How are you economizing this Christmas?

[OceanAnnie]

Just looking for some ideas and maybe new traditions. We have lots of people to buy for, I've even thought about not exchanging gifts with a number of people and maybe hosting a dinner or something instead. We have enough "stuff". We don't get to see people very often. That's the thing we miss.

Are you doing some things differently this year?

 

[figment301]

What my family has been doing the last few years is getting together on Christmas eve (use whatever date works for you of course lol). Each family brings a dish (which we plan ahead of time). Then we have each family bring a gift from "santa" for each of their children. So the kids have something to open. Or we draw names and purchase gifts $10 and under for the children (ex. you have two children, you pull two names. Someone else has 4 children they pull 4 names). Whatever works for you and your family. I also usually have a craft/activity for the kids to do. Something easy so they can work on it without much help.

Or you could have everyone bring desserts if you don't want to get into a full meal.

 

[Mommy Of 3]

That's a really good idea. I usually host Thanksgiving at my house and this year we'll be leaving for WDW the day after, so I have to find a way to try and simplify it if I'm having everyone!

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

What about doing family gifts? For instance, a container of some sort filled with a dvd(based on the family who will receive it) popcorn, candy, soft drinks, crackers etc. for a family movie night.

An inexpensive cookie jar filled with instant cookie dough, sprinkles, frosting for kids to do baking.

For a family with several children a basket of some sort filled with inexpensive toys (puzzles, coloring books, crayons, play doh) that all the children can play together with.
All these could be wrapped in clear plastic with ribbons and bows and presented as gift baskets.

This is much cheaper than buying individual gifts and yet shows that you put a lot of effort into it.

 

[justbishop]

I sew a bit and have done some trading with other crafty WAHMs for a couple of things. I am also crocheting a few things for gifts. Got a few other people crossed off of my list using the $15/ea referral credits I got from onekingslane.com, and am buying DD's big gift using the ~$70 amazon.com credit I've earned through the course of the year doing Swagbucks. Oh! And I got a ton of restaurant.com gift certificates (to the site, rather than particular restaurants) when they did the 90% off sale not too long ago. I'm actually almost done, and have probably spent less than $75

 

[TandLMommy28]

We always SAY we will only spend a set amount per kid and we always go way over it...so this year we are heavily considering giving them money on Christmas morning and then taking them to the store to spend it the next day or the day after or whatever... they will still get a stocking and something from Santa but otherwise, they will open enough presents from their grandparents on Christmas day to really notice! I think they will get a kick out of picking out toys themselves, too. And since they will have cash in their hands, there will be no going over budget.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Ive been crusing freebie sites for goodies to give. I found a bunch of bath and body type goodies (to make a basket for mom), some photo goodies (grandma) and some fun freebies (kids). I visit many freebie sites but hip2save.com is pretty good for freebies. I figure this way when I spend less this year the kids (and family) wont feel like they got less.

As for a fun tradition:
we buy cheap balls or ordements (micheals on 40% off day) and each person makes one. Then we all pick out one someone else made to take home. we put the creator and year on the back. The kids love seeing which relitive selects there ordment. As for decorating them we buy some cheap paint, puff balls, glue and whatever else is on sale at walmarts craft dept. We tend to buy some cheap tarp and tarp the floor first (depending on ages of kids).
Santa brings certificates in our house alot. A day with mom, a trip to get their nails done, day with auntie, trip to the park, pick dinner night, free pass on dog walking, free pass on dishes. That sorta thing. Its a VERY popular gift.

 

[buzz5985]

In my family will have a party that includes a Yankee swap. It's a small amount for the gift $20 per family or per person, depending how you want to go. Who ever brings a gift is in the swap. On arrival everyone receives a number 1, 2, 3 etc. The gifts are opened in that order. If when number 10 opens their gift and likes the gift number 1 received they swap gifts. It's all in good fun - and we sometimes see gifts from previous years make another appearance. LOL

We have also done grab parties. At Thanksgiving we pick a families name, same $20 limit. One year my Mother kept telling everyone just get her a GC to a restaurant. So when it was her turn to open her gift, there was this huge box from my Aunt. She is looking and starts giggling - I hope you stayed within your $20 limit. As she opens the boxes inside the big box, there is 5 pounds of potatoes, 2 pounds of carrots a turnip, a cabbage and a smoked shoulder. My Aunt looked at my Mother and told her to cook her own darn dinner. It was too funny.

