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.
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. 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!
Last edited by missourimary; 11-18-2009 at 09:17 AM.
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....
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!
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
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!
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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.
I am separated from my husband, so I am having to budget real tight this year. I am only buying for my son and husband (gift will be given by Cameron to his dad). Everyone else is just going to have to do without this year, including myself! LOL!
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!!
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Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
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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!!
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.
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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! 
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