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 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.

 

[georgina]

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 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.

We did that years ago. It was too much buying for siblings, nieces and nephews, etc. Most family members seemed relieved when we told them we wanted to stop all the buying. Personally I don't want a lot of stuff I don't need. We still bought for our parents when they were alive. Even my adult kids don't really want anything, so we go out for dinner, movie, show, etc. For me it wasn't the money but the added stress, the anxiety of figuring out what to get was intense. Holidays are much more happy and calmer for me now.

 

[tvguy]

Same dollar amount, but suspect it will buy less this year. Still in pandemic mode so not doing gatherings.

 

[kathy884]

My son, nieces and nephews are grown, no grand babies (one grand niece, but I don't buy for her), and I have cut way back.

People I give to are getting a box of chocolate covered almonds (charity fund raiser from private school DS used to go to and everyone just loves these). That's what DH is getting, what my dad is getting, what my brother and his girlfriend are getting, what tennis friends are getting, and what one cousin of mine is getting. It's a little enough thing that no one feels like they need to exchange (can just say thank you). People who do services for me will get cash. Another cousin who is in a group home and doesn't have much always gets peanut brittle, a $300 gift card, and a $300 check from me (changed from adopting a family that I don't know to adopting my cousin at Christmas -- same dollar outlay as he has less than the charity families our church and others have of families to adopt).

The only person who gets something other than this is DS and I'm actually spending quite a bit (getting him a washer and dryer) for an apartment he'll be moving into on January 4th. Actually for Christmas he'll just get a picture as we'll want that delivered to his apartment. And I was actually going to get him this anyway, so the timing just means it gets to be his Christmas present.

I've just never been that into giving gifts for the sake of giving gifts to people who can buy whatever they want and if anything have too much stuff. And I don't like the shopping and don't want people to buy me gifts. (I sound like a Christmas Scrooge.) I've always been this way, and seem to cut back more and more each year.

 

[Chefnerd]

We just bought a house, so we decided we are just going to be humble and buy gifts for little ones and that’s it

 

[JLemaire7]

We’re cutting back but not because of the expense. More because of the hassle and because we want to focus on gatherings and spending time with family and friends we didn’t get to see last holiday because of the pandemic.

 

[CarolMN]

We’re cutting back but not because of the expense. More because of the hassle and because we want to focus on gatherings and spending time with family and friends we didn’t get to see last holiday because of the pandemic.

This is us, too. The older we get, the more important spending time with family & friends becomes.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

We don’t buy for many people. My husband and I usually buy whatever we need so we really don’t do presents for each other. We do buy for the kids but they are getting older so there are fewer things but they get pricier. We bought my older daughter an electronic piano she asked for. She wanted it last year but I wasn’t sure she‘d really use it but since it’s still on her list (and she does well in music) we got it this year. My younger daughter is getting an acoustic guitar. And a few video games for each one.

From my husband’s side, all his immediate family has passed now so there are no gifts to exchange. His cousins don’t get together now that their parents aren’t putting together a gathering.

 

[nlenguyen]

We are not buying as many gifts this year. We decided last minute to go to Disneyland since no family is able to come for Christmas.

 

[Darcy03231]

We're all adults and stopped doing Christmas gifts years ago. We get together on Christmas Day, eat, visit, play games, etc. and all have a wonderful time. It took the stress out of the holiday for all of us. Only people we still buy for are my parents (DH's are deceased) and nieces/nephews under 18. Every couple of years we take our adult children and their significant others/spouses on a vacation somewhere. That's our gift to them and theirs to us is spending time with us.

 

[disneyseniors]

We did that years ago. It was too much buying for siblings, nieces and nephews, etc. Most family members seemed relieved when we told them we wanted to stop all the buying. Personally I don't want a lot of stuff I don't need. We still bought for our parents when they were alive. Even my adult kids don't really want anything, so we go out for dinner, movie, show, etc. For me it wasn't the money but the added stress, the anxiety of figuring out what to get was intense. Holidays are much more happy and calmer for me now.

Georgina, I feel the same way. I know our stress level is going way down this year!

 

[disneyseniors]

Same dollar amount, but suspect it will buy less this year. Still in pandemic mode so not doing gatherings.

I never thought of it that way, that you are getting less for the same amount of money! That really brings the stress level up! Everyone in our group has had covid and vaccinations, so we feel pretty good about that. But it is a worry.

 

[disneyseniors]

We did that years ago. It was too much buying for siblings, nieces and nephews, etc. Most family members seemed relieved when we told them we wanted to stop all the buying. Personally I don't want a lot of stuff I don't need. We still bought for our parents when they were alive. Even my adult kids don't really want anything, so we go out for dinner, movie, show, etc. For me it wasn't the money but the added stress, the anxiety of figuring out what to get was intense. Holidays are much more happy and calmer for me now.

Georgina, I feel the same way. I know our stress level is going way down this year!

