Christmas Budget/Shopping?

[EthansMom]

I also try to have my Christmas shopping done BEFORE the month of December. I never completely succeed, but it does make the Christmas season more relaxing for me if I only have to pick up one or two more things than if I'm doing all of my shopping in packed malls with stressed-out shoppers.

I'm trying to change my own attitude from Christmas being a day when we exchange gifts to Christmas being a season of cheer that we share with our friends and family. I think I'm getting there -- I've been much more relaxed at the holidays the last couple of years.

 

[lillygator]

Maymom - I love that planning book idea!! Hopefully I can get one together!!

 

[kayeandjim00]

Thank you so much for the link for the holiday planning book! That's great!! I printed it out already and will hit Office Max for the necessities and the scrapbook store this weekend to get some stickers and things to decorate.

 

[sk!mom]

One idea that I'd like to try out is instead of giving gifts to extended family at christmas, I'd like to organize a collection for a donation to charity in our family's name instead. My husband thinks I might come off looking "cheap" to his relatives so I haven't brought it up yet.

DH and I both come from large families. I have 4 siblings. For years we all drew names and exchanged gifts. Just last Christmas we switched to this idea along the lines that you mentioned. Each family put in whatever they could afford. Adult nieces and nephews contributed what their college kid or young family budgets would allow and some of the children contributed money saved from allowance. We had $300 to spend on a needy family. Dh found the family through a local UW agency. Two days before Christmas we divided the list and the younger cousins into teams led by my siblings and I and we hit Old Navy and Wal Mart. This was followed by a gift wrapping party at my house. Then that night we rented a Trolley ($20 per family) and delivered the gifts to this family. We then went on a light tour in the trolley and finished up with hot cocoa and cookies at my mom's house. We all agreed that this will be our new tradition because it was so much fun. Adults and kids alike named this the favorite event of the 2004 Christmas season. It was certainly more meaningful then exchanging gifts that none of us really needs. BTW, the cousins under 18 still draw names and exchange gifts with one another.

DH and I have been married for 25 years and his family stopped exchanging gifts before I was part of the family. We do send his parents a gift but only cards to his siblings.

 

[eeyore kelly]

I buy all year long. I shop sales, ebay, etc.

This year I am spend more on my own kids, but a lot of it is for their Disney trip. It will go from under the Christmas tree to the suitcase. The neices and nephews on my side of the family (3), who we are close to, get about $100 in clothes which cost me about $35.00 per kid. DH's side of the family's neices and nephews (7) who we see about 3 times a year get a $20.00 gift which I spend about $5.00. I spend about $20.00 per parent (4). I spend about $10 per grandparent and my godfather (3). Dh and I spend about $100 on each other.

I have to get some bigger things for my kids (DVD player for their room), one nephew, and DH's Dad. Need to buy some frames for my Grandfather and Godfather's gifts. And finish buying for DH. Then I am done.

 

[Soccer Princess]

Inspired by this thread, I broke out the gift storage containers and took inventory. I am done with birthdays and Christmas presents the rest of the year, with the exception of DBF and a few gift cards. I knew I had been building quite a little stockpile, but I had no idea I had that much. Starting this past January, I began shopping the sales. From after-Christmas, Victoria's Secret, B&BW and Disney Direct sales I racked up. I actually might have a few "GIRL" presents left over by the end of the year. Now, to pay off the credit cards.... If I am in need of any more gifts, I love the Christmas Breakfast basket idea! I am also going to try to adopt an Angel this year, but it is hard to buy ahead for that because of sizes/ages. I have bought a few younger girly things on sale that I will save for that as well. Now, off to the Hallmark Ornament Premiere...

 

[keishashadow]

Since we're going to WDW this December and not returning until 1 week before Xmas, I'm going to have to start my shopping earlier this year - usually wait until Black Friday for the bulk of it. Find ourselves spending more each year, now up to at least $2,000 - it's gotten way out of hand, but everyone seems to keep expecting more. Each year I state I'm going to cut back, then run out and buy more when the pile of presents doesn't look high enough. The older my boys get, the more expensive the presents (electronics, video games, ipods, etc.).

I too, am planning a Disney Xmas for the extended family (hope they don't want to return anything since I've already started to purchase from Disney Direct ).

