so...can you pat yourself on your back...or should you kick yourself in your rear...?

**sabrelvssammy** · 12-25-2009, 04:24 PM

well how did everyone do this holiday season...? did you stay on budget...go under budget...go over budget....? are you pleased with your purchases and your actions or are you already asking yourself "why on earth did i do/buy that"?....

for myself i am quite pleased...all my gifts were bought during the year so that by the time aug rolled around between the purchases and my handy gift closet i didn't spend another single dime...(and that includes decorations too).... our 'trip' that dh and i gave each other and ds & his girl was purchased at 75% off the normal price and paid for in full by sept... weehee....

now its on to working on x-mas 2010....

**mauimagic** · 12-25-2009, 04:30 PM

SVS - I am very happy with how this holiday season has gone. Definitely stayed well within budge - bought and received great gifts. Everything was done early. No complaints from this end.

I am working on Christmas 2010 already - which is the norm for me. Have used up a lot of things on hand for this year and plan to use up more for next year too.

This is a great way to end a year and to gear up for the next. Of course, next year, I will not have the month of December off!!

**WV_mom_of2** · 12-25-2009, 04:41 PM

I think I did great this year. I stuck to my budget and paid for it all in cash, no credit cards this year!

Every gift I bought seemed to be a hit and we received great gifts this year, including a 32" tv from my parents! We have needed a new one for almost a year but held out until Christmas!

**madhen** · 12-25-2009, 04:43 PM

I always go a LITTLE over budget, but not "kick myself in the butt" over. Overall, I have no regrets, but a lot of good ideas to plan for Christmas 2010!!

**bridge** · 12-25-2009, 04:44 PM

Overall I am very happy with the Holiday. Next year I would like to do mostly homemade gifts I am already planning those

Mostly I am thankful for the time I get to spend with my parents (they had close calls with their health this year). It made me realize to cherish every moment.....

**MommyBliss** · 12-25-2009, 04:47 PM

I'm happy with Christmas this year. I did a lot less than I normally do, but I think people were happier with what they recieved or maybe it just seems like they are more appreciative. I really enjoyed not killing myself trying to be a show off this year. I'm hoping to do a very simple Christmas next year. It's about so much more than getting gifts.

**AmyBoz** · 12-25-2009, 06:02 PM

We did fairly well on Christmas, except I think we overspent on each other a bit.

The scary part of our January credit card bills will be the fact that we just had the bathroom redone and charged the tub, toilet, etc. Add that to the last minute Christmas stuff and yikes! I'm afraid!

So, I'll pat myself on the back for Christmas, but I'm still not looking forward to those January bills.

**scooby8themall** · 12-25-2009, 06:20 PM

I can pat my self on the back I stayed on budget and every one was happy with their gifts and we were happy with ours.

**Dixie** · 12-25-2009, 06:49 PM

I'm kicking myself in the rear

**Libby** · 12-25-2009, 07:02 PM

I think I did well this year - probably a lil over budget but not much since my budget was next to nothing due to being unemployed. I made treats and homemade soap as gifts.

I'll prob do the same next year - now to find me a coffee can to toss $ into and call it Christmas 2010 fund lol

**mombottoo** · 12-25-2009, 07:09 PM

I stayed way below what I normally spend, but then again I did the majority of my shopping in January & February during the clearance sales...75% off plus an additional 50%.

Usually I use a charge card for some purchases and pay it off in January...this year I didn't charge not one red cent!!! CC companies are on my naughty list and they aren't getting any more business from me! Although I have to keep a couple available for reservations...

**shoiji** · 12-25-2009, 07:38 PM

Stayed well in budget this year. Forgot about the items I kept putting in the x-mas box through out the year. So that was a nice surprise.

Best "gift" was a restaurant certificate that I gave to someone which was free. They thought I spent money on them and were thinking they needed to go out to get me something. Had to tell them not to worry since it was free!!!!

Tomorrow will look around cvs for any x-mas cards for next year.

**McD** · 12-25-2009, 09:52 PM

We went way overbudget on the kids and on each other. We are completely okay with this since hubby will be overseas next Christmas.

I am patting myself on the back while figuring out what adjustments to make for next year's Christmas Club contributions.

**Lady_V** · 12-25-2009, 09:58 PM

We did good this year

Since next year is Homemade ONLY, I think we will do even better.

Diva ended up with more than I remembered buying. I could have SWORN that I only got a few things

Most of them were clothes that she NEEDED since she shot up 2 inches and it looked as if she was ready and waiting for the tide, and of course, JAMMIES!!!

**rowdy35** · 12-25-2009, 10:03 PM

I didn't do bad, made homemade goodies and put them into baskets and gift bags with some store bought goodies. Tomorrow I will hit the sales for the after Christmas stuff for next year's baskets. I'm really excited and need to get back on the frugal bandwagon.