Is anyone else cutting back on spending this Christmas?

[disneyseniors]

We are cutting back on spending for the first time this year. What with rising prices everywhere, it seemed like a good idea.
We are spending only on the kids/grandkids(for us), and that's it. We have put a limit on what we spend for the grandkids this year, and they know about it. They are onboard with it. We are going to do more family games and visiting this time. We have a large extended family and it can get spendy. It's never bothered us before as we always planned for the increased expense.

I was just wondering if others are cutting back too, and can give us any tips to save this Christmas.

 

[mmbrad02]

We are not this year, but for the last 5 years or so we have really trimmed down our list. It's manageable now so we will continue with it.

 

[nolatravelgirl]

I am not cutting back on my budget but I am reallocating it from all the "stuff" that gets used rarely and then donated to more experiences. Taking a cruise that leaves the day after Christmas. My line of work is booming.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

We have cut back for the last 7-10 years and this year will be no different. We haven't really bought gifts for at least the last 5 years and it's great. No hunting for the "it" gift of the season and no having to worry about going overboard with gifts that were forgotten often before we put the Christmas decorations away.

Our adult children tell us what a relief it is not having to worry about gifts while their friends are stressing about finding the perfect gifts. Our focus for the holidays is to spend time together - we bake cookies, drive around and enjoy the holiday decorations, watch Christmas movies and enjoy some amazing meals (which admittedly cost more this year, but our budget can absorb the cost when we're not spending a fortune on gifts).

You've already done the hard part -- letting everyone know and getting them on board. That was the hardest thing for us with extended family. We told them for years that our kids had way too much and didn't need anything. We suggested that instead of buying them toys and stuff, that they come and spend the day with us (and bring a box of donuts or a pizza if they felt they HAD to bring something). It took us being out of town for Christmas for 4-5 years in a row for them to finally get the message and stop buying gifts.

Hope you have an amazing holiday season and find some new family traditions to enjoy!

 

[loves to dive]

We have cut back for the last 7-10 years and this year will be no different. We haven't really bought gifts for at least the last 5 years and it's great. No hunting for the "it" gift of the season and no having to worry about going overboard with gifts that were forgotten often before we put the Christmas decorations away.

Our adult children tell us what a relief it is not having to worry about gifts while their friends are stressing about finding the perfect gifts. Our focus for the holidays is to spend time together - we bake cookies, drive around and enjoy the holiday decorations, watch Christmas movies and enjoy some amazing meals (which admittedly cost more this year, but our budget can absorb the cost when we're not spending a fortune on gifts).

You've already done the hard part -- letting everyone know and getting them on board. That was the hardest thing for us with extended family. We told them for years that our kids had way too much and didn't need anything. We suggested that instead of buying them toys and stuff, that they come and spend the day with us (and bring a box of donuts or a pizza if they felt they HAD to bring something). It took us being out of town for Christmas for 4-5 years in a row for them to finally get the message and stop buying gifts.

Hope you have an amazing holiday season and find some new family traditions to enjoy!

This is us as well. I have 5 brothers, all with kids, hubby only has one brother but he has 3 kids. It just got too much and because hubby and I both worked at the time and my son was grown, everyone seemed to think we should give expensive gifts. We are that couple that if we want something we just get it so giving gifts to each other stopped even before. It got to the point where he and his parents were literally exchanging cash. We just told everyone not to get us anything and to give to charity instead.

My adult son's birthday is Dec. 3 so I usually give him a big combo birthday/Christmas gift (one year it was new tires and brakes on his car) and then some little something for each, usually an Amazon or Uber gift card. He has a new baby now, she will be 8 months old for Christmas so this year I won't go crazy since she really won't know. I am going to Disney the week of Dec. 12th so I'll get her a few things from there, she has already been and watches Mickey Mouse on TV so she knows him. He and his SO are buying a new house which they should close on near the first week of December so I'm sure I'll just get them things they need for the house. I know hubby is getting him a new grill and I told them I would pay closing costs. They got such a good deal on the house with the seller paying a huge amount toward closing it might end up with them paying nothing. If that is the case, I'll probably get them a fridge since they had planned on just getting a bare bones one. That's the only gifts we will give. I put up a tree and decorate the living room, dining room and kitchen but I don't even do the whole house any more. Hubby and I put little gag gifts in our stockings for each other. It's really takes the stress out of the season.