I'm still "negotiating" with my SIL (who buys the world's WORST, non-returnable gifts. She and her husband love to tell us how expensive & wonderful they are while we open them - at least we've learned to keep a poker face) as to who gets to host Thanksgiving dinner. I always get stuck with Xmas and don't relish the idea of coming home and hosting a large dinner so soon. Think I'll have to make the call & insist. They're still telling us we made a big mistake buying into DVC. Guess who won't be invited to join us anytime soon?

 

[mickeysaver]

Our Christmas lists include
Gabby has 2 sisters, a BIL, a niece and a nephew(both teens), her mom, her dad, and a step mom.
I have just my dad and step mom.
We have our friends Billy, Roger, Jeff, Tracy, Mamma Flo, and Carlos
We both have at least one coworker too

We started Christmas shopping at the after Christmas sales last year. We loaded up. I got over $1200 worth of merchandise for about $300 dollars. We have almost everyone taken care of already. We now just pick up a thing or two here and there as we find a good deal.

The bummer part is that Billy & Roger recently split and the gifts that we purchased for them will now have to be split and honestly, the stuff we bought was more suited to Billy than to Roger. Now we have to start over for Roger and he is a pain to buy for.

We love a good sale....and Target Clearance aisle rock! Maggie

 

[kayeandjim00]

I just wanted to say I ran into Office Max last night and bought all the supplies for the Holiday Planner. I stopped in at the Scrapbook Store and bought some really cute stickers to decorate and I love how it turned out. I used to buy every year the Gooseberry Patch Holiday organizer which I really loved but this is the exact same thing and I can use it every year for the price of one of those!! Thanks again for the link

 

[bettyann29]

My main tip is that I get what I can the day after Thanksgiving when things are on sale.. I have already started scouting things out and will be making a list soon of the things I know I want to get each person so that if I run across them now and on sale I can pick them up.. The day after Thanksgiving is a great day to buy toys and things like that.. unfortunately my kids are getting older and dont play with toys.. my youngest isnt a big toy player.. This year will be pretty easy because my oldest is asking for just money as she wants to start putting back for a car and I am matching whatever she puts back... I figured I will get her a few other things, but for the most part she will be money.. my son doesnt really ask for anything.. he likes his playstation 2 so I figure a few games for him and who knows what else.. my youngest is usually pretty easy but this year I am taking her to DW over Labor Day weekend for her Christmas present and combined birthday present!! I figure "Santa" will still bring her some things, but her trip to disney will be most of what she gets..

 

[bettyann29]

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.

What a great idea!! I usually hide the stuff and then wrap it when the tree is up so I can put the stuff under the tree.. One year I couldnt remember all my hiding places and when I moved the next year I finally found it all

 

[hellow]

Since my kids have been teens, we have drawn names (in our immediate family) and buy a $25 gift for our "person". Everything else comes in the stocking. Then, we buy a "family" gift--a trip, or some type of "experience" which tends to keep the clutter down in the house. For the adults in our extended family, we usually offer to take the siblings/inlaws out for dinner (and do it some other time of the year) so it is also more of an "experience" rather than "stuff". We are all in similar financial situations, so that works great for us.

I do like the idea of adopting a family as a group, but we don't all live in the same area, so it probably won't happen. I am REALLY enjoying this thread.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

For all you early bird shoppers out there - I hit the back to school sales for all the craft stuff for Christmas - markers, crayons, paper, pencils, scissors, etc. - Target has a bunch of stuff this week. Makes an awesome craft box for young kids (my ds4 & dd3 love to "draw") and also extras for teacher goodie bags - I have several teacher relatives and they tell me how they buy stuff for the classrooms because some kids don't have or incentives, etc.

 

[EthansMom]

I was out shopping this weekend by myself (DH was watching the kids) and decided to stroll through Toys R Us to start getting gift ideas for my kids. I didn't see one thing that wasn't just a different variation on something they already have. I am planning on getting them bean bags chairs to watch t.v. and read books in, but other than that I can only come up with a couple of small gift ideas. It's amazing how much two young kids can have compared to the number of toys I used to get by with!

Also, with DS's birthday coming up in a couple weeks, I was wrapping his gifts last week and went ahead and used leftover Christmas wrap and tags (I had left them in the giftwrap organizer from last Christmas) and wrapped up most of the Christmas presents that I had already purchased. I just left off the bows for now. My MIL had given me the giftwrap organizer last year and it was great -- I had my wrapping paper, tags, boxes, and tape all in one place. Last Christmas, I used up as much of my old wrapping paper as possible before buying a couple of new rolls, so I had two or three rolls to choose from plus several pre-decorated shirt-type boxes. What a breeze!

