Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Wiil you spend more or spend less this year than last year?

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

I spent nothing last year, I'll spend nothing this year. lol

And we do celebrate..it's just stinky being so poor sometimes.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

I cut back drastically last year, so I will be doing the same amount again this year.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

heh. I like the typo there - " Wiil " as in Wii.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

We'll be spending a little more than half of last year's budget. (So less than last year.) We normally just spend what we have--we don't go into debt for Christmas.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Much less. My husband is in sales and business isn't good...lol

His boss is cutting back so he is just thankful for a job.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Wise!:thumbsup

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Me and my wife only get the kids a few things that away they don't expect to much at Christmas and we always pay cash so no debt also...

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

We cut back some last year, and will be cutting back even more this year!

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

We're cutting WAY back this year. For our boys, that's really fine. In fact, it's time that we do. They've gotten older and it's getting closer to the phase of life where they will be branching out on their own (not Keith, just Justin). When they start a family of their own, I really do not expect to keep up with the kinds of Christmas's they had when they were 4 & 8.

Besides that, I am having surgery on the 17th of December. So I won't be doing a whole lot on Christmas Day anyway. And until then, about one store a day is all I can manage. So we'll make do and be just fine :)

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Spending less... not so much because we have to, just a different focus this year. New baby coming in just a few weeks!

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Wow..already? I wish time flew like that when I was pregnant! lol

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We're cutting back this year...we're pastors now :D

Budgets just a little bit different...we had to tell our children that Santa Clause was a little broker this year...LOL!!!

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First year with baby so unfortunately I will probably be breaking new ground and spending more.:sad

Congrats Hoovie!!!

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

lol My niece was telling me she didn't know how to explain to her youngest that she might not get things from Santa like she has in the past. I told Erica that I would talk to her. I was a little surprised Cali still believed in Santa period... but ok.

I told her that the economy was hit hard this year, it had impacted many people. In fact, Santa's workshop was hard hit too. They weren't going to be receiving the Holiday funding from the government like he had in the past. Gifts were not going to be as big, and it had really hit the electronic department really hard.

She wanted to know why the ecomomy was so bad... so I explained and said that lots of money was spent, even bailing out people like GM. Jobs were effected, it was hard for people all the way around. She listened so seriously... then she said "That's ok Aunt Lisa, Santa really doesn't need any help because he is magic... didn't you know that? He can just "poof" and stuff appears" She went on to describe in detail how things are really made. Whew..I think it is time someone was really honest with her! :foottap

However, in my little corner of the world as a single mom, Christmas has never been in my budget. My mother who has been an alzheimer's patient for over ten years, but her POA has gifted $800 to me in the middle of December for the last several years for Christmas. I would then turn around and buy Christmas. So now, my mother's estate has run out of funds other than what is needed to care for her.

My girls are understanding of course... but poor Cali... Santa's magic workshop is going to be doing some fancy footwork to keep up with her wishes. lol

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

I try to break my record every year. No one on my gift list expects expensive gifts from me-- but they all know they'll end up with something nice simply because I'm a smart shopper with the money I have available to spend. I also am a firm believer in CASH only spending for holidays. No debt!!

Last year, I bought over $800 in retail value yet spent under $300 for everyone on my gift list. I will try to do even better this time around. :D

I am a clearance sale & deal hunter.... love the challenge of finding great gift at a great price.

A couple of items I've gotten this year--

2 different $30+ DVD season sets shipped to my door for under $6 each. (Yes, they were LEGAL and not pirated copies!!) :D

$80 Queen size quilt for my inlaws for $19 & shipped free.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

I am a bargain shopper too in every day life, but do you buy electronics for your kids?

It seems that every Christmas is is cameras, cell phones and the latest IPOD or game system or at least games for them are on the list. That is being stopped this year.

I am already buying gifts as I have seen them on sale for this year, but it sure isn't electronics.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

I purchased a digital camera once.

I rarely purchase electronics till the "NEW" is worn off and the price goes way down. My son still plays games on an original playstation, which I got for $12. :D

I bought him two new games for it for this Christmas... gave $1.88 per game plus $3.49 shipping on the two new games from a used seller on amazon.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

I see.. well, you are frugal!! My kids are still using a playstation 2, and I thought I was behind because I refused to buy the wii or playstation 3. LOL
I just might have to point out that they are priviledged to have the "2".

