Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Ferd, we sort through the kids' toys and clothes every year before Christmas and donate everything outgrown and neglected to Goodwill. Throw any broken toys or torn/stained clothes in the trash. It clears the clutter and makes room for new things. (And feels good!)

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

LOL I agree with Ferd. :D

The less spent, the better in most cases.

If anyone wants to spend money-- have them do something in HONOR of the family member for a family in need such as a grocery store gift card or something. That's where the real memories are made. I will NEVER forget when our family was having such a really tough time financially 13 years ago and I came home to my screened in porch being packed full of boxes of groceries and gifts for my girls from a baptist church I'd never even heard of... (They just left a tract in one of the boxes). It took me two years to figure out who it was I knew that attended there-- and it turned out that it was one of our creditors during that time that I'd set up interest only payments with for a couple of months till we were back on our feet financially.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Amen Ferd... amen.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

My daughter has suggested "creative gifts"....meaning that you can't spend money...only can make something or do a good deed...and you have to sign up for it. I thought that was a good idea. The ornament one is nice too. I just like the thought!!

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

I think we should be cutting back, but it's really hard for me to say "nothing!"

At least bake some bread or a cake and give to them - lol!!!!

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

I would say that baking bread or cakes is equal to "making something" :) In fact, I love it when people do that! I had an aunt who never had two nickels to rub together. But every year she would make several batches of hard rock candy - you know the kind with the flavorings? She'd mix them all together in a big old metal can (an old potato chip can). And then she'd bring ziplock bags and we would all fill one to take home at our family Christmas party. That was her gift to everyone every year. We all looked forward to it. This year she has passed away, so we won't get any rock candy. I am bummed about that.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

My step-mom makes the rock candy each year too and I love it!!!! She just makes it red and cinnamon w/ powdered sugar sprinkled on it!

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Cinnamon?

Did you say cinnamon?

I love cinnamon.

Does anyone have a recipe for this?

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Aunt Lydia made her cinnamon in red color too (w/ powdered sugar). Her butter brickle flavor was almost brown. Spearmint was green. Strawberry was always pink. Coconut flavor was clear. I can't even tell you all the flavors she would make.

She learned from my grandma. Grandma used to do the same thing - make a ton of this for our family Christmas party to give away. When Grandma died, Aunt Lydia picked up the mantle. Aunt Lydia's daughter was going to follow in her footsteps, but at this point, I'm sure she can't afford to (long, sad story)

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

If I had my way, each kid would have 2 toys that i cannot trip over nor step on.
hee hee...