 

[DisMommyTX]

Our plan is less about saving money than it is about accumulating less stuff. DD is off to college soon, so we are thinking about downsizing in a couple years. I am trying to get rid of the garbage we have already accumulated and actively opposed to bringing any more things we don't need into this house.

 

[DisneyDillyDally]

Our plan is less about saving money than it is about accumulating less stuff. DD is off to college soon, so we are thinking about downsizing in a couple years. I am trying to get rid of the garbage we have already accumulated and actively opposed to bringing any more things we don't need into this house.

Same! I dread that part of my Christmas Day has always included me making a pile of brand new items to send to Salvation Army because we were given things we didn’t need or want.

 

[disneyseniors]

We are not this year, but for the last 5 years or so we have really trimmed down our list. It's manageable now so we will continue with it.

Trimming down that list really makes you feel better, doesn't it. We are doing that too

 

[disneyseniors]

We are not this year, but for the last 5 years or so we have really trimmed down our list. It's manageable now so we will continue with it.

Trimming down that list really makes you feel better, doesn't it. We are doing that too

I am not cutting back on my budget but I am reallocating it from all the "stuff" that gets used rarely and then donated to more experiences. Taking a cruise that leaves the day after Christmas. My line of work is booming.

Wow, congrats on the cruise. I've tried to talk my husband into just renting a large beach house and having family for Christmas, with no gift giving.
Haven't won that one yet

 

[disneyseniors]

We are not this year, but for the last 5 years or so we have really trimmed down our list. It's manageable now so we will continue with it.

Trimming down that list really makes you feel better, doesn't it. We are doing that too

I am not cutting back on my budget but I am reallocating it from all the "stuff" that gets used rarely and then donated to more experiences. Taking a cruise that leaves the day after Christmas. My line of work is booming.

Wow, congrats on the cruise. I've tried to talk my husband into just renting a large beach house and having family for Christmas, with no gift giving.
Haven't won that one yet

We have cut back for the last 7-10 years and this year will be no different. We haven't really bought gifts for at least the last 5 years and it's great. No hunting for the "it" gift of the season and no having to worry about going overboard with gifts that were forgotten often before we put the Christmas decorations away.

Our adult children tell us what a relief it is not having to worry about gifts while their friends are stressing about finding the perfect gifts. Our focus for the holidays is to spend time together - we bake cookies, drive around and enjoy the holiday decorations, watch Christmas movies and enjoy some amazing meals (which admittedly cost more this year, but our budget can absorb the cost when we're not spending a fortune on gifts).

You've already done the hard part -- letting everyone know and getting them on board. That was the hardest thing for us with extended family. We told them for years that our kids had way too much and didn't need anything. We suggested that instead of buying them toys and stuff, that they come and spend the day with us (and bring a box of donuts or a pizza if they felt they HAD to bring something). It took us being out of town for Christmas for 4-5 years in a row for them to finally get the message and stop buying gifts.

Hope you have an amazing holiday season and find some new family traditions to enjoy!

Great fan, that sounds wonderful. This was the first step. HOnestly, my grown daughter was the one who fought doing this, but is now on board
We have teenage grandkids, and everything they want costs alot of money. So, we told them we are limiting our gift giving to X$'s and they are fine with it. Your Christmas's sound amazing

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Yes and no.

Since one aunts birthday at the beginning of the month and the other aunts birthday is Xmas Eve, my parents always took the reigns in their gifts. Even now as an adult, they still take the reigns so that nothing gets caught in the cross hairs (I buy my own cards but basically get them to my parents before we go out for their respective bdays). So in terms of that? No

in terms of my parents: Yes. I always get two or three combined and separated things from me and one from my dog, but this year they are getting one big thing from me and one or two little things from my dog.
As my grandparents have gotten older, money or gift cards to places they frequent is the way to go. Before my grandpa couldn’t drive anymore, he loved getting a gift card to the gas station. My grandmother loves getting money because she can buy what she wants (my parents did get them pajamas though last year which was a welcome change)

 

[disneyseniors]

We are not this year, but for the last 5 years or so we have really trimmed down our list. It's manageable now so we will continue with it.

