Christmas Budget/Shopping?

[mamalle]

my problem last year was I bought everything by sept. kept a tally of what I spent and the closer it got to christmas the kids changed their minds on what they wanted so this year I have only bought a few items like clothing, bathing suits, etc from the disne ystore now and will wait and see. there were some great after thanksgiving sales last year that of course I had to partake in and looking forward to this year shopping also!

 

[EthansMom]

My immediate family which is me, DH and DS(now 20), started exchanging just stockings 3 years ago. I bought 6 stockings on clearance. We each fill a stocking for the 2 others -- DS fills one stocking for me and one for his father, DH fills one for DS and one for me, and I fill one for DH and one for DS. We have found this to be fun and challenging. Everything we buy has to fit into the stocking...having that limitation has really helped curb our spending and helped us be really creative -- we have to THINK about what we are buying more than we used to.

I love this idea for when my kids get older!

 

[bunny213]

What a great idea..........I'm wondering how I can introduce this idea to my family.....have to think about it. It sounds like fun....and I like that my DH could participate too...he's so bah humbug it's hard to get him involved..........but I think I could get him to do this.
Kellypooh.........I looked into that site...and it looks interesting. My question is - are you limited to how much you can write under the pictures? And how hard was it to incorporate the pictures...I have had absolutely NO experience in that area.....in fact, I'd have to use my hubby's computer to do it, because only his has that capacity. I'd probably have to scan some of my pictures, because they're not on a disc or digital card....could I do that? Thank you so much for showing me that site....and any help you can give me. I didn't download the software yet...I don't want to do that until I'm sure of what I'm doing.
Keep those ideas coming......right now I'm off to decorate 4th of July cupcakes!!!!!!!!! Barb in Texas

 

[kellypooh]

Kellypooh.........I looked into that site...and it looks interesting. My question is - are you limited to how much you can write under the pictures? And how hard was it to incorporate the pictures...I have had absolutely NO experience in that area.....in fact, I'd have to use my hubby's computer to do it, because only his has that capacity. I'd probably have to scan some of my pictures, because they're not on a disc or digital card....could I do that? Thank you so much for showing me that site....and any help you can give me. I didn't download the software yet...I don't want to do that until I'm sure of what I'm doing.
Keep those ideas coming......right now I'm off to decorate 4th of July cupcakes!!!!!!!!! Barb in Texas

Barb -- I'm not sure how limited you are with the writing under the pictures -- I didn't use that particular feature with the books I did. One of the books I made was done with a LOT of photos that I had to scan into the computer first. I didn't find the process of creating the books very difficult at all...I would suggest downloading the software and giving it a try. The download is free so after you've installed it on the computer you can experiment with it and learn as you go ...you don't need to be on line to create the book (just when you order it after you've created it!). If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me and I'll try to answer!

 

[briarberry]

I am a teacher and I can tell you that teachers really appreciate things like gift certificates. I'm Canadian and I love getting gift certificates to Tim Horton's which is a coffee/donut chain. I also enjoy the things I can share with my family. One of the nicest gifts I ever received was a basket of homemade buns because I never have time to bake much over Christmas and my daughter loved them too. Teachers always get too many candles and mugs!
Thanks for starting this thread, it reminded me that I need to try to sneak a few Disney gifts past my daughter when we are there this August. I bought her a couple of souvenirs last year and gave them to her for Christmas and it brought back lots of nice memories for us.

 

[ReneeQ]

Bumping this back up. It's too good to let it fade away!

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

Hey teachers! Keep posting what kind of gifts you like and don't like as much. I know every teacher has to have too many mugs and candles!

 

[funnygarcia]

As a preschool teacher the gifts I liked the best were :
movie tickets, gift certificate to a local restaurant, anti bacterial hand soap from Bath and Body Works (smelled yummy and helped fight the icky germs!), and a nice handmade frame with photo of children (not professional photo- done by mom) with a thank you note.
The pics of the children with cute frames and writing by the children themselves is very sweet to me. Thank you notes and well wishes written by the children hold a lot of meaning and will be cherished for years to come (I put mine in a special binder with all of my training certificates and pics showing the work I have done with families-- it's a pictorial representation of my resume!)
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FOURTH OF JULY transforms to CHRISTMAS:
Last year I shopped the after 4th of July sales at Target and found red and white star shaped wax bowls with floating candles inside. And metal star shape tins with white wax candles. These became dressed up with nice clear wrap in red and greens with a sprig of fake holly or golden bells ..very inexepensive gifts for co workers.

