Generally speaking, how are you feeling about Christmas this year?

[C.Ann]

I'm not feeling terribly excited about it this year - as in shopping and such.. Not sure why, but I just made up my mind that I don't want to spend the kind of money I have spent in the past - which has always been pretty frugal..

Maybe the "consumerism" aspect of it has finally caught up with me.. I only buy for 5 people, so it's not like I have a ton of people to get things for - yet it seems like even my "frugal" ways of the past are really a bit too "lavish" - if that makes sense.. LOL..

The cookie baking tradition with my DGD is a must, but there too I want to cut back on the number of varieties.. When you're baking almost 12 hours a day - for 3 days straight - I think it's time to "cut back"..

Talked it over with my DD and her DH and they too would like to shift the focus this year.. Make it more about the real reason for Christmas; enjoy some family time watching Christmas movies and specials; play some Christmas games; ride around at night and look at decorations; etc..

What - if anything - will you be doing different this year?

Also - if you have any additional "fun" ideas that don't include "shop, spend, wrap, repeat", please feel free to share them.. Low key, non-stressful stuff..

 

[Feralpeg]

I'm looking forward to Christmas. I will be moving DD home the middle of December. She will have only one semester of college left and she will complete it in the Orlando area. I've really missed having her at home. We plan on having a quiet Christmas together. I'm sure we will spend some time at the parks before she starts student teaching in January.

The house is decorated on the inside. I won't decorate outside until just before Thanksgiving. I plan on doing some baking starting next week. All presents are wrapped and under the tree.

 

[Sparx]

i am so excited! i had my tree up before halloween, and i have piles of presents under it. i'm almost completely done shopping for everyone. (i buy for dbf, mom, dad, and grandma)

i love planning presents, and buying them, and wrapping them. i just love christmas!

 

[ginna74]

my family did a 12 days until christmas thing that I like to do (don't know if i can this year). she put little presents on the tree for each day. it norm was a small trinket, not worth too much. But was fun for us. The kids liked this just about more then anything. I also bought a sock advant calander where you put small things into it. We are going to be pretty broke this year for sure. Hubby will be leaving soon and for most of dec. after for overseas and we are just we are going to try and make it as good as possible. I am going to try to bake too.

 

[AKL_Megs]

For whatever reason, I just really want to get it over with this year.

I only buy gifts for DH, my parents, DH's mom, and we do one $10 "generic" gift with DH's family that goes into a pile which everyone picks from, along with cookies and a small gift for DH's grandparents. I don't know what to get ANYONE but my mom this year. MIL, of course, has to be difficult. She "apparently" wants a Snuggie, but only the zebra one, which I can't find ANYWHERE.

I am sort of excited the most about decorating our house, and sending out Christmas cards with the picture DH and I took on our honeymoon at DTD, you know, that "Happy Holidays" set up they have.

Cookies I will make, of course, but I think I am only doing three REALLY easy cookies this year, and probably only a batch of each.

I am with you on the "frugal" being too much this year. We usually buy cheap but nice candles on Black Friday to gift to grandparents and anyone else who might get us a gift even though we AGREED we won't exchange but I don't think we will even do that this year. I will package up cookies really nice and gift those.

 

[Sparx]

For whatever reason, I just really want to get it over with this year.

I only buy gifts for DH, my parents, DH's mom, and we do one $10 "generic" gift with DH's family that goes into a pile which everyone picks from, along with cookies and a small gift for DH's grandparents. I don't know what to get ANYONE but my mom this year. MIL, of course, has to be difficult. She "apparently" wants a Snuggie, but only the zebra one, which I can't find ANYWHERE.

I am sort of excited the most about decorating our house, and sending out Christmas cards with the picture DH and I took on our honeymoon at DTD, you know, that "Happy Holidays" set up they have.

Cookies I will make, of course, but I think I am only doing three REALLY easy cookies this year, and probably only a batch of each.

I am with you on the "frugal" being too much this year. We usually buy cheap but nice candles on Black Friday to gift to grandparents and anyone else who might get us a gift even though we AGREED we won't exchange but I don't think we will even do that this year. I will package up cookies really nice and gift those.

http://snuggie4less.com/

 

[AKL_Megs]

http://snuggie4less.com/

Thanks! But $19.99 PLUS $8 S&H??? Holy Moly!!! I've seen them (although NOT the zebra ) at Kohls for $14.99 AND I have a 20% off coupon!!! (I should be on the Budget Board! )

 

[kimmar067]

I'm looking forward to Christmas. I will be moving DD home the middle of December. She will have only one semester of college left and she will complete it in the Orlando area. I've really missed having her at home. We plan on having a quiet Christmas together. I'm sure we will spend some time at the parks before she starts student teaching in January.

