How are you economizing this Christmas?

[MomToOne]

My biggest Christmas expense is travelling home. That expense will always be there - for various reasons, we can't not make the trip and it really is something I want to do - but I really tried to get it as low as possible this year. I picked up our plane tickets back in January, when I could get decently priced flights for the airports I wanted. (There are never any great fares for the days we fly, so the best I can do is "decent".) And at least I got my flights to/from the smaller airports in the cities where we live and where my family lives, and don't get stuck driving 2 hours on either end to get to larger airports all in the name of slightly cheaper tickets. I also got a pretty good car rental by stacking AAA discounts. It is a cancellable reservation, so I will try Priceline as we get closer to see if I can get an even cheaper rate.

Outside of the travel expenses, I made a complete budget for Christmas that included EVERYTHING - gifts, shipping, tree, traditional activities, plane tickets, car rental, airport parking, boarding the cat, etc. All I can say is WOW. It really widened my eyes to just how outrageously expensive Christmas has become. It should help keep me from falling into the "one more gift won't be THAT big a deal" trap those last few weeks before Christmas. It also helped me trim out extra activities that just added more stress than fun, gifts to people that really weren't needed, etc.

Finally, for many people (mostly family) I cut my gift budget in half. Things had just gotten out of hand in recent years, it's time to get it back under control. The amounts I have budgetted are still enough to buy nice gifts, just not as excessive as years past.

 

[AmongMadPeople]

Most of my economizing comes from good sales, which also means I start early. I do my Christmas budget in June, it includes everyone I need to buy gifts for, and the max amount I can spend for each person. So far most almost everything I've purchased has been on sale.

Unfortunately though, 1/3 of our Christmas budget is for exchanging gifts with both my husband's extended families. We don't purchase gifts for our siblings or their spouses, yet we spend 100 dollars on gifts that don't mean anything to me when I receive my portion of the exchange (I can't even remember what I was given for the two exchanges last year). The only way we can get out of it is to not attend that family's celebration. We've tried to change it in the past, and even though most people want to spend less money, no one is willing to give up exchanging gifts. It's not my fight, so I just lessen the blow with sales and coupons. Okay, vent over

Oh, I almost forgot! We also have a savings account specifically for Christmas. I set aside a certain amount each month so that anytime I purchase a Christmas gift or any other gift, it doesn't hurt our monthy budget

 

[MEM]

I stopped buying for my siblings and their kids years ago. DH is an only child and has no family living other than us. My Dad is gone. I always buy for my Mom - this year she will be getting a Panera Bread gift card since she and DSis eat there several times a week! DH and I do not exchange gifts - our DVC dues are our presents to each other. Also, this year we will be visiting Disneyland/DCA for the first time and that trip will be the gift to the family. My kids are 14 and 16 and need nothing. I'll probably convert my Discover dollars to gift cards for Aeropostale and the like.

Every year DH and I talk about making gifts of food for friends and this year might be the year we make Alton Brown's "White Trash". Gifts in a jar like soup mix or cookie mix just don't fly in our circle because most of our friends don't cook! I have over 100 Mason jars and really want to use them constructively.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I guess im a lucky adult, my mom (and aunt,whos like a mom to me) buy for me every year. My cousins (who I count as siblings since we all live together) buy for me still too, they usally spend around $20 of there moms money and then make me somthing. I admit, my moms lucky, all I want for christmas is a $20 dollar pair of noise cancling headphones and 12 used books by my author.

 

[bored]

We decided as a family that no one in our immediate families "need" anything. DD will get a gift from us and two from "Santa" and the other kids in the family will get small invexpensive gifts. The rest of the money we would have spent on gifts will go to Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes, and as many angel tree gifts as we can stretch out of it.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

We usually travel to WDW for Christmas but I'm taking this December off to replenish my savings after a 6mo period of unemployment. My 11 yo daughter is getting some things she needs (clothes, boots) and things she wants (iTunes cash, tripod for her Flip video camera). We're making hand-poured candles and soap as presents for teachers and family members and making a donation to Samaritan's Purse. We'll make cookies, scrapbook our past Christmas WDW trips. As for myself, I'm getting a Pandora bracelet with about 3 - 4 sterling silver charms.

The *real* present for us is hitting the after-Christmas sales.

