Christmas Shopping?

[lyncecelia]

So this year I feel like I have a lot of people to shop for. Since money is tight, I decided against getting everyone and their mother a gift. But there are a few people we have to shop for (ie Tim's kids, my sisters and parents, his parents, etc.)

After those guys plus a charity gift to Toys for Tots and an Angel Tree child (something I do every year to bless another child) I have to shop for 17 people.

On top of that, I am planning on giving my 3 youngest cousins (all under 18. No one over 18 outside of immediate family is getting a gift this year...sorry guys....) something. The oldest (13) a Barnes and Noble Gift Card, and the other two (5 and 2) $10.

My questions are this:

1. How do you afford to buy everyone on your list a gift? Especially those that you give more than one to (like your kids/Significant Other's kids)
2. How do you know when "enough is enough" especially when you want to spoil all your little family members?
3. How do you do this without paying it off for the next year (ie I don't want to use credit cards to Christmas shop!)

I already started some. I got all the kids on my list a book (a tradition I've done with my sister for ages, one present is ALWAYS a book) and my little sister I have a couple things already, but I'm at a lost for everyone else? Suggestions?

 

[Ragnrok23]

I know this won't help much for this year, but I use an ING account and take out $20 a paycheck (I get paid twice a month)

That gives me $480 a year, and I don't miss that money throughout the year

 

[stich1fan]

I am a big fan of Christmas gifts are for kids. With that said the family does a grab bag normally with a $300 limit. We decided to skip it this year and just get the kiddies gifts. I will still get my sisters,parents and brother in law gifts, but a $20 limit since we agreed no gifts.


DD has a $300 limit, which I can say I have already finished shopping for.

Work does a grab bag and since we still have not exchanged from last year, no chance of me joining in that this year. I do get little gifts, but normally buy a Christmas type gift and at the end of the Christmas season. So last year I bought candy cane ornament sets. They were $9.99 but got them at Target at 90% off so paid $1.00. I bought lots of them to give to coworkers as a little something and stored them with my decorations.

Hubby and I set limits. Our gifts are normally$50 each, however since we are out of the grab bag with family we are upping it to $300 and a gift from our DD to each of us has a $25 limit.

I hate Christmas shopping in crowds so I will be done shopping by the end of October in not earlier. I think this early shopping helps with the bills also because there are normally no high expenses in October.

 

[Promomx2]

I purchase all year long when I see something special on sale for a person. And I check sale posting sites almost daily for deals. Like today I found a diamond ring for dd from zales for 29.99 today. Also I get personalized gifts for a bargain at artscow.