Trimming down that list really makes you feel better, doesn't it. We are doing that too

I am not cutting back on my budget but I am reallocating it from all the "stuff" that gets used rarely and then donated to more experiences. Taking a cruise that leaves the day after Christmas. My line of work is booming.

Wow, congrats on the cruise. I've tried to talk my husband into just renting a large beach house and having family for Christmas, with no gift giving.
Haven't won that one yet

We have cut back for the last 7-10 years and this year will be no different. We haven't really bought gifts for at least the last 5 years and it's great. No hunting for the "it" gift of the season and no having to worry about going overboard with gifts that were forgotten often before we put the Christmas decorations away.

Our adult children tell us what a relief it is not having to worry about gifts while their friends are stressing about finding the perfect gifts. Our focus for the holidays is to spend time together - we bake cookies, drive around and enjoy the holiday decorations, watch Christmas movies and enjoy some amazing meals (which admittedly cost more this year, but our budget can absorb the cost when we're not spending a fortune on gifts).

You've already done the hard part -- letting everyone know and getting them on board. That was the hardest thing for us with extended family. We told them for years that our kids had way too much and didn't need anything. We suggested that instead of buying them toys and stuff, that they come and spend the day with us (and bring a box of donuts or a pizza if they felt they HAD to bring something). It took us being out of town for Christmas for 4-5 years in a row for them to finally get the message and stop buying gifts.

Hope you have an amazing holiday season and find some new family traditions to enjoy!

Great fan, that sounds wonderful. This was the first step. HOnestly, my grown daughter was the one who fought doing this, but is now on board
We have teenage grandkids, and everything they want costs alot of money. So, we told them we are limiting our gift giving to X$'s and they are fine with it. Your Christmas's sound amazing

This is us as well. I have 5 brothers, all with kids, hubby only has one brother but he has 3 kids. It just got too much and because hubby and I both worked at the time and my son was grown, everyone seemed to think we should give expensive gifts. We are that couple that if we want something we just get it so giving gifts to each other stopped even before. It got to the point where he and his parents were literally exchanging cash. We just told everyone not to get us anything and to give to charity instead.

My adult son's birthday is Dec. 3 so I usually give him a big combo birthday/Christmas gift (one year it was new tires and brakes on his car) and then some little something for each, usually an Amazon or Uber gift card. He has a new baby now, she will be 8 months old for Christmas so this year I won't go crazy since she really won't know. I am going to Disney the week of Dec. 12th so I'll get her a few things from there, she has already been and watches Mickey Mouse on TV so she knows him. He and his SO are buying a new house which they should close on near the first week of December so I'm sure I'll just get them things they need for the house. I know hubby is getting him a new grill and I told them I would pay closing costs. They got such a good deal on the house with the seller paying a huge amount toward closing it might end up with them paying nothing. If that is the case, I'll probably get them a fridge since they had planned on just getting a bare bones one. That's the only gifts we will give. I put up a tree and decorate the living room, dining room and kitchen but I don't even do the whole house any more. Hubby and I put little gag gifts in our stockings for each other. It's really takes the stress out of the season.

Loves to Dive, congratulations on your grand baby I have 6 grandkids and 1 great GK, with one on the way. (I know I am that old) LOL!
My husband and I quit buying gifts for each other too. We are at an age where we just buy what we want now.
It sounds like your son got a great deal on the house. A fridge sounds great to me for your son. We are so practical that when we got married, I bought a washer and dryer and we held off on our honey moon for a couple of years

 

[disneyseniors]

We are not this year, but for the last 5 years or so we have really trimmed down our list. It's manageable now so we will continue with it.

Trimming down that list really makes you feel better, doesn't it. We are doing that too

I am not cutting back on my budget but I am reallocating it from all the "stuff" that gets used rarely and then donated to more experiences. Taking a cruise that leaves the day after Christmas. My line of work is booming.

Wow, congrats on the cruise. I've tried to talk my husband into just renting a large beach house and having family for Christmas, with no gift giving.
Haven't won that one yet

We have cut back for the last 7-10 years and this year will be no different. We haven't really bought gifts for at least the last 5 years and it's great. No hunting for the "it" gift of the season and no having to worry about going overboard with gifts that were forgotten often before we put the Christmas decorations away.