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

I usually get so into the holiday spirit that I go overboard. But this Christmas I decided not to do it and to be as simple as possible and stick to the budget. So I started shopping all year round for Christmas and picking up any deals that I could find. I got a bunch of hostess sets from mikasa for $7.99 each during a deal of the day. At the same time I purchased them, they were $49.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond! Those will make great gifts for the adults. As for the kids, I constantly check the clearance sections at Target. Just yesterday I got my niece a DS game for $7.98! It was reguarly $29.99. Now the old me would say, well I got the game at this price so now I have to go and find a few more presents for her. However, the new me is giving her the DS game and a Juicy Couture charm for her bracelet as I always give her one. I got the charm at the outlet for $9.00! It was originally $39.99! Basically, I am letting the retail value of an item speak for itself, whereas I used to buy several expensive items at below retail price to make up for not spending the actual price. But now I realize that there is no need to do this. One or two bargains are plenty as long as they are quality items.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I am using rewards programs like swagbucks and mypoints to get gift cards to use toward Christmas gifts. The electronics that I am buying for my kids this year will all be refurbished and most of the books and video games I buy will either be used or only bought on sale. I am taking advantage of ebay to get laptop accessories for my oldest two that are getting refurb. laptops. Since I have started shopping early I can pay for the cheapest shipping options.

We don't travel for the holidays at all. We decided years ago that it was too stressful with our kids, we have plenty of room to host and don't mind providing the food so we welcome anyone that wants to come as long as they don't mind us in our pajamas

Last year after Christmas I got a great deal on pyrex 11x14 dishes so I bought enough for all of the kids' teachers along with clearance Christmas pot holders and dish towels so they are already done.

I cut back my budget for MIL and her husband. They really can buy anything they want for themselves so they're hard to buy for. I'm tempted to just have DH pick out MIL's gift since she actually thinks he does anyway, but that would just be mean since she wouldn't get anything at all that way.

 

[Bearshouse]

The best Christmas present we ever got was from the nurses that were taking care of our very premature son in the NICU (he was born 9 days before Christmas). They took the time to place each childs hand in a small amount of clay to make hand prints. Then place them on paper snowflakes. Even though we weren't able to hold our child yet it eased the pain.

In honor of that he "helps" us make presents each year. Here is the list of what we have made:

Sponge painted boxes with homemade cookies
Hand painted ornaments
Chocolate covered pretzels
Do it yourself bird feeders
Do it your tool boxes
Hand painted frames with family photo
Homemade coupon book
Do it yourself bird houses
Cement handprint for outdoors

This year we are doing the coupon book again.

Bearshouse

 

[StephMK]

The *real* present for us is hitting the after-Christmas sales.

That is my favorite too! My parents are coming to visit us right after Christmas so I'll either go shopping w/my mom for her gift or shop for them at the after sales but before they arrive. I may give a GC to each kid so they can shop too.

I really, really have to stick to the set budget this year. I've picked up a few things along the way and we've stopped exchanging with most extended family too. Luckily, the kids don't have any major wish list items this year so that helps. I think I'm going to ask my parents to give us either a group wii game or membership to the local museum as one of the items.

I bought bread pans & tins last year I never used so they will be perfect for neighbor gifts, etc. this year. The kids love cooking so we will plan to do pretzel sticks, candy, cookies & bread & focus on non-gift giving time.

 

[budbeerlady]

We are sticking to the list. I decided already what I wanted to purchase each person and have been buying it. I am done except for Dd's stocking so I would have more money to play with at Disney in December.

I am so bad when I shop, I would find something on sale and keep buying so I spent $xxx on Dh's family and even worse with Dh and Dd. It looked like our tree dropped presents and not needles.

I visited the Le Creuset outlet for Dh's Moms gift, looks very nice and was $21+ tax instead of $51+. I use points for Dh's step-dad's gift and the nephew's gifts I bought over the summer if Amazon had a good deal for under $10 each. We do not exchange with my family but have a nice dinner together instead. I feel less grinchy about it all with Dh's side since we set our own limits, its silly to spend $100's on everyone when we need nothing.

 

[limace]

Great ideas here! I'm definitely going to try that White Trash recipe.

We are doing Xmas in Maui this year so are spending less on gifts, plus they have to be small/portable.

DD13 is easy-got the AE gift card deal for her main present. I've been haunting this site and others like slick deals for great deals-got my 4 year old purple crocs for $7 shipped, for instance. Matching jammies for all 3 for $9 each at Children's Place.

I hate not having presents under the tree, so will definitely buy at least one thing for each adult on the trip. I've been using the 40% off Borders coupons to buy books, CDs, etc as we are all big readers.

The inlaws are the hardest. FIL and his wife do 10 weeks (!) in Hawaii every January so we always just get them a restaurant gc they can use in Honolulu. My SIL has kids that are 13 and 16-all they really want is gift cards, so we just end up exchanging gift cards for each others kids. I am going to suggest we save the money and do some experience together instead-a weekend trip, a show, etc. I also thought of giving them those great group on movie tickets-such a deal.

We donate to The Heifer Project every year for my dad-the kids love picking which animal we are going to give . Usually wrap up a small plastic animal for him to open.

