[mondk]

My mom told me tonight she feels we (our little family) shouldn't do Christmas because we are oftentimes over our monthly budget, esp. where groceries are concerned. She said Joshie would never know and we'd just have to tell Brad we don't have enough money.

I think that's totally insane! Even if I had to shop at the dollar store to give my kids Christmas I would.

Plus, I just started a new job and they are paying me close to $20/hr. which gives us an extra $600/mo. (I only work every other weekend).

Are any of you considering doing this right now with the economy and all?

Blessings, Michelle

[melissa_bear003]

Nope. We've had years incredibly horribly tight...dh lost his job Dec 17th one year but we still do Christmas. Always. Dh and I simply go without, and the kids get little things.

I've started Christmas shopping year round now. It seems every Christmas, something blows up on us financially, and we're left hooped. So far, I have 2 Little People playsets, and several things for dh. I shop the sales, and stash it in my closet.

[startedover]

My oldest sister wanted to do the same. She and my younger sister have a much bigger yearly salary than my husband and me (just not as happy lol). Six figures and beyond. They both started "squaking " about the cost of Christmas and how we shouldn't do gifts. I am always the one wanting to. We are fine finacially and we by like 40 gifts on my husband side. (this conversation to place sitting around the open hole in their yard for their 35,000 pool. However, I didn't battle this year. (they want to quit buying every year). But I did suggest that everyone bring a gift from their home. Something new or like new they never got around to using. They loved the idea. Of course I thought we should stay withing a value range like $30 to $50 dollars (probably wouldn't get $5 at a yard sale) and they disagreed with that. Anything from $1 . and up. I guess I will get someones nail polish color they didn't like.

[tanmansmom]

Several years ago we started doing "white elephant" gifts with my dad's family. It was a hoot. We started looking year round to find the funniest gifts possible and everyone just brought one gift. The kids still drew names and did the regular gift giving, but the adults had a blast with the funny, funny stuff we gave each year. There is a certain pink poodle that makes the rounds each year and then has to be displayed by the receiver throughout the year.

[Linny]

I'll continue to say that Christmas has gotten far out of hand. I've said that for years----and years. It does bother me that my kids have a ton of stuff they don't even play with; enough that I've warned there'll be no toys this year, without them getting rid of some of the 'stuff' they already have. Further, I agree that Christmas should always be celebrated...but the manner in which it's done might need to be changed?
We've always refused to go into debt for Christmas. It's just not in our vocabulary; but then again, we refuse to purchase the newest, brightest and 'best-est' item known to man that keeps changing year after year! LOLOL

I'll say this, one year, one of our little ones was born and we got the call. (December) THAT was one of the best Christmas' ever; and honestly, I'd love to have a repeat of one similar! Gifts were scarce, but the trip, friends and family around when we drove to pick him up, was absolutely indescribable. Can't get any better than that!

Sincerely,

Linny

[Ann07]

We always have Christmas. Christmas is such a special time and I love giving gifts. We usually save up for Christmas or buy things throughout the year(this is hard because I end up giving the gifts early). We are lucky though, my DH has a really good job, so we will get a christmas bonus and we can cash in any sick days that he may not have used throughout the year.

To save money for christmas you could try buying your gifts online.....such as ebay. Things are usually cheaper rather than going to an actual store, however you have shipping to deal with. I love to shop at outlet stores. The childrensplace.com is always great for deals, its clothes, but good deals, and they usually have free shipping. You never know what you will find!

[MamaS]

The "ton of presents" for kids at Christmas always bothered me too, so when my girls were small we read the story of the Nativity and I pointed out that Jesus got three presents and that is how many Santa Claus would bring them. I am now telling my son the same thing.
As to the cost, we are hurting this year. I am on a fixed income, one daughter is on minimum wage and the other is owed several months of back pay which she will most likely never collect. We have four birthdays and an anniversary that fall between Thanksgiving and Christmas and we are cutting way back. No parties, just family dinners at home. Practical gifts like pre-paid phone cards, gas cards, etc. Fortunately, the adults are old enough to understand and the children are too young to know the difference.
I hope next year is better for all of you and all of us!

[EZ2Luv]

There are certainly ways to do Christmas with out going overboard elaborate. Even though DH and I are good financially right now I simply refuse to go overboard for one day out of a year that has lost it's true meaning from all the commercialism over the years.
Insted of buying high priced gifts we will do hand prints and pictures for the Aunts, Uncles and GrandParents along with cookies that the kids help make.
Since I do crochet (thanks to my Sweet Momma) the neices and nephews get new scarfs and hats. I will make an afghan for each family as a main gift from our family..
My kids will each get one fun gift and things that they need like underwear, clothes ect. DH will usually get one thing for the family for example a camera. The way I see it is while it is fun to see the little ones all excited anticipating Christmas morning, the main thing is being able to enjoy our family time and the main message of Christmas should be practiced all year long.
A stocking can be filled with stuff from the dollar store or stuff that was on clearance after the fact, for example I was able to buy some great school supplies about a month ago at Rite Aid for short money on clearance. Great Crayola coloring sets and books.

Growing us Chrsitmas was always great in our house. Yes we got lots of toys because