cents a pound, YES i had to go to walmart. I bought 2 of them and some stuffing,veggies taters and i will make the pies for the2 families in need.

[WV_mom_of2]

My family donates all year long. We do two of the names from the Angel tree at Christmas, we donate to food drives any time of year that we see one, we donate to the church food bank, food for our local animal shelter, etc. Our little community is very community minded and there are alot of wonderful fund raisers that go on here year round. We donate what we can, when we can all year round. Our community raises money for people with cancer, we have community household showers for people whose homes have burned down, etc.

[Emarie]

We donate a lot more money to charities than we spend on Christmas gifts. We are fortunate enough to be able to do this because of a Vanguard Charitable Endowment account that my husband opened before we met. When he was 20, he made a lot of money from stocks during the tech stock boom. Being 20, he blew most of the money which he obviously regrets. The only smart thing he did was to put some of the money in that account. It can only be used for non-profit charities. The account has done very well over the years, when the 401k was losing money, the Vanguard account was still making money.
Typically, we donate locally to county food banks, homeless shelters, and an arts program. It's awesome because we know that even if we have a personal rough spot, it won't affect our ability to give to charities.

[Nishu]

Well, I guess I'm going to be the butthead in this thread but.... There will always be, and always has been, poverty. Being shocked into giving by the fact that poverty becomes to obvious to ignore is nothing to get on your high horse about. You think people weren't hungry before this recession?

We will and always do donate toys and food during the holiday season, but I don't want to be a lightning rod for anyone's righteous indignation just because I buy my kids Christmas presents.

I appreciate the feeling that these people need to be helped, but do we really want to go nitpicking at every little unnecessary expense? If you point fingers at one person's Christmas shopping, can we also point fingers at another person's brand name clothing, or liquid creamer, or late model vehicle?

Now I'll get off my soapbox. It's nice of you all to think of those less fortunate.

[imagine]

I know a lot of people donate to the programs that give the needy presents for the kids, but what good does a toy do if you have no roof over your head or food in your stomach?

Because a toy to the child gives a since of being normal. Some fun in their life. A since that someone ( maybe Santa) thought about them.

Sure the food for their belly is something that should be donated I feel the gift of a toy can go a long way to the heart

Once I had seen a hungry child over joyed with a toy at Christmas and how happy it made them how much they treasured that gift I will never say that a toy for a child at Christmas is not good thing.

[imagine]

I am blessed enough to be able to go shopping for food and Christmas toys for my children so every time I pass a Salvation Army kettle that is generally in front of stores, I think how fortunate I am ,how bless I am, I say a silent pray of Thanks and pray of those less fortunate and then I happily place change in the Kettle.

Our Salvation Army food pantry put out a call for Food. In its call it said "you might think that a container of Salad dressing would be appropriate, The people with whom the Salvation Army works do not have the luxury of eating salads. They have requested foods like canned fruit, soups, jello, dried beans,rice, dried noddles, spaghetti sauces, cereal/oatmeal, instant potatoes, peanutbutter, jelly, canned veggies, and instant dried milk. They are also asking for toilet paper,soap, deodorant, and diapers.

[jamie79]

Dh and I donate monthly to a food program. What I spend on my kids is my business. I think if you truly want to help donate all yr around.

[Holly]

I also donate to the food banks .
I feel this way I buy and that stimulates the economy.
If we all just quit buying or keeping cable internet or
buy a car helps keep someone in a job so they can afford a home and food .
I know I'll get blasted but its a double edge sword
If you stop buying people get laid off then have to get help
or go on unemployment that doesn't cover the bills.
I know there are many out there that just plain expect new cars and all the gadgets but many are trying to make ends meet ( Could be the cable man or the guy who works for the internet company ) they 2 could be one mortage payment from
no home.
JMHO