..

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

DD already knows we are cutting back this year. We always go overboard, but I am keeping track this year. Luckily, she doesn't go for big ticket items. She does want multiple Webkinz though - and we have let her know those will be drastically cut back as well. Santa has always given much more affordable items - for this very reason. She is old enough that she probably doesn't really "believe", but I never wanted to have to explain why Santa would have to cut back.

It is my turn to do the family party - trying to figure out how to do it nice, without spending too much.

 

[momto2girls]

I never really set a budget for Christmas, but I don't expect to spend less this year. Fortunately, our financial situation is stable right now, so I think we'll spend about the same. That being said, I only shop for my husband, our two daughters, and one niece and one nephew. We don't exchange gifts with the rest of the family.

We will be donating a lot more this Christmas to try to help out families that are really struggling.

 

[amyhughes]

We're setting a spending cap for both boys, and if we come in under, so much the better! Both of ours are under 6, so not a huge problem.

For our close relatives we are doing pictures of the boys (school pictures in a dual frame) and a $20 gift card to their favorite restaurant, bought through the SCRIPS office at DS1's school.

I simply want a hug from DH, and to be able to sit around in my PJs all day long without having to churn out a HUGE meal for the extended family.

 

[shelly3girls]

I am trying to shop early instead of paying full price for some gifts at the last minute.

DD9 told me yesterday she didn't want anything but a new skating bag. She said she doesn't need more "stuff" and would just be happy with the bag. Now of course I know she is dying for a new cell phone but she thinks there is no way she is getting it. Little does she know BJs is having a special for $20 for the phone she wants. That is my kind of big Christmas present! She will be on cloud nine!

 

[abdullahkurdi]

Christmas will be about the same for me..

 

[Michelle67]

Ah boo hoo, Charade. I was totally counting on you!

My husband and I aren't going to buy anything for each other this year, because he is out of the country and doesn't want more "stuff" to have to ship back home eventually, and he just bought me a new laptop (since my PC bit the dust) and I told him that is all I want for my Christmas present.

For everyone else I am leaning toward more useful stuff instead of useLESS stuff. Of course I'll buy some toys for my small kids, but they will also get clothes, etc. I told my oldest (who doesn't live at home anymore) to think of practical things that she needs/wants.

 

[Buckalew11]

No big changes for us. We've been downsizing it for quite awhile. I think last year we went over a bit for DD. I bought, DH bought, LOL, and it all just added up.

We had to replace her 4yo phone about 2 months ago. She knows that was part Christmas.

DH and I probably will not be exchanging this year. We have a 10 day WDW trip planned for January and we'll both need new APs. I know he'll want Goofy Challenge stuff from marathon weekend so I think we'll probably just do that this year.

Our Christmas list is short and with DD HSing this year, there are no teacher gifts to buy. We'll probably do a dinner GC for her youth leader and his family at church. We do have a new baby in our family to buy for and that's always fun (not as fun this year as next though).

We'll be concentrating on some people who really need help and I have a friend who does the who "Santa" thing for some area children. We'll help him out with that also.
Other than that, we'll put on the Christmas music, make hot chocolate, watch Christmas movies, make cookies and maybe enjoy the holidays in a way that we never seem to have time for anymore.

Less money will not ruin Christmas!

 

[kirbsam]

no changes in fact with a my dd getting her drivers license, i will probably be buying her a car which means i will spend more than usual this year.

 

[Suzie Zoo]

I'm not doing anything differently. That's what my Christmas club account is for. I love Christmas and I can't wait to buy gifts. And I don't think that takes away from the "true meaning of Christmas" AT ALL.

 

[Kim in TN]

We are scaling back this year. Something we've tried to do for several years, but with everyone scared of the economy we got everyone else on board in agreement. At work we are a close knit group, 13 or so employees and with about 8 kids. Everyone has always bought for everyone, just today we were discussing this. This year, we adults are not exchanging gifts and we've got the kids drawing names YEAH!!! Thats 20 less gifts to find or purchase.