Our adult children tell us what a relief it is not having to worry about gifts while their friends are stressing about finding the perfect gifts. Our focus for the holidays is to spend time together - we bake cookies, drive around and enjoy the holiday decorations, watch Christmas movies and enjoy some amazing meals (which admittedly cost more this year, but our budget can absorb the cost when we're not spending a fortune on gifts).

You've already done the hard part -- letting everyone know and getting them on board. That was the hardest thing for us with extended family. We told them for years that our kids had way too much and didn't need anything. We suggested that instead of buying them toys and stuff, that they come and spend the day with us (and bring a box of donuts or a pizza if they felt they HAD to bring something). It took us being out of town for Christmas for 4-5 years in a row for them to finally get the message and stop buying gifts.

Hope you have an amazing holiday season and find some new family traditions to enjoy!

Great fan, that sounds wonderful. This was the first step. HOnestly, my grown daughter was the one who fought doing this, but is now on board
We have teenage grandkids, and everything they want costs alot of money. So, we told them we are limiting our gift giving to X$'s and they are fine with it. Your Christmas's sound amazing

This is us as well. I have 5 brothers, all with kids, hubby only has one brother but he has 3 kids. It just got too much and because hubby and I both worked at the time and my son was grown, everyone seemed to think we should give expensive gifts. We are that couple that if we want something we just get it so giving gifts to each other stopped even before. It got to the point where he and his parents were literally exchanging cash. We just told everyone not to get us anything and to give to charity instead.

My adult son's birthday is Dec. 3 so I usually give him a big combo birthday/Christmas gift (one year it was new tires and brakes on his car) and then some little something for each, usually an Amazon or Uber gift card. He has a new baby now, she will be 8 months old for Christmas so this year I won't go crazy since she really won't know. I am going to Disney the week of Dec. 12th so I'll get her a few things from there, she has already been and watches Mickey Mouse on TV so she knows him. He and his SO are buying a new house which they should close on near the first week of December so I'm sure I'll just get them things they need for the house. I know hubby is getting him a new grill and I told them I would pay closing costs. They got such a good deal on the house with the seller paying a huge amount toward closing it might end up with them paying nothing. If that is the case, I'll probably get them a fridge since they had planned on just getting a bare bones one. That's the only gifts we will give. I put up a tree and decorate the living room, dining room and kitchen but I don't even do the whole house any more. Hubby and I put little gag gifts in our stockings for each other. It's really takes the stress out of the season.

Loves to Dive, congratulations on your grand baby I have 6 grandkids and 1 great GK, with one on the way. (I know I am that old) LOL!
My husband and I quit buying gifts for each other too. We are at an age where we just buy what we want now.
It sounds like your son got a great deal on the house. A fridge sounds great to me for your son. We are so practical that when we got married, I bought a washer and dryer and we held off on our honey moon for a couple of years

Our plan is less about saving money than it is about accumulating less stuff. DD is off to college soon, so we are thinking about downsizing in a couple years. I am trying to get rid of the garbage we have already accumulated and actively opposed to bringing any more things we don't need into this house.

DIsmommy Tx: That sounds like a good plan. I am continually trying to get rid of all the stuff we have accumulated for years!

 

[disneyseniors]

We are not this year, but for the last 5 years or so we have really trimmed down our list. It's manageable now so we will continue with it.

Trimming down that list really makes you feel better, doesn't it. We are doing that too

I am not cutting back on my budget but I am reallocating it from all the "stuff" that gets used rarely and then donated to more experiences. Taking a cruise that leaves the day after Christmas. My line of work is booming.

Wow, congrats on the cruise. I've tried to talk my husband into just renting a large beach house and having family for Christmas, with no gift giving.
Haven't won that one yet

We have cut back for the last 7-10 years and this year will be no different. We haven't really bought gifts for at least the last 5 years and it's great. No hunting for the "it" gift of the season and no having to worry about going overboard with gifts that were forgotten often before we put the Christmas decorations away.

Our adult children tell us what a relief it is not having to worry about gifts while their friends are stressing about finding the perfect gifts. Our focus for the holidays is to spend time together - we bake cookies, drive around and enjoy the holiday decorations, watch Christmas movies and enjoy some amazing meals (which admittedly cost more this year, but our budget can absorb the cost when we're not spending a fortune on gifts).