 

[Mom_Rides]

The last couple of years have been hard, financially, on us as well as other family members. I haven't exchanged with my siblings in a few years and last year we did not exchange with DH's siblings either (although we had done an exchange in the past). Last year we the only thing we did for our parents and grandparents were a framed old-fashioned photo of our family that we got before I lost my job last year. We got the frames at Kohls for $10 each. We bought for our nieces and nephews but we bought and spent less then we had in the past.

DH's family gets together on Christmas Eve for a nice family, potluck dinner and does a white elephant type exchange. For that we cashed out our debit card points for gift cards. We were also very trim on what we got our children and between the 3 of them spent less then $200.

This year, although financially things are easier for us, we plan to keep things a little slim. We'll cash out our points again soon and use them for gifts (we have more points this year too!). The kids have already given us wish lists and we are watching for sales. We've already picked up a couple of gifts for nieces and nephews when we've seen them on sale.

I could honestly care less if we (DH and I) get gifts. I just love being with our family and doing all the Christmas-y traditions and EATING That's what Christmas is all about after all

 

[Jill in Chicago]

Instead of making/baking "everything," poll your family to find out their favorites. Often it is just one or two things. Sometimes we bakers/cooks go a bit crazy making a great selection when what people want is their favorites. Same with appetizers, and the main dish. Instead of a pricey main dish perhaps there is a much cheaper alternative that everyone would love, say homemade mac and cheese or a huge pot of homemade chicken noodle soup.

Say no to the "junkers," those little things that sit on the shelf, break easily, or are totally not needed. There are still lots of fun holiday themed stuff that you can actually use like pencils, pens, note pads, and even boxers.

 

[C.Ann]

DGD just informed all of us 2 weeks ago that she doesn't want anything "big" or "expensive" for Christmas.. There's just nothing she's interested in when it comes to the "material" side of it.. Wow!!

She's very excited about the decorating; our annual "Grandma/granddaughter Christmas cookie baking marathon"; this week she will be compiling the Christmas music on to CD's to listen to while we're decorating and baking; she's interested in making some ornaments for other people; would like to make handmade cards for the special people in her life; wants to spend time as a family playing all of the assorted Christmas games we have; etc..

I did give her a few catalogs I had up here and told her she had to at least pick out a "few" things that I could get her - as well as her parents - so she would have something to open on Christmas morning and on her very short list, there was nothing on there that cost over $6.95 !!!!! Don't know where this attitude came from (although she's never really been greedy - or even close to it - but each year there was usually "one" thing a tad on the more expensive side), but wherever it came from, she's happier and more excited about Christmas this year than she was last year!

So - we (myself, DD and her DH) are going to follow her lead and really try to lean towards a few inexpensive items and let it go at that.. (As far as I'm concerned, they can shop for me at the Dollar Store! )

We're going to focus more on the family stuff - the decorating - the baking - sharing goodies with those who aren't as fortunate, etc.. I think sooner or later we all get to the point where we just feel like, "Do we really need more stuff??" And the answer is usually no - unless there's that one specific item that we really need or want..

We also won't be buying for a lot of other people either - because they've also reached the point where it's just "too much stuff"..

A few small gatherings during the month of December would be nice.. Also riding around looking at the decorations and lights.. Maybe a "cookie swap"..

This has been a tough year for lots and lots of folks, so if anyone is looking for the year to finally make the changes you've been wanting to for awhile, I think this would be the one to do it!!

Hope everyone has a great holiday season - without the emphasis on gifts and spending money that would be better spent elsewhere (or saved!!)..

 

[mhsjax]

DGD just informed all of us 2 weeks ago that she doesn't want anything "big" or "expensive" for Christmas.. There's just nothing she's interested in when it comes to the "material" side of it.. Wow!!

She's very excited about the decorating; our annual "Grandma/granddaughter Christmas cookie baking marathon"; this week she will be compiling the Christmas music on to CD's to listen to while we're decorating and baking; she's interested in making some ornaments for other people; would like to make handmade cards for the special people in her life; wants to spend time as a family playing all of the assorted Christmas games we have; etc..

I did give her a few catalogs I had up here and told her she had to at least pick out a "few" things that I could get her - as well as her parents - so she would have something to open on Christmas morning and on her very short list, there was nothing on there that cost over $6.95 !!!!! Don't know where this attitude came from (although she's never really been greedy - or even close to it - but each year there was usually "one" thing a tad on the more expensive side), but wherever it came from, she's happier and more excited about Christmas this year than she was last year!

So - we (myself, DD and her DH) are going to follow her lead and really try to lean towards a few inexpensive items and let it go at that.. (As far as I'm concerned, they can shop for me at the Dollar Store! )

We're going to focus more on the family stuff - the decorating - the baking - sharing goodies with those who aren't as fortunate, etc.. I think sooner or later we all get to the point where we just feel like, "Do we really need more stuff??" And the answer is usually no - unless there's that one specific item that we really need or want..