I think I will have to go looking for games online.. that is a deal.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

I've got all my shopping done. I bought my wife's gift today, even let her pick it out. I thought she would choose a red Jag but she went for silver. :thumbsup
















I didn't buy a Jag..:ursofunny

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

My son would love to have a Nintendo DS-- but it's just not happening.

The last thing in the world my son needs is another electronic time waster. I'd rather find him a few more things to encourage more time outdoors and being active rather than parked in front of a game system!

With the help of friends-- I saved up 1700 coke points and cashed them in for a pair of Binoculars. He's interested in viewing constellations-- and the reviews on the binoculars said these are great for that.... so we'll see what he thinks about them on Christmas. :D

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Now that sounds like fun. I bet he will like those and that surely is a bargain. My daughter Jac is into that stuff. I bought her a telescope last year... and then I bought her a pair of binoculars and she didn't even mind that they were camo. :D She doesn't use the telescope, I could probably pack it up and send it to you without her even knowing. It is in my front hall closet.

I think TV and games are a time waster too, but they are good to have when it is cold, snowy out. We don't have TV, so I don't deprive of the games.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

A friend of ours gave Michael a telescope that they had in some yard sale stuff last summer. It's pretty old, but it is what triggered the interest in viewing the constellations. I thought since the binoculars were a little more portable he might have more fun with these.

I also try to encourage any type of board game over a video game. I can always find deals on those through amazon.com's toy outlet sales around the holidays.

You'd mentioned a niece in a previous post... I'll PM you a link that whoever is doing shopping for her might want to keep an eye on for deals. Maybe it will help ease the pain of them having less to spend-- and help them stretch the budget. ;)

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

I am almost finished shopping. I am finding that the stores are putting things on sale much earlier this year.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

thanks for the link.

btw, I asked Jac about the telescope, she said the binoculars are better to her...she enjoys them a lot more. Hopefully your son will too. :)

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About the same, but I've added a son-in-law to the fam.

So, I guess we will do more with less. ;)

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

What Christmas budget?

Thank God for Christmas Cards, lifelong memories and folks with a strong sense of humor.

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D&D is a great time waster for teens and young adults!

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

probably the same - My son and daughter-in-law asked for a fax/printer/copier to use in their at-home business, so their "big" gift was given in October - which is fine for all of us. There will be a few "smaller" gifts under the tree - now the granddaughter is another story! Cash and carry!!! always my motto - if I use the credit card, it's paid off when the bill comes.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

It's been the same since 1994. $0

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

My family has never spent much for Christmas. We do exchange gifts, but we always find things used (but nice) and cheap and give those to each other. Makes yard sales and thrift stores twice the fun. :thumbsup
I've probably spent or will spend $10 total between parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Stamps for Christmas cards will cost me more than some of their gifts. :foottap Unless I hand deliver Christmas cards next week during Thanksgiving. I know its nice to get those in the mail, but I'll seal the envelopes and tell them to pretend or something! :jolly

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

It was less, but now that the first two weeks of Dec are going to be unpaid medical leave for my surgery it is now simply non-existent. Always hated xmass anyhow....

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Oh wowzers!!! I'd hate to be Erica this Christmas season! My 8 year old still "believes" and I am hesitant to say too much because my youngest is only 2. So, while we don't push for Santa Clause at Christmas, we can't ignore what's in every mall! LOL

We just explained that Santa had a budget this year...Mrs. Clause told him to stop spending so much! So, that's affecting the number and amounts of the gifts!!!

A lot of people here at my new church practice the three gift rule. Because they say that's all the gifts that Jesus got...was three gifts!

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Spending less this year.

After buying the future wife an engagement ring, paying for the honeymoon to Paris and now having a mortgage for our house....I don't have as much disposable income to blow on Christmas gifts. I hate it too. I love being the guy who gives all the kids lots of gifts and such. It makes me feel good to give lots to others.

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Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

My extended family has voted no gifts this year....so we will be spending less. I'm sort of sad about that, but glad in another way. We'll see how it goes!!

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

How about suggesting to do an ornament exchange instead - - we did that as a family for many years and now it's so neat to put them all on the tree.

Have them write their names and year on the ornament if possible. Then you are at least doing a little something and it builds up memories too.

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

Less... waaaay less....


mostly because my house cant take anymore toys!

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Leave those people alone!

NOT Spending money is a good thing!

Re: Your Christmas Budget - More or Less?
 

LOL....it is, but so is spending a little money for the economy.