 

[minnie56]

Just back from Italy and actually did 50% of my Xmas shopping for DD21 there...lots off my mind and I know she will love what I bought.

 

[famofsix]

We picked a theme this year so that makes the focus FRENCH christmas. We have a lot of fun trying out new recipes and learning about other traditions.

We budget the same amount for each kid so I don't think that will change.

I do think I will be looking for gifts earlier this year to get a good deal.

I am not stressing over it.

DH and I are remodeling the kitchen so merry christmas forever on that one

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

I won't be having the big economy talk with dd 7 because she still believes in Santa.

I do have one big ticket item for dd (Wii) and the rest - well it is little stuff I have gotten throughout the year. But it is just dd and I so there really is no need for a change there.

We will still give presents to family and friends. This year we may make more than normal - mostly because we have a lot of people whom we ship presents to.

We also have a ton of christmas traditions - baking, deocrating, enjoying the neighborhood lights and stuff like that. None of that will be cut down.

 

[SplshMtn99]

We stopped Christmas presents years ago except for 3 neice & nephews. $50 each.

I hate seeing people spending money they don't have at Christmas time. I grew up with minimal gifts at Christmas and wasn't scarred by it at all. lol Never ever received lavish expensive gifts. Just 3 or 4 inexpensive things, often not even toys but more practical items.

It taught us that Christmas was about family and traditions and not about gifts & toys.

So for that reason, I guess we won't be doing anything differently this year becasue we already don't shop for people. Not even each other. We are usually the ones hosting dinner for both sides of the family. Some end up staying a few days. I'm guessing that won't change either, but I might be asking people to bring some food this time. It just depends on how much our heating bills get to be. I've been unable to locate any wood pellets for our stove, so might have to turn on the expensive electric heat & don't know how much that's going to cost each month. It used to be outrageous 12 yrs ago when we stopped using it.

 

[Alice28]

Well, we've never really been over the top for Christmas, so it doesn't really matter. I buy about $100-120 worth of gifts for my kids (often buying on sale to make my buck stretch further), DH and I sometimes exchange big gifts, sometimes small. And then we buy a nominal gift for parents and our nephews and niece.

So will this Christmas be much different than Christmases past (since we've had 3 kids)? Nope. I just have never really made Christmas a binge-fest of gifts.

 

[Planogirl]

We'll be cutting way back. I hope to convince family members to spend time instead of money as much as possible. I also don't want to exchange gifts with DH this year. I hope to get low cost stuff for DS and then make some much needed repairs to the house. The house will get most of the attention this year.

 

[KikiFan]

I'm sure I'm going to cut back some - I'm just not sure how much. It really depends how business goes in the next couple months. It's really picked up in the past week so I have high hopes!

I'm starting to shop earlier - which is unusual for me. I just can't risk waiting for the last minute and I'm trying to find more bargains.

 

[mushumadness]

we arnt buying for each other this year, we will have a new baby which is gift enough lol

plus we will be flying to wdw christmas eve

we do buy for our 6 nieces and nephews, plus brothers, sisters and there familys so it does add up

I have started buying and wrapping already so that i can keep on top of it

luckily both our mums want easy presents, one wants a deluxe manicure, the other a body massage

 

[RitaE]

Not really planning on cutting back, our stock portfolio has taken a hit but that is long term money, not shopping money.

I haven't bought anything yet. I keep seeing news stories about how the stores are going to have amazing sales, but everytime I go into a store the prices seem ridiculously high.

 

[DISUNC]

Each Family member is limited to just a half dozen items from Neiman Marcus Catalog this year!

...And CHARADE is DEFINATELY OFF Santa 'Good Boy" list!



Nothing will change for the Kids in the Family. In fact I'm almost DONE! We Adults stopped giving too each other, because they really have BAD TASTE! reeeeeeaaaaaaaaal BAD!

NOTE: The new Elmo LIVE doll is . Just sayin!