Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

Just imagine, we're only a little over three months away from Christmas shopping season. :)

How is your family coping with the current economic crisis? Have you cut back on Christmas spending over the past few years?

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

Last year we had to cut back on Christmas spending.
I'm not sure what we'll do this year.

We live on a pension check from where I worked for 32 years plus my wife and I both collect Social Security. We live on what is about 2/3 of our 1997 income and it gets tighter and tighter as the income stays the same and the expenses/costs keep rising.

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

I am pretty sure this Christmas will be the same as the last.

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

How many people do you buy Christmas gifts for?

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

years ago we decided to de-commercialize Christmas, we make it about having a nice dinner together, exchanging small, inexpensive, but thoughtfull gifts, attending a Christmas play or musical, and just being together as a family.

there is no pressure, no hustle/bustle, just pure unadulterated enjoyment and peace.

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

We spend very little. We try to have a family dinner and the kids play games. I try to buy a nice ham once a year and it is at Cristmas time. Quite expensive for our income but my kids look forward to it. They love the American way of fixing ham. That is a real highlight for our family. Some years if we have the means we cook for those that have nothing and invited them to have dinner with us.

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

I like it! :)

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

Sounds great!

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

I like this idea too! :thumbsup

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

We started cutting back a few years ago as well. I think the principal of simplicity has been lost for quite some time now but is making a quick come back as a result of the economy...

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

of course not, it's his birthday! :heeheehee

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

I wonder how many decades (at least three plus) where we get the annual "Are people cutting back this Holiday season?!" stories?

Next thing you know "women and minorities are hardest hit!".

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

Yes, we are on a fixed income. With 6 children and 13 grandchildren it is going to be a lean year. :(

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

We talk about cutting back every year, but it never really seems to happen. This year it HAS to happen tho. OUr high school band is going to DisneyWorld the day after Christmas. That trip alone is costing us a small fortune. So we've already told Keith that he is getting the trip and a couple of outfits for Christmas and that is it. Justin will be 22 by then, so it is also time to cut way back for him. And Walt and I have no needs and very few wants. So this is the perfect year to truly cut back. Gonna do it this time! :thumbsup

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

Things are so bad, this year, we're all going to steal things from each other!

;)

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

If your really careful and use practiced coordination, you can give 50 bucks to one family member with the understanding that they will turn around and give that 50 to another, and another. With luck and some very subtle threats, you should end the day with your 50 bucks back!

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

That's a great idea! But... well, .... would it work with a five? :heeheehee

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

It will work with five, or five hundred, as long as every single person is equally "generous" and regifts properly.

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

Might work out kinda like the game "telephone". Whatever I start with, by the time it gets back to me, it'll be a Monopoly dollar. :lol

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

Several years ago we went immediate family only,i spend about 600, 3 children, grandkids and mom.Wont change.When i was married i would spend at least 1200 ,3 kids only, in the 80's, even the kids were embarrassed. Looking back it was ridiculous .

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

I was always surprised at how much "poor people" spent on Christmas.

As a Mennonite we gave small symbolic gifts, with focus on getting together with family and a celebratory meal.

I really don't know how much we spend on Christmas now. I think I came up with a number once for an AFF poll.

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

air compressor in my van went out. it ate my savings, in the end it will effect there christmas.

though christmas even though i like celebrating the birth of Christ, can be a financial burden to some degree.

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

that is an expensive ac?

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

I've been out of work almost 8 months.

Re: Will You Cut Back on 2011 XMas Spending?
 

About the same as usual - I put back money each week in a Christmas/Birthday fund, so I'm never caught by surprise. I refuse to go in debt over Christmas!