You've already done the hard part -- letting everyone know and getting them on board. That was the hardest thing for us with extended family. We told them for years that our kids had way too much and didn't need anything. We suggested that instead of buying them toys and stuff, that they come and spend the day with us (and bring a box of donuts or a pizza if they felt they HAD to bring something). It took us being out of town for Christmas for 4-5 years in a row for them to finally get the message and stop buying gifts.

Hope you have an amazing holiday season and find some new family traditions to enjoy!

Great fan, that sounds wonderful. This was the first step. HOnestly, my grown daughter was the one who fought doing this, but is now on board
We have teenage grandkids, and everything they want costs alot of money. So, we told them we are limiting our gift giving to X$'s and they are fine with it. Your Christmas's sound amazing

This is us as well. I have 5 brothers, all with kids, hubby only has one brother but he has 3 kids. It just got too much and because hubby and I both worked at the time and my son was grown, everyone seemed to think we should give expensive gifts. We are that couple that if we want something we just get it so giving gifts to each other stopped even before. It got to the point where he and his parents were literally exchanging cash. We just told everyone not to get us anything and to give to charity instead.

My adult son's birthday is Dec. 3 so I usually give him a big combo birthday/Christmas gift (one year it was new tires and brakes on his car) and then some little something for each, usually an Amazon or Uber gift card. He has a new baby now, she will be 8 months old for Christmas so this year I won't go crazy since she really won't know. I am going to Disney the week of Dec. 12th so I'll get her a few things from there, she has already been and watches Mickey Mouse on TV so she knows him. He and his SO are buying a new house which they should close on near the first week of December so I'm sure I'll just get them things they need for the house. I know hubby is getting him a new grill and I told them I would pay closing costs. They got such a good deal on the house with the seller paying a huge amount toward closing it might end up with them paying nothing. If that is the case, I'll probably get them a fridge since they had planned on just getting a bare bones one. That's the only gifts we will give. I put up a tree and decorate the living room, dining room and kitchen but I don't even do the whole house any more. Hubby and I put little gag gifts in our stockings for each other. It's really takes the stress out of the season.

Loves to Dive, congratulations on your grand baby I have 6 grandkids and 1 great GK, with one on the way. (I know I am that old) LOL!
My husband and I quit buying gifts for each other too. We are at an age where we just buy what we want now.
It sounds like your son got a great deal on the house. A fridge sounds great to me for your son. We are so practical that when we got married, I bought a washer and dryer and we held off on our honey moon for a couple of years

Our plan is less about saving money than it is about accumulating less stuff. DD is off to college soon, so we are thinking about downsizing in a couple years. I am trying to get rid of the garbage we have already accumulated and actively opposed to bringing any more things we don't need into this house.

DIsmommy Tx: That sounds like a good plan. I am continually trying to get rid of all the stuff we have accumulated for years!

Same! I dread that part of my Christmas Day has always included me making a pile of brand new items to send to Salvation Army because we were given things we didn’t need or want.

disneydillydally: Yes, that seems to be a common thread after Christmas. It's kind of sad that people are given "things" just to be giving a gift. But the Salvation Army appreciates it

 

[disneyseniors]

We are not this year, but for the last 5 years or so we have really trimmed down our list. It's manageable now so we will continue with it.

Trimming down that list really makes you feel better, doesn't it. We are doing that too

I am not cutting back on my budget but I am reallocating it from all the "stuff" that gets used rarely and then donated to more experiences. Taking a cruise that leaves the day after Christmas. My line of work is booming.

Wow, congrats on the cruise. I've tried to talk my husband into just renting a large beach house and having family for Christmas, with no gift giving.
Haven't won that one yet

We have cut back for the last 7-10 years and this year will be no different. We haven't really bought gifts for at least the last 5 years and it's great. No hunting for the "it" gift of the season and no having to worry about going overboard with gifts that were forgotten often before we put the Christmas decorations away.

Our adult children tell us what a relief it is not having to worry about gifts while their friends are stressing about finding the perfect gifts. Our focus for the holidays is to spend time together - we bake cookies, drive around and enjoy the holiday decorations, watch Christmas movies and enjoy some amazing meals (which admittedly cost more this year, but our budget can absorb the cost when we're not spending a fortune on gifts).