The house is decorated on the inside. I won't decorate outside until just before Thanksgiving. I plan on doing some baking starting next week. All presents are wrapped and under the tree.

...off-topic, but, Peg, how did it go with your book??

 

[kimmar067]

For whatever reason, I just really want to get it over with this year....

...I know what ya mean....* sigh *

 

[AKL_Megs]

...I know what ya mean....* sigh *

Isn't it terrible?

Maybe once the tree is up, or there is snow on the ground... but then again, I have no desire to put UP the tree, and I would be depressed if there was snow on the ground, so...

 

[kimmar067]

Isn't it terrible?

Maybe once the tree is up, or there is snow on the ground... but then again, I have no desire to put UP the tree, and I would be depressed if there was snow on the ground, so...

...no....I can soooooo relate.....

 

[mmackeymouse]

Stressed!

I mean, I LOVE Christmas. I love everything about the season.

But, we are leaving for our trip a week after Christmas, and I do not feel nearly as prepared as I should be.

So, anytime I think about Christmas, my mind immediately goes to, "Aaaaaaah, I am not ready for the trip!"

 

[Tracy Savage]

This year will be rough. We lost my Mom 6 months ago, Hubbys overtime has been cut, money is tight. We are both still working and I am so grateful for that! I'm trying to be upbeat. If we could only win the lottery, I'd take everyone to Mickeys house........

 

[Ephany]

Meh, I'm just not feeling it. Maybe it's because everything's gone topsy-turvey this year, but I just have no desire to decorate or really do anything. Honestly, if it wasn't for DD, I don't know if we'd even put up a tree. Usually Christmas thrills me, but this year, not so much.

MIL, of course, has to be difficult. She "apparently" wants a Snuggie, but only the zebra one, which I can't find ANYWHERE.

I swear I saw these somewhere random like Office Max or Toys R Us. Too bad you couldn't get her a disney one, TRU has princess, tinkerbelle and other disney snuggies.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I swear I saw these somewhere random like Office Max or Toys R Us. Too bad you couldn't get her a disney one, TRU has princess, tinkerbelle and other disney snuggies.

Thanks for that tip... I will be on the prowl.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Better than I have in a long time.

 

[Angelhalo]

I am SUPER excited! My mom and I just made our annual trip to the Southern Christmas Show and are planning on going again next weekend! I also put up nearly all of my indoor Christmas decorations this weekend! I just got out all of my wrapping paper, bows, tags etc and am ready to start wrapping the things I've already bought! Just turned in my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes at church this morning and I am ready to go. I'm burning the Christmas candles and trying to decide what cookies to make!

I actually have less money this Christmas than in years past but am more excited. Christmas isn't about money anyway

 

[babytrees]

I am going to be honest: usually I am so excited for the Christmas season (even when I had a job that stressed me beyond belief there) but this season.....I actually am dreading the season. I have been out of work for a year, my marriage is in the tank (has been for a long time it's just more trouble right now), my husband has made some very selfish unilateral decisions that will make for a very slim Christmas, forget frugal, this is the last Christmas my oldest will be home for sure (she's a senior in HS), and some other things. I have always wanted to give my girls all that they need and want and this year I am not even sure I can cover the needs.

Even the Christmas music I usually love is grating on my last nerve.

 

[4nana]

I often wonder if some haven't forgotten the spirit of C'mas and the actual meaning of the holiday. Perhaps the economy will help bring things around full circle.

I am semi excited about the holidays. DH is still having health issues and on going testing, plus we have a son who won't be home as he's delpoyed to Afghanistan . One side of me is concerned about DH and lonely for our son, but on the other side I must remain strong and maintain the proper spirit for our DIL, their 4 kids, and all our family. I am leaning on my faith, looking at the glass as half full, so will pull my boot straps up, as I can only hope and pray our Creator won't give me anything I can handle.

We try to plan for BD's/holidays all year through out, so won't necessarily be cutting back, however may be giving more practical gifts. Had enough of those poverty days in my childhood and our younger years of marriage to last a life time. We will be doing more donating for TG and C'mas this year, as my heart goes out to the many struggling.

We are blessed with a big loving family, but are not high strung and like to keep things low keyed by showing our love and appreciation in many simple ways ~ like you C.Ann, family is top priority here ~ baking w/grands, movie nite, drawing names, light peeping, making our annual C'mas activity, family get togethers, church, etc.
For us it's about showing love and appreciation every day, not only just the holiday.

*AKL_Megs, Tues & Thurs are our shopping days, I'll be more than happy to ck on Zebra sunggly for you and PM you with info if I find.

*Tracy Savage, I'm so sorry aobut your dear Mom and know the difficlulity you speak of getting through holidays, time does seem to help heal.

*babytrees, my heart and prayers go out to you and yours as you struggle one day at a time. Hope things look up.

 

[RitaZ.]

We are really looking forward to it!