I've kept the gift card purchases down to a minimum. Yea!

[OceanAnnie]

It's been hard! I did go in on a gift for the teachers, so I didn't purchase a gift card outright. I've been trying to be creative and buy gifts that are practical or that I have a really good idea that people are interested in. I have 3 gifts left for family and friends. Still need a few things for the kids.

How's it going for you guys? Staying within the budget? So far so good, but we're not in the home stretch yet!

ETA- I almost bought one of those HUGE TV remotes as a gag gift for my mom and dad (but it does work!). They never can find their remote. I still may go back and get it. I need to go over what I have first.

 

[thebeesknees]

I'm glad you've been able to find stuff that fits your needs! I did get gift cards for my Mom and sister, but that is because they have both told me that they love to get them. It allows them to "splurge" on things that they normally wouldn't get for themselves, and I enjoy hearing what they picked out. For the teachers, we did homemade truffles and Bath and Bodyworks antibacterial hand gel. I figure the hand cleaner is something they can definitely use, and if they hate the scent, B&BW is great about exchanges.

 

[QVCshopper]

I bought Target gift cards for my kid's teachers and my hubbie's employees. Also, an ITunes gift card for my brother-in-law who literally has everything. But that's it.

I'm done shopping and wrapping. Now it's time to relax!

Good luck finishing up--I'm going to be staying away from stores until the after XMas sale at Target.

Oh, and I was in budget. I start shopping the sales early and take full advantage of my employee discount.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

congratulations!

We have paid cash for everything. If we can not we just do not get it, cut up all our cards 2 years ago.

I never want to see another CC!

 

[Chicago526]

I vowed to get away from gift cards...and last year I did great!!! This year I had a Christmas gift brain fart and couldn't come up with a good gift for anyone.

I do try to make sure the gift cards I get are welcome though. My favorite is a movie ticket cert along with a restaurant cert, so a couple can do dinner and a movie. Plus I volunteer to watch kids, if the couple in question has any, so they can really make it a date night.

We're doing great with the budget. My nephews only wanted board games and those are cheap, we're right on budget for the rest of the family, and DH and I decided to just buy Rock Band for Wii and that would be a gift for both of us. We aren't even doing stocking gifts. We normally spend 3x what Rock Band costs on each other, so it's a pretty big savings vs. what we usually do.

 

[OceanAnnie]

My last 3 friends and family are the hardest. I have a few ideas, brewing. No sure things. I'd like to be done in the next few days. I could use GCs as a back up, but it would be better if I could come up with a gift that is nice, but one I can find on sale.

I have found some great sales! I'm doing much better this year than last. I'm trying to keep it up! It's the last minute gifts (for me) that are real budget busters. I get in a bind and I have to have something, and I still want it to be nice.

I have gotten 2- $25 GC, restaurant and 2- $10 GC for a book store (I added the book store GC with gifts). I'd really like that to be it. Holding out.