Janis

 

[Kay1]

We only need to buy for a few. We buy a lot of books, mostly secondhand. Our library has a very nice gift shop with books that look like new. They write the prices in very faint pencil - they know what we're up to.

Also, you'd be surprised at what you can find at garage sales. I've found a lot of brand new items for my sons. We always bake for our neighbors and put the different treats on fairly nice Christmas plates. It's been pointed out that I'm the only one in the neighborhood who can make decent fudge, so that's all I'm making this year. That should save money and time.

 

[ArthurIhde]

hmmm i dont plan to do this,i i will buy as i want

 

[OceanAnnie]

We always SAY we will only spend a set amount per kid and we always go way over it...so this year we are heavily considering giving them money on Christmas morning and then taking them to the store to spend it the next day or the day after or whatever... they will still get a stocking and something from Santa but otherwise, they will open enough presents from their grandparents on Christmas day to really notice! I think they will get a kick out of picking out toys themselves, too. And since they will have cash in their hands, there will be no going over budget.

That's me too. But not only for the kids, but for everyone. I need to focus on good gifts and the bottom line. Hard to do, when everything is tempting and the spirit of giving is in full force.

 

[lovemygoofy]

That's me too. But not only for the kids, but for everyone. I need to focus on good gifts and the bottom line. Hard to do, when everything is tempting and the spirit of giving is in full force.

I do love gift giving but as I've gotten older I see less and less need to give to adults. I don't think it's a grinch thing I just tend to think gosh I'm giving Lisa this great gift that I know she can buy for herself.

A couple of years ago with all the siblings except the one in school, we all agreed to give $25 per sibling to Toys for Tots or purchase the toys to give to the organization. I have 3 siblings and my husband has two but one is still in college(he gets presents) so we donate about $150 worth of toys for children that really need it. Knowing that there are children that are benefiting really has helped lessen the pressures.

We do exchange minor gifts if in town with the family for the holidays, which is rare for us. We do buy for our moms because they are limited incomes.

I do buy for all the nieces and nephews and god children. I use alot of coupons from toys r us and 40% of an item at borders and discounts where I can.

I keep a constant list in my wallet and mark the person off when I find the gift for that person.

What helps for me is that I have to ship all gifts so I don't go crazy buying for the family.

I do also host several holiday parties/open houses. My house is fully decorated and big enough to hold alot of people. I love having people over to just visit and catch up over good food and no rush. I prefer this over gifts anytime.

Oh one last thing that is a tradition for my husband and I. The last couple years he has worked on Christmas and Christmas Eve so we have started exchanging presents on New Year's Eve. We have some nice champagne and light dinner or finger foods and exchange our presents which never total more than $100 each because we just don't need alot.

 

[monorailsilver]

I always go way over too. Last year I probably spent a good $400 on each kid if not more (I have 3).

This year I am hoping to stick to the $200 budget for each or around $600 total. My kids are 9, 7 & 4 so I can get away with giving my 4 yo a $10 toy that she will be thrilled with & spending more on one of the other 2.

Last year the older 2 got new DS's & my youngest got a DS. My oldest got an ipod touch (freebee via hotel rewards). So this year they don't need big ticket items.

They all want new Lego sets. My oldest wants an ipod docking station thingy (need to find on). I have an Amazon gift card from last Christmas (yes I still do) & I will cash in some Swag Points & I have another rewards site that I will cash in for Amazon $$$ & use that for the dock, wii remotes & maybe a new Wii game.

And all the rest of the stuff that I plan on getting them is on the cheaper side (like $20).