One idea that I liked from Flylady was to make a budget for your Holiday meals also. And to stock up on the non-perishable foods ahead of time. Basically, she said to sit down and make up your menu weeks ahead of time and then make your grocery list. Once you have your grocery list, you can use it to get the best price on your foodstuffs and to ensure that you won't be out on Christmas Eve trying to pick up a can of cranberry sauce. Since we'll be at WDW in early Dec., I plan to stock my pantry with non-perishables for Christmas dinner in late Nov.

We'll be back from WDW on Dec. 10th. I hope to leave with the Christmas presents bought and wrapped, Christmas dinner planned and the non-perishables purchased. Then, when we come home, I'll be able to enjoy decorating the tree, making cookies, and listening to Christmas carols with the kids instead of running around like a madwoman.

 

[mist_e_rose2002]

I have already started shopping. I work at a toy store and we had green tag sales on things that were 90% off. So, I purchased toys for my nephew. who is 2 and my youngest neice who is 9. for under $50.

this year, I'll have 4 teenagers to buy for, including my son,so I don't foresee spending only $300. Ah well, it was great while it lasted!

last year, I bought toys the kids liked when they were on sale and spent under $300 for my brother, sis-in-law, and 6 neices and nephews.

My mom on the other hand is a different story. She has EVERYTHING...and uses NOTHING. She does however like computer parts and accessories, but I usually end up taking her to lunch and giving her pictures of the kids.

She cant wear jewelry, hates flowers, has a kitchenful of small appliances (most of which she never uses), so if anyone has any ideas for a mom like that...please pass them on.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Mom is always a hard on eto buy for... I started buying her a gift cert for a spa that she frequents with enough $$$ on it to cover massage, manicure, pedicaure and tips. She always love this because its something she hates to blow the money on and enjoys a relaxing day not out of her pocket.

 

[mom23boys]

I spend way too much, usually around $2500. That includes 3 Kids ($500, $300, $200). My and my DH spend around $300 each on eachother.

My DM and Inlaws we usually spend around $75 each. My kids pick polyana (sp) with thier cousins and the limit is $50 (so $150 total) and my Sisters and I pick polyana and the limit is $50.

Then with Teachers and Dinner and of course little extras it adds up quick.

I save up all year in a Holiday Fund and get the money in October, but usually start in June looking for bargins.

 

[ReneeQ]

With all the Christmas shopping/budget talk going on, I thought I would bump this back up. I really enjoyed this thread. I'm about half done with Christmas shopping, and need to get going on the rest! Anymore ideas?

 

[mom2dea]

I just finished my DS this past weekend while at Walmart . They had TONS of toys on sale and I was able to get lots of things .

For example :
Ningia turtles 2 for 2.00 (last christmas I spent 5-7 dallors on 1 ) got 3 packages .....
Transformer was 3.00 (last christmas it was 7.00)
I got only one stocking stuffer a batman car 2.00
I also got a HUGE ningi turtle with a skateboard for 15.00 witch usually goes for 30.00
T-ball set for 3.00 as well

Then I got my daughter a play music set for 3.00 Wheel barrow for 2.00 and a play microwave for 3.00 . also got sidewalk chalk for 50 cents

THe baby got a webble thing for 10.00 regular 24.99 and she got a singing pooh doll for 5.00 have no clue what this usually cost .

Anyways great deals out there . NOW I am on hold cause I am out of money . I need to not buy anymore till after disney !

Sarah M

 

[lisajl]

This is a great thread.
My Dh and I are trying to cut back to be able to get debt free.
Our goal this year, nothing on CC for Christmas.

We have already bought a few things for the kids, but I need to find a decent digital camera for our 19 year old DD.
Anyone have any ideas?
I figure that would be the gift for her.

We will probably spend about $300 per kid.

Hey! Here's a heads up for people with kids.

My DD just called, she works at Meijers. They are going to be putting a 50% off clearance stuff. She said all the stuff is in the back of the store right now and she is not sure when it will be out.
You may want to check your local Meijer store for that!!
She is going to make a list for me. I know it will be different for each store, but if you want to know some of the stuff I can post it.

Wondering if she will know what will be on sale Black Friday? This might be good!!!

LIsa