Question......has anyone thought of Christmas yet? I was wondering. It seems like a far off item-but it is not if you are budget wise and thinking out things a bit in the area of spending and being thrifty. Do you pay cash for gifts? Do you make gifts? I am the type that could live with very little as far as Hoilday hoopla goes. Since my divorce it has been a more simpler time of year. My ex usually has the kids for most of it since that is what they have done for years....so I do not have to make big family dinners or do much as far as big entertaining. I had to purchase un-ending amounts of gifts for my ex's side of the family...and again thankfully that is now not an issue.
I may begin to start shopping now.....and getting a few things here and there.....
I also do not want to fall into the overspending trap.
So I was just wondering how everyone approaches Christmas as far as spending and shopping and gifting others.
Christmas
September 5th, 2006 at 04:11 pm
September 5th, 2006 at 04:32 pm 1157470353
This helps me keep from buying my Mom 10 things and forgetting to buy Uncle Bob anything. Before list - it seemed I was always finding things for one person and forgeting that I had already bought for them. This evens the score.
September 5th, 2006 at 05:13 pm 1157472830
YES! you have to have that list or I am not sure how you can stay on track. Thank you for the reminder to make that list! Last yr I cut way way down on gifts for teachers and other people as well. That can get nutty!
Have a good week.......
September 5th, 2006 at 05:19 pm 1157473172
Really, it is not that far off if you make any of your presents...and it is NEVER too early to find great deals IMO.
September 5th, 2006 at 06:15 pm 1157476514
September 5th, 2006 at 08:34 pm 1157484840
Of course, it doesn't help that my brothers and I are all born in November and we generally do something for birthday gifts.
Last year I asked my family to instead donate to an organization in my name or buy an angel tree gift instead of getting me something. I got the idea from a friend of mine who's family growing up didn't get gifts for each other but they all pooled their money and bought stuff for another family that needed it.
September 6th, 2006 at 03:37 am 1157510251
After spending the weekend decluttering and getting rid of pajamas and a porcelain doll that YD never used her grandmother gave her... I really am going to just give cash this year. My girls buy want they need and why clutter up their life with more stuff??
Plus YD is moving to North Carolina in early December so it doesn't make sense to buy for her since it is going to be a crazy month.
September 6th, 2006 at 03:44 pm 1157553841
September 6th, 2006 at 04:57 pm 1157558247
I have an excel worksheet I created. I have the budgeted amount next to each person's name and as I list next to it what I bought, it subtracts it from the total for me. So I always know how much I have left.
September 7th, 2006 at 01:40 am 1157589616
I dislike buying things for the kids for the sake of buying. Last Christmas I made a day of H'oderveres.....instead of a big family meal....it was alot of fun. We sat and watched movies, played with our gifts and ate....it was so relaxing....I loved it. I tend to buy lots of art and craft items...things to do over the school break-that is always a winner in my Christmas gift book. My older son likes cash......save it and spend some......it is nice for the older ones to have some freedom.
It is hard from the standpoint of who gets the kids.......I dislike that part. I make due and make the best of whatever happens. Yes....Holiday fun is not that far away!!!