As for the rest of my family, I already made a list of what to get so I think I am good. I just need to buy what is on that list & stick to it.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I am starting earlier than normal. Talking to DH over the last few days, we have already decided on 2-3 set items to purchase for the kids, but we haven't set our Christmas budget yet. Hopefully I'll get that commitment in the next few days and I can go to work.

 

[Marionnette]

Over the years I have found that I get more satisfaction when I give a gift from the heart rather than from my wallet. I try to pay attention all year for hints of what they would like. Like the time my sister broke a favorite piece of china and I found a replacement for her. Or the year my brother and I cleaned out and replanted my parents garden for a joint fathers and mothers day gift b/c they were both having health problems and couldnt do it themselves. This year my daughter will get a can of french vanilla general foods international coffee in her stocking b/c she cant find it at her grocery store. It wont be the only thing in there but it says that Im listening to her when shes talking. Its that message that counts more than the coffee.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

http://www.shopfitandfresh.com/detail/TCL+141FF

This is what we are planning to give our extended family for Christmas this year along with a set of filters. We are also going to put one in DD's stocking for school. We are getting my parents a subcription to Netflix. For my DD we stick to the something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read policy. We generally will have a potluck for friends and family the weekend before Christmas or a Soups on party one week night before Christmas. I make a few differen't soups and some salads and pick up a few loafs of French bread at the grocery store, and we have cookies and a hot chocolate bar for dessert. It doesn't cost very much money and everyone enjoys not having to cook. We like to drive around and look at lights and watch Christmas movies at home, or have family Wii and board game nights. We have always tried to keep it low key so for us it's not really going to be much differnt from any other year.

 

[Ava]

We stopped exchanging gifts with extended family last year, and are continuing that this year. We didn't spend very much on those gifts, but it's still a savings. Plus, all the kids get so much from their own parents/grandparents & Santa that the gift exchange at Christmas dinner was kind of anti-climactic, lol.

I'm using a store credit to buy DD's big gift from us. So I guess technically I paid for it at some point, but it feels like I'm getting it for free.

 

[JandJ]

We have cut out extended family/friends/friends' kids. No one has extra money and no one really needs more "stuff." I've been told by my friends that they really appreciate that we're not sending gifts to them or their kids because then they don't feel obligated to send to us - it's been a win-win situation! It wasn't only the gift cost, but we live so far from family and friends I had to factor in shipping costs, too. My list is super short now and I save a ton. For extended family and friends, I think a nice card, with a handwritten message, goes a long way.

 

[reservations4five]

We travel. This is our second trip to Disney at Christmastime. We stay off site in a condo. I have in the vacation just about the same as what I would have in Christmas shopping. The kids will get a stocking from Santa on Christmas.

the best gift you can give your kids is the gift of time.

 

[ilovediznee]

My side of the family basically doesn't do much. My sister and I live very far away and they are really pinched for money, so we send each other a card and exchanges cookies. My parents send my husband and I a little money and give your DD a present or two. NOW, my husbands family does tons and tons of gifts. You have to exchange gift lifts on Thanksgiving day and list all the things you want separately and then as a family. It has kinds gotten out of hand with my nephew who has three children and makes gobs of money in comparison to the rest of us, but I spend only a certain amount on each person and strictly go by their list. We use my husband's American Express points a lot to buy gift cards and I have a rewards program thru Wachovia, which is now Wells Fargo. I just got a statement and it looks like I can get at least $50 in gift cards and that was just from last month so I'm waiting for my next statement and then will order some for Xmas.

We are going to Disney for Xmas (staying at our DVC villa at Kidani and going to Universal to see Harry Potter) until the 21st, so that is mostly our Christmas to each other and DD, who still believes in Santa, wants an American Girl doll to match her. I explained to her that the trip was Christmas and then she said "what about Santa", so I told her she could ask for ONE THING from Santa so it will be the doll.

I've picked up little things at Bath and Body Works and Avon to add to gifts and I work PT at World Market so I plan to do a few things from there with my discount and then get each person one thing.

I can't take all the gifts anymore - it gets so expensive and they will not budge on just doing kids gifts or family gifts. I have tried but it doesn't work. Besides, my MIL is almost DONE so they are all bought and wrapped -