-----------------------
My extended family meets the weekend after Christmas- opportune time to hit the sales to find gifts and wrap at discount prices.
I feel kinda guilty when I give my family gifts that only cost me $5 .. but retail for $20. They in turn pay --gasp-- full price for gifts to me because they don't have the time (or don't want to bother) to look for deals. And they can't really afford the $$ but feel they "have to" because I gave gifts last yr. I love to shop and love to share with others.. it's a vicious cycle.

 

[grlpwrd]

FOURTH OF JULY transforms to CHRISTMAS:
Last year I shopped the after 4th of July sales at Target and found red and white star shaped wax bowls with floating candles inside. And metal star shape tins with white wax candles. These became dressed up with nice clear wrap in red and greens with a sprig of fake holly or golden bells ..very inexepensive gifts for co workers....

I do this, too, especially for things I collect at holiday sales. It's all about planning and creativity.

I also make themed gift baskets with things I buy at a discount, such as a coffee and tea basket, school supply basket, etc. Last year we gave our kids' teachers fruit and snack baskets and they were well-received. It's good to start stocking up on good condition, low cost baskets that you can clean and decorate.

 

[Danemom]

Give a photo ornament!!

Last year I took several families' Christmas card photo and turned them into ornaments. I used cafepress.com but Walgreens and other places do it too. I think I paid about $25 for three different ornaments w/shipping from cafepress. You just scan in the photo and they put it on a porcelain ornament. They turned out very nice and would be great gifts for grandparents also.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I buy ahead -- I shop all year.

I made a simple chart on the computer with everyone's name in our families plus a space for DD's "Teacher" (I did not put in a name on my chart since the teacher changes). Under each name I put the categories of CHRISTMAS and BIRTHDAY. Under the grandpaents I also put MOTHER'S DAY and FATHER'S DAY.

Everytime I buy something, I list it on there and put the amount spent. That way, any day of the year, I can see how much shopping I have done and how much I have left (and also how much I spent.) If we're going shopping, I can print out the list and carry it in my purse.

At the end of the year, I can see how much I spent total. I also keep those lists to make sure I never duplicate a gift. I print out a new list to use the following year.

It works for me. It might not work for everyone.

 

[lillygator]

I love this thread! Everyone has such wonderful ideas...

I am going to start my shopping now because I usually wait till the last minute and then am frazzled....

 

[Chicago526]

Well, no kids yet but this is going to be a battle between DFi and I when the time comes.

I dont' beleive it spoiling kids, he does. I beleive in spending about $100 per kid (once they're old enough to need to spend that kind of money on!) or so, and DFi will buy out Toys R Us.

It will be interesting to see who wins!

One thing I don't beleive in, is giving clothes as gifts to kids unless the child requests it. I was ALWAYS disapointed as a child to open a box and have it be clothes. And 9 times out of 10 I didn't even LIKE the outfit! I never received many toys (we only got toys at X-Mas or B-Day) so I always saw "clothes" as a wasted gift! Yes, "it's the thought that counts" but I didn't grasp that concept as an 8 year old!

 

[we3disneygo]

a cool thing i made dd11 last year was a beauty bucket, I got a new paint bucket from Lowe's decorated it with scrapbook paper and stickers..... filled it with all kinds of beauty stuff and decorated the handle. I think she liked it the best of all her gifts last year and asked for another one this year!

 

[StephMK]

I buy ahead -- I shop all year.

I made a simple chart on the computer with everyone's name in our families plus a space for DD's "Teacher" (I did not put in a name on my chart since the teacher changes). Under each name I put the categories of CHRISTMAS and BIRTHDAY. Under the grandpaents I also put MOTHER'S DAY and FATHER'S DAY.