My son, nieces and nephews are grown, no grand babies (one grand niece, but I don't buy for her), and I have cut way back.

People I give to are getting a box of chocolate covered almonds (charity fund raiser from private school DS used to go to and everyone just loves these). That's what DH is getting, what my dad is getting, what my brother and his girlfriend are getting, what tennis friends are getting, and what one cousin of mine is getting. It's a little enough thing that no one feels like they need to exchange (can just say thank you). People who do services for me will get cash. Another cousin who is in a group home and doesn't have much always gets peanut brittle, a $300 gift card, and a $300 check from me (changed from adopting a family that I don't know to adopting my cousin at Christmas -- same dollar outlay as he has less than the charity families our church and others have of families to adopt).

The only person who gets something other than this is DS and I'm actually spending quite a bit (getting him a washer and dryer) for an apartment he'll be moving into on January 4th. Actually for Christmas he'll just get a picture as we'll want that delivered to his apartment. And I was actually going to get him this anyway, so the timing just means it gets to be his Christmas present.

I've just never been that into giving gifts for the sake of giving gifts to people who can buy whatever they want and if anything have too much stuff. And I don't like the shopping and don't want people to buy me gifts. (I sound like a Christmas Scrooge.) I've always been this way, and seem to cut back more and more each year.

LOL, Kathy, you don't sound like scrooge at all. I don't care for the shopping either. It all seems to be a race to get the "perfect" gift for everyone. No more for us, just the little ones. I think it's great you are buying your DS a washer and dryer for Christmas - at least you know he will appreciate it and need it. It seems most people now adays can buy what they want, and it's even difficult to buy for the kids too. It takes planning with Mom and dad

 

[disneyseniors]

We just bought a house, so we decided we are just going to be humble and buy gifts for little ones and that’s it

That's what we would do. Congrats on your new house

 

[disneyseniors]

We’re cutting back but not because of the expense. More because of the hassle and because we want to focus on gatherings and spending time with family and friends we didn’t get to see last holiday because of the pandemic.

I agree, but the expense does play a part in our decision too. We are going to do more family time with games and food

 

[dreamin_disney]

My side stopped gift exchange because it was getting to expensive as the family is growing. Hubby will still buy the same gift cards for his side of the family. Hubby wants to do a gift exchange with only those that participate so each person that puts their name in gets a gift. Mother n law said no. Hubby said we can all buy for his mom and she doesn’t have to worry about buying gifts for anyone but it was still a no, so we buy for 16 people.

DD22 is an only child but never has one with an expensive Xmas wish list. She’s been non stop subbing at one site (resident sub) since August and her paychecks are pretty good. She makes more than I do and her last check was more than hubbys ( she got a raise plus retro pay)lol!

I usually buy her couple small things, socks, pajamas,gift cards, money and whatever is on her list. This year the only thing she asked for was Tree Hut body scrub from Ulta $8.99 each. I’m going to get her gift cards to Dollar tree and Target because she loves going there to buy classroom stuff.

Hubby usually picks a few things from Home Depot but said he. An buy it himself. I usually ask him for pajamas and socks and I just ordered myself some lol! I guess we cut back lol! I’m going just transfer my Xmas money into my emergency fund. Once I grandkids it will be a different story! I’ll be $$$$$

 

[dreamin_disney]

double post sorry

 

[Disneybuckeye]

No. Probably will spend more are I like buying gifts.

 

[georgina]

Georgina, I feel the same way. I know our stress level is going way down this year!

My kids are all adults and don't want or need things. (Yay!) My 26 year old DD works for a software company that went public a year ago and on paper she is worth as much as her parents. DS (age 29) wants nothing. I will pay for their flights home for Christmas. We are in a new house in a new city since they were home 2 years ago, but really for us the holidays are about gathering as a family. There is a grandchild on the way so that may change things a bit, but I really don't want to encourage excessive consumerism. I am helping with a baby shower for oldest DD (31), along with a friend. That is enough!

 

[LovesTimone]

About 15 years ago we cut out all the, Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, our Brother's, SiL, niece and nephews...

We did buy for my MIL when she was still with us.. We buy for my parents thankfully I still have them... We buy for our DD, SiL and grandson, and my DH's one brother with some special needs... and sometimes my very good girl friends we might exchange something small...
DH and I do little gifts, and pick somewhere to go... and that's it...

I cut back several years ago, now everyone gets a Christmas bag, a Box and a Stocking to open, for the adults... Now our grandson on the other hand is different, he gets quite bit of stuff, Legos are pretty pricey for sure..... My family loves loves loves their stockings, finding good small and useful items is always challenging... I have been gathering these up for about 4 months maybe a bit longer..

I really make use of my Coupons, Store loyalty rewards, things like Kohls's cash and coupons, Ulta points, or Old Navy dollars, JoAnn's coupons... If you plan you can get some pretty good deals and savings.. "Retail me not" is always a good source for coupons...