Anyone having a light Christmas this year?

[lillygator]

as in light spending?

we are - there is truly not a thing DH or I need, or our girls for that matter.

 

[binny]

we are scaling way back this year.

It isnt just for moneys sake, it is for our own sake.

We, as a family, have become too focussed on the "gimmies" and not on the real meaning.

So, for us, the gift of time will be more important than the gift of gift.

We will be making a lot of gifts this year as well and encouraging the rest of our family to do the same. The kids will be getting some gifts of course but we really need to refocus this year.

 

[Golf4food]

We're scaling back but have never gone hog wild anyway. No kids yet, so that certainly helps. Plus this year we are building a new house so all of our money is going towards that - we'll spend a little on ourselves and immediate family, but not much.

Of course, that week in WDW in December is a quasi-Christmas present and that is never cheap, haha.

 

[lillygator]

Last year I made a gift for my mom and grandma that was a jar (decorated) that had 365 questions in it relating to life and a journal to write the answers in so that one day I could sit and read them with my girls and find out their thoughts as they grew up etc...they both loved them!

 

[Hollyster2]

We are! My husband and I are not giving each other gifts and we are scaling back in all areas.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Absolutely.

Regardless of my own circumstances I can't behave like other people aren't hurting.

 

[TriMom]

Yes, but not because of a lack of Christmas money. My Kindergartener is having some trouble with stuffitis. He wants and wants and wants - and does not appreciate what he gets. I find myself saying " we need to be happy for what we do have instead of sad for what we don't" So we are going to DO more instead of GET more. We will see the Nutcracker. We are doing amazing outdoor lights set to music. We will go to all the area Church's Christmas pageants. We will have friends over and make cookies and gingerbread houses. I am really focusing on friends, family and Christ this Christmas. We will adopt an angel as a family - I think that will also help with the stuff issue.

The only present that the boys will get from Mommy and Daddy is our upcoming Disney trip that they don't know about yet. And Santa will probably only bring 2 gifts each.

DH and I bought a DVC add on earlier this year. That was our Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Groundhogs day, etc. present to each other. And it was a great gift!!

 

[kelleigh1]

I've already told my family that as of right now, my neice and nephew are the only ones getting gifts this year. Hubby is getting laid off 12/31, so unless he finds something else, no gifts.

 

[Jennasis]

It may be an "imagination Christmas" this year. We already have an early December Disney trip paid for which serves as a Christmas gift and DH's b'day present (we're arriving on his b'day). I just bid on a b'day gift for him on Ebay which I will split with DMIL. That is all I can do for him this year.

As for me? I don't need gifts. I just want to wake up on Christmas morning, next to my husband. It's all I need.

 

[whjoyjr]

Contract is ending in the January timeframe and not sure if I will go with the winning company, or if my current company can carry me on overhead until I can get a new direct charge. So, I am job shopping at this time.

Kids are getting fewer, but substantial gifts, laptops ($450 each - on sale) and new cell phones (free for going back under contract). A couple of Wii games, and we are done. Wife and I are not exchanging gifts.

 

[HunnyPots]

It may be light on material goods but I plan to make up for it in other ways.
My daughter just got engaged and is getting married this summer so it will be her last Christmas at home as a "kid", so to speak. I really want to make this one extra special. I don't have a clue how yet, but I'm working on it!

 

[LisaZoe]

Yes - somewhat because of the money issue but really more because we don't "need" anything. I'll get DD some Santa presents but nothing for myself. I'll also buy for my great-nephews but that will also be reduced since they don't need much, either. A few years ago I realized I was buying so much because it was on the list and not because I thought my DD or g-nephews would really play with or enjoy the item. Now I try to focus on what they REALLY want and not just what they saw in a commercial.

 

[suzimar57]

sure are - no presents this year (or anymore years) for anyone - they were all told last christmas, so no surprises there - just got too expensive

going to disney just before christmas - that's DH and my "gift" to ourselves - and this trip will be the last for the foreseeable future - cutting back on all expenses....

instead, i'll go to mass christmas morning, come back to watch the disney parade on TV, then make a nice dinner - quiet, no stress, relaxing.

 

[okeydokey]

Yes we are scaling back. No raises in ages and prices going up and up. It will still be a great Christmas though!

 

[DisneyCP2002]

Scaling back this year as well. My trip in December is my big gift.

 

[clgwli]

Same as always for us. Though in reality I think it will be a little more than usual only because we added a few new family members this year that I need to buy for

 

[N&B'smom]

Yep! We're taking the kids to the Caribbean in a couple weeks. They knew that if we were going to spend the money on that trip that they wouldn't get as many things at Christmas. They were both okay with that. Besides, they don't need a thing!

I have a small list that I'm making for each of them. I won't be going crazy like I normally would.

Shelby

 

[Kim&Chris]

I'm scaling back as well.

Things are way too expensive these days, and we've made a conscious effort to greatly reduce the amount we put on our credit card. I'm tired of having a big charge card bill in January, so I'm putting a $ limit on what I spend on each person, and I'm sticking to it this year!!

 

[John Smith1]

Scaling waaaaaaaaaay back!

 

[minniecarousel]

We have young nieces and nephews, so will buy for them. Our kids are grown, & they know we won't be able to spend much (like in past years). Since my younger DS got married last month, I had the photographer take a pic of my Mom and her 8 children (all were there!). Each of my sibs will get a copy of that picture.

My DH is one of those out of work, so we will not spend much this year.