You've already done the hard part -- letting everyone know and getting them on board. That was the hardest thing for us with extended family. We told them for years that our kids had way too much and didn't need anything. We suggested that instead of buying them toys and stuff, that they come and spend the day with us (and bring a box of donuts or a pizza if they felt they HAD to bring something). It took us being out of town for Christmas for 4-5 years in a row for them to finally get the message and stop buying gifts.

Hope you have an amazing holiday season and find some new family traditions to enjoy!

Great fan, that sounds wonderful. This was the first step. HOnestly, my grown daughter was the one who fought doing this, but is now on board
We have teenage grandkids, and everything they want costs alot of money. So, we told them we are limiting our gift giving to X$'s and they are fine with it. Your Christmas's sound amazing

This is us as well. I have 5 brothers, all with kids, hubby only has one brother but he has 3 kids. It just got too much and because hubby and I both worked at the time and my son was grown, everyone seemed to think we should give expensive gifts. We are that couple that if we want something we just get it so giving gifts to each other stopped even before. It got to the point where he and his parents were literally exchanging cash. We just told everyone not to get us anything and to give to charity instead.

My adult son's birthday is Dec. 3 so I usually give him a big combo birthday/Christmas gift (one year it was new tires and brakes on his car) and then some little something for each, usually an Amazon or Uber gift card. He has a new baby now, she will be 8 months old for Christmas so this year I won't go crazy since she really won't know. I am going to Disney the week of Dec. 12th so I'll get her a few things from there, she has already been and watches Mickey Mouse on TV so she knows him. He and his SO are buying a new house which they should close on near the first week of December so I'm sure I'll just get them things they need for the house. I know hubby is getting him a new grill and I told them I would pay closing costs. They got such a good deal on the house with the seller paying a huge amount toward closing it might end up with them paying nothing. If that is the case, I'll probably get them a fridge since they had planned on just getting a bare bones one. That's the only gifts we will give. I put up a tree and decorate the living room, dining room and kitchen but I don't even do the whole house any more. Hubby and I put little gag gifts in our stockings for each other. It's really takes the stress out of the season.

Loves to Dive, congratulations on your grand baby I have 6 grandkids and 1 great GK, with one on the way. (I know I am that old) LOL!
My husband and I quit buying gifts for each other too. We are at an age where we just buy what we want now.
It sounds like your son got a great deal on the house. A fridge sounds great to me for your son. We are so practical that when we got married, I bought a washer and dryer and we held off on our honey moon for a couple of years

Our plan is less about saving money than it is about accumulating less stuff. DD is off to college soon, so we are thinking about downsizing in a couple years. I am trying to get rid of the garbage we have already accumulated and actively opposed to bringing any more things we don't need into this house.

DIsmommy Tx: That sounds like a good plan. I am continually trying to get rid of all the stuff we have accumulated for years!

Same! I dread that part of my Christmas Day has always included me making a pile of brand new items to send to Salvation Army because we were given things we didn’t need or want.

disneydillydally: Yes, that seems to be a common thread after Christmas. It's kind of sad that people are given "things" just to be giving a gift. But the Salvation Army appreciates it

Yes and no.

Since one aunts birthday at the beginning of the month and the other aunts birthday is Xmas Eve, my parents always took the reigns in their gifts. Even now as an adult, they still take the reigns so that nothing gets caught in the cross hairs (I buy my own cards but basically get them to my parents before we go out for their respective bdays). So in terms of that? No

in terms of my parents: Yes. I always get two or three combined and separated things from me and one from my dog, but this year they are getting one big thing from me and one or two little things from my dog.
As my grandparents have gotten older, money or gift cards to places they frequent is the way to go. Before my grandpa couldn’t drive anymore, he loved getting a gift card to the gas station. My grandmother loves getting money because she can buy what she wants (my parents did get them pajamas though last year which was a welcome change)

Broadway Hermione: (I love your name, BTW) My 94 y/o Mom who has everything, gets gift cards to spend, especially at the grocery store. I love getting gift cards too

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Trimming down that list really makes you feel better, doesn't it. We are doing that too


Wow, congrats on the cruise. I've tried to talk my husband into just renting a large beach house and having family for Christmas, with no gift giving.
Haven't won that one yet


