Christmas Joy

5 Responses to “How does your family approach a Christmas budget?”

1. appygirl
   October 16th, 2008 at 10:35 pm

   

   i try to make something for everyone. even if it’s only a small jar of their favorite candy.
   but the rule is the kids only.

2. cheryl v
   October 20th, 2008 at 5:39 am

   

   Christmas has been blown out of perportion and it tends to be very stressful, but our family make a lot of our christmas presents ,it’s really fun.We make memory boards which are beautiful and doesnt cost that much to make,there a lot of beautiful items to make that are not very costly,It took me a while to get to doing this but I buy my christmas the week after christmas when clearance sales are low,and I buy all through the year,I make my list the day after christmas,and and all through the year I pick up a gift here and there then at christmas my shopping is done and Im not stressed out.

3. bum fluff
   October 20th, 2008 at 1:00 pm

   

   pesonally it think christmas shouldntbe about the presents, im not christian etc, but to me its about being with my family, my 2 children (well 3, as i am due with our third in november!)

   my sister makes it clear she wants everything for her 2 children, and will make it clear if she is not happy, but this year we are making a stand about it and i have told them, present each for the children and a charity gift for her, my mum and dad, and have said the same for our children, for them to bu just one present each (price range max £30 each)

   its just a money making scheme anyway, and why should people have to feel they have to buy people something because its christmas?

   Im getting tired of hearing my sister going on about, how they want that and that and that etc, its just ridiculous.

   Sorry thats my little moan, lol

   🙂

4. onepriviti
   October 22nd, 2008 at 8:44 am

   

   I have read all of the above answers, and I totally agree with each of them. Christmas buying is getting ridiculous, and leaves people feeling overly guilty or in debt for things that can really not be afforded in the first place. . . .(especially with gas prices and the economy this year!)

   I think homemade gifts are perfect, and you can practice being a wise shopper at the same time.

   Last year, I made baskets, and even that got a little out of proportion (because I had to buy the baskets!)

   This year, I am buying baskets from local thrift stores . . . picking up paints that you can get at the dollar stores for about $1 each in gold, red, green, silver . . . and then I am baking goods like cookies, candy, or breads . . . sometimes you can pick up ready made goodies at the dollar store also . . . I found some scottish shortbread for $1 per package. Keep on the lookout for scented soaps or lotions, pretty mugs, exotic teas. a pound of good coffee. . . you can find these at Big Lots, etc. Let your children help look shop for things to fill the baskets or help bake cookies! Buy green or red Saran Wrap and tie with inexpensive ribbon . . . Dollar Tree always has loads of gorgeous 2′ wire ribbon with beautiful felted Christmas print in rolls for $1.

   I think that making sure your little ones have a good Christmas should be your top priority. Explain this, if you must, to your mom and sister. (I have a feeling that they will understand.) If they still want to buy four gifts, let them. My cousin went through the same thing last year. She loves Christmas, has no children, but loves to buy for all her nieces and nephews . . . (and has a 5 figure income to do so.) Her sister insisted on drawing names for the sake of expense, which is understandable. They did this . . . but I don’t think my childless cousin enjoyed it too much. This took her enjoyment away . . . just so her sister would not feel guilty because she could not afford to buy for everyone. (They should have let the ones who had money . . . buy . . . and those who could not . . . not worry about buying.)

   You could have your mom and sister over for Christmas dinner or for a day of baking goodies. My sister-in-law and I pool our ingredients, and bake stuff to split between all of our households. . . (we each have two married sons.) We make a pot of coffee, and play Christmas music, turn on the tree lights and by the end of the day, our goodies are made, divided up, and we have spent some good quality time together.

   I have been making an attempt to keep an emphasis on having an old fashioned Christmas by doing family things. Find free seasonal events in your community . . . invite your mom and sister to go.

   My mom and only sister are deceased . . . I don’t remember what I have bought them over the years, or what they bought me . . . but I do remember the time we spent together, and the memories we made.

   I hope this helps.

5. lynnard
   October 23rd, 2008 at 12:26 pm

   

   My family cut out the adults exchanging gifts. We already have more than we need and decided to concentrate on the kids.