We also won't be buying for a lot of other people either - because they've also reached the point where it's just "too much stuff"..

A few small gatherings during the month of December would be nice.. Also riding around looking at the decorations and lights.. Maybe a "cookie swap"..

This has been a tough year for lots and lots of folks, so if anyone is looking for the year to finally make the changes you've been wanting to for awhile, I think this would be the one to do it!!

Hope everyone has a great holiday season - without the emphasis on gifts and spending money that would be better spent elsewhere (or saved!!)..

My favorite Christmas memories were baking with my mom. She loved Christmas more than anything and she would bake for weeks for different groups of people.

 

[timzagain]

I normally shop year round for Christmas gift. I've used the same year round shopping strategy this year, but with a few changes to my list and budget

1. I lowered the budgeted amount per gift.
2. The list was culled and a few names have been omitted
3. I'm giving family or couple gifts where feasible
4. I've set myself a challenge - I will not buy any gift wrap, tags, bows, ribbon etc. I will find creative ways to use the materials at my disposal to wrap gifts nicely with very little expense
5. I have sworn off buying new decorations this year - that will be quite a challenge for me! I love Christmas decorations!

We had decided several months ago to reduce our Christmas spending. However, we've had some huge budget busters in recent weeks that make it even more important to keep our Christmas spending in check!

 

[Terry36]

DGD just informed all of us 2 weeks ago that she doesn't want anything "big" or "expensive" for Christmas.. There's just nothing she's interested in when it comes to the "material" side of it.. Wow!!

She's very excited about the decorating; our annual "Grandma/granddaughter Christmas cookie baking marathon"; this week she will be compiling the Christmas music on to CD's to listen to while we're decorating and baking; she's interested in making some ornaments for other people; would like to make handmade cards for the special people in her life; wants to spend time as a family playing all of the assorted Christmas games we have; etc..

I did give her a few catalogs I had up here and told her she had to at least pick out a "few" things that I could get her - as well as her parents - so she would have something to open on Christmas morning and on her very short list, there was nothing on there that cost over $6.95 !!!!! Don't know where this attitude came from (although she's never really been greedy - or even close to it - but each year there was usually "one" thing a tad on the more expensive side), but wherever it came from, she's happier and more excited about Christmas this year than she was last year!

So - we (myself, DD and her DH) are going to follow her lead and really try to lean towards a few inexpensive items and let it go at that.. (As far as I'm concerned, they can shop for me at the Dollar Store! )

We're going to focus more on the family stuff - the decorating - the baking - sharing goodies with those who aren't as fortunate, etc.. I think sooner or later we all get to the point where we just feel like, "Do we really need more stuff??" And the answer is usually no - unless there's that one specific item that we really need or want..

We also won't be buying for a lot of other people either - because they've also reached the point where it's just "too much stuff"..

A few small gatherings during the month of December would be nice.. Also riding around looking at the decorations and lights.. Maybe a "cookie swap"..

This has been a tough year for lots and lots of folks, so if anyone is looking for the year to finally make the changes you've been wanting to for awhile, I think this would be the one to do it!!

Hope everyone has a great holiday season - without the emphasis on gifts and spending money that would be better spent elsewhere (or saved!!)..

C.Ann ~ thank you for this post. This will be a "much less" Christmas for my family, the 1st ever so I will definately take heed to your thoughts and ideas.

 

[C.Ann]

C.Ann ~ thank you for this post. This will be a "much less" Christmas for my family, the 1st ever so I will definately take heed to your thoughts and ideas.

Please don't let your circumstances drag you down - or make you feel "deprived" in any way (or that you're depriving anyone else).. A "much less" can truly be "the best ever" Christmas.. It's all about "attitude" and how you approach it.. I didn't mention in that post that my DGD just turned 12, so for her to be so excited about a Christmas with less "stuff" shows that even kids can be on board with this..

I don't know if you have children or not, but think about this.. If you do have a child - and you do something special or different with that child this year (let's say make some ornaments or handmade cards) - OR you buy that child a $50 toy (or pair of jeans or whatever).. Twenty years from now, which thing do you think your child will remember and treasure? That's what it's all about.. People; family; feelings; memories... NOT "things"..

 

[budbeerlady]

Please don't let your circumstances drag you down - or make you feel "deprived" in any way (or that you're depriving anyone else).. A "much less" can truly be "the best ever" Christmas.. It's all about "attitude" and how you approach it..
Twenty years from now, which thing do you think your child will remember and treasure? That's what it's all about.. People; family; feelings; memories... NOT "things"..

Very true! Last year my cousin had her children exchange names between the 5 of them. They then each were given $10 but the item had to be either homemade or reused. The kids had a riot figuring out what to make or give their siblings and made some wonderful memories!