Great fan, that sounds wonderful. This was the first step. HOnestly, my grown daughter was the one who fought doing this, but is now on board
We have teenage grandkids, and everything they want costs alot of money. So, we told them we are limiting our gift giving to X$'s and they are fine with it. Your Christmas's sound amazing


Loves to Dive, congratulations on your grand baby I have 6 grandkids and 1 great GK, with one on the way. (I know I am that old) LOL!
My husband and I quit buying gifts for each other too. We are at an age where we just buy what we want now.
It sounds like your son got a great deal on the house. A fridge sounds great to me for your son. We are so practical that when we got married, I bought a washer and dryer and we held off on our honey moon for a couple of years



DIsmommy Tx: That sounds like a good plan. I am continually trying to get rid of all the stuff we have accumulated for years!

disneydillydally: Yes, that seems to be a common thread after Christmas. It's kind of sad that people are given "things" just to be giving a gift. But the Salvation Army appreciates it


Broadway Hermione: (I love your name, BTW) My 94 y/o Mom who has everything, gets gift cards to spend, especially at the grocery store. I love getting gift cards too

Thank you!
We always did gas gift cards for Xmas for my grandpa and grocery stores for his bday! We still do for the latter! Pre pandemic we always got my grandma gift cards to her hair and nail salon!

 

[DisneyHardin]

My spending is actually going to be up from last year. Last Christmas I was still working from home and we didn't do any extended family get togethers. This year I am back at work, so I will guy gifts for co-workers (about $200 total) and we are planning some family get togethers and at least one of those will have a name draw.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

When we moved across country 5 years ago, our Christmas list shrank significantly...thank goodness. A lot of gifting at my husbands old job. I felt it was getting out of control. A couple of times I suggested instead of exchanging/buying for each other, to adopt a family and help with their dinner and gifts. Nobody liked the idea. So, I'm glad we don't exchange that way any more. We've been putting a lot of work and money into our home since we moved in. Remodeled 4 bathrooms and bedrooms (1 more bedroom and 1 more bathroom to go), A LOT of painting, new furniture, 2 new AC units (1 more to go) and new furnace (1 more to go) and just put in 2 new driveways & walkway. But still lots we'd like to do so husband and I just give each other something little to have under the tree to open Christmas day. We have one child, a daughter, and we do spoil her a little(though she's a great kid and excellent student and deserves a little extra).

 

[PHXscuba]

I cut back on doing Christmas stocking for the married kids this year because they will have Christmas morning on their own. That takes me from 7 stockings to 3 to fill. My total dollar spend for my young adult/teen kids is about the same as always but fewer total gifts becuase they want expensive stuff. My mother loves buying gifts and has actually upped the amount for each grandchild. I think it's a reaction to Covid keeping her away last year and them all being teens/adults.

For extended family: We always get my parents a group gift and this year it's theater tickets so less to wrap/transport. My FIL lives locally so we do stuff with him throughout the year. We'll see almost all of my husband's family at a wedding right before Christmas but no gifts being exchanged.

I'm actually hoping I get very few tangible things because I am already itching to clean out and get rid of a bunch of stuff.

PHXscuba

 

[disneyseniors]

I cut back on doing Christmas stocking for the married kids this year because they will have Christmas morning on their own. That takes me from 7 stockings to 3 to fill. My total dollar spend for my young adult/teen kids is about the same as always but fewer total gifts becuase they want expensive stuff. My mother loves buying gifts and has actually upped the amount for each grandchild. I think it's a reaction to Covid keeping her away last year and them all being teens/adults.

For extended family: We always get my parents a group gift and this year it's theater tickets so less to wrap/transport. My FIL lives locally so we do stuff with him throughout the year. We'll see almost all of my husband's family at a wedding right before Christmas but no gifts being exchanged.

I'm actually hoping I get very few tangible things because I am already itching to clean out and get rid of a bunch of stuff.

PHXscuba

PHXscuba: You are soo right about the teens costing so much. I found out that what my teen grandson's wanted was the really expensive electronics!
No Way! They understand we won't get these for them and do appreciate what we give them. But it's hard to buy for teens when they get alot of expensive things before Christmas. My GS's usually buy their own after saving money from birthdays, etc. So they are learning the value of money