Holiday Spending

[Sister Fracas 5]

We've decided to do a small Christmas this year since we (and my parents, and the closest thing I have to a brother) are going to England for Christmas. We'll get small things for each other and then for my in-laws, they've decided that if someone wants to get them something, they'd rather we give the money to charity. I have a few friends to get gifts for and a gift exchange with the girls from my book club, but all-in-all, I hope to spend no more than $300 (CASH), and save the rest for spending money for the trip.

Edited November 15, 2007 by Frances

[Jenn! 918]

I'm sorry but this whole buying everyone-and-their-dog-a-present thing is pure #######.

Let Xmas be for kids.

I agree. I buy gifts for my brothers and sister (they're all still little), and my young nieces/nephews/cousins. In my immediate family, it seems that we tend to only buy gifts for anyone younger than us.

[Welshcookie 17]

We've decided to do a small Christmas this year since we (and my parents, and the closest thing I have to a brother) are going to England for Christmas. We'll get small things for each other and then for my in-laws, they've decided that if someone wants to get them something, they'd rather we give the money to charity. I have a few friends to get gifts for and a gift exchange with the girls from my book club, but all-in-all, I hope to spend no more than $300 (CASH), and save the rest for spending money for the trip.

ooooooo.....enjoy your christmas Fraces....it's getting bloody cold here already

[Marilyn. 340]

I like to buy gifts for people.... but I don't buy expensive things.. I usually try and buy at least one thing for everybody ( limit about 10 to 15 dollars a person)

and i usually limit gift buying to my family (brothers, sister, mom & dad) and hubby's family (brothers, sister and nieces and nephews)....

[Cassie 8]

Never

Ballpark

Let's just say I checked off most of the list

I would say that 75% of the gifts for everyone but my husband are handmade -- and trust me, I am really good at finding craft supplies on sale!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Never

Ballpark

Let's just say I checked off most of the list

I would say that 75% of the gifts for everyone but my husband are handmade -- and trust me, I am really good at finding craft supplies on sale!

Handmade gifts are priceless! For me, it's a time issue. Somebody mentioned making old fashioned toys out of wood for kids as an alternative to all the imported toys that have lead.

[StoryAngel 4]

I'd never go into debt for holidays or gifts. Money is tight this year, so I'm being as creative as I can and making gifts or buying unusual things (it helps when you live abroad). My SO has a large family and they do Secret Santa each year - it's arranged at Thanksgiving who's name you get, then there's a $20/person limit. I have a really small family so there aren't very many people to buy for anyway.

[♥JP♥ 5]

I just found out that the outlets in my area will be open at midnight after Thanksgiving... wOOt! There goes my budget!

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Left to my own devices I wouldn't buy any or expect any. Unfortunately, I was born to a woman who thinks money = love. She will dig way into debt to buy for Christmas. I hate it, because it creates the expectation that I should buy to match. Sigh.

[jundp 191]

Never.

I have a set amount.

I make a lot of gifts for close family and friends (hats, scarves, other craft items). My friends and I have craft parties throughout the year where we make many of our gifts. I run a charity program and I give a certain amount but usually in the form of non-perishable food for the food drives or toys. We usually adopt a family from our church. We don't have much, but we have much more than many. However, this is sort of budgeted year round (minus the adopt a family) so it doesn't put me over my budget.

This year I also changed the "gifts" for the kids because we opted for 2 family outings at the theater as opposed to gifts.

P and I got our NOA2, so that is our Christmas gift!!

[~Chad~ 0]

even if i do use a credit card, it's not that big of a deal because i use my tax return to pay my credit cards off

[Amby 490]

Normally my mom's family which is huge (there's 26 of us now!) plays the greedy santa game. This year is the first time we've decided to draw names and each person gets one name and buys that person a present. The limit is $10-15. Since there is a few babies this year we decided we'd each buy the little ones a present but not more than $10. I think it's so fun to watch kids get so excited and open their presents. My family is crazy at Christmas there is just paper flying all over the place, people throwing presents to each other and yelling thank you across the room. We have tons of fun! It's hard to buy for some people though like my grandparents because what do you get a person that wants for nothing.