Everytime I buy something, I list it on there and put the amount spent. That way, any day of the year, I can see how much shopping I have done and how much I have left (and also how much I spent.) If we're going shopping, I can print out the list and carry it in my purse.

At the end of the year, I can see how much I spent total. I also keep those lists to make sure I never duplicate a gift. I print out a new list to use the following year.

It works for me. It might not work for everyone.

That is a fantastic idea! I usually save my paper scrap that has everyone's gifts on it so I don't duplicate. However, I've never tracked it year to year plus adding expenses. Great idea, so I can keep my gift giving in check plus figure out an actual annual budget for gifts/Xmas & keep to it. This is a great thread!

I've bought some things lately since TRU is having a great online sale plus Target is clearancing some toys. It's easy to get stuff for my little ones then just buy one or two "special" things off their wish list closer to the holidays.

 

[lbgraves]

If it wasn't for my spreadsheet for gifts that are stashed away I would never remember them all. I also put the location of the item so I know where to find it...attic, closet, garage.

 

[musicmama]

I keep a list from year to year so that I don't duplicate. We have a set amount per child between me and my sisters and brother of $ 20 or $ 25. We strongly encourage each other to "cooperate" - go in on a bigger gift - if it is truly something the child wants. Adults are harder - we really want to give but all of us tend to buy what we want during the year, so it has wavered between gift cards and restaurant certificates. Growing up, our parents always said that we were "allowed" to ask Santa for 3 things, sometimes 2 if one was a really really big thing like a new guitar or stereo. My husband had never experienced that, so when I suggested doing the same with our daughter, he was hesitant. However, restricting the asking to 3 big things never meant that that was all that was beneath the tree -- after all, Santa could use his judgement about anything extra. Our DD is now 12, and she knows what the 3 big things means - which does help in budgeting. Total budget is around $ 1000. - which I generally cover with an "extra" paycheck - my company pays every 2 weeks, so there are 2 months during the year that I get 3 pays, and the later month is my Christmas budget.

 

[ILUVPOOH1]

It's funny to hear how everyone has a different opinion on Christmas buying! Kinda cool!
My DH was divorced 8 years before we met, during that time he of course bought lots for his kids (he had custody), but there was no one to buy him gifts. When I came along it really changed. I LOVE Christmas!! i love giving and rec'ing gifts. Brings out the kid in me. SO now, Dh gets lots of presents, not all expensive though (usually 1 big ticket item). He loves getting to open gifts again. I think he really missed it all those years. Now he finally has someone to spoil him, which he deserves!

SO I don't think I'll ever get out of the habit of exchanging presents. Our rule for extended family (and ourselves) is not to get people things they need. they can do that themselves, gifts should be things you WANT but may not buy for yourself. Last year I got DH SIRIUS satellite radio, he would have NEVER spent that kind of $$ on that for himself. Guess what, he loves it!
I just work hard, save $$, and try to catch things on sale. Seems to work each year!

 

[MayMom]

A few years ago I got the idea from Family Fun Magazine to print out a planner with my Christmas list, favorite Christmas recipes, Christmas card lists with addresses, and November and December monthly calendars. I put these pages that I printed from the internet into a 3 ring binder that I decorated with some of my favorite Christmas photos. I enclose my pages with clear page protectors, which makes it easier to change the next year. I also include a plastic "envelope" to put all my receipts in from my Holiday shopping. I pull this out every year and look at the things that we did the year before and it is so neat. It also allows me to remember who I bought for and how much I spent on each gift. I take this planner to work with me and write everything down in it. I don't throw the used pages away, I just put the new ones over the top of the old. Years from now I will have such a nice assortment of Christmas memories. Here is the link to the printable pages:

http://familyfun.go.com/decorating-ideas/organizing/feature/famf1102_feat_annplan/

If the link doesn't get you there just go to Family Fun Magazine and search for Ann's Amazing Holiday Planner

I had so much fun making this planner and love to look at it every year. I hope all of you like it!!!

 

[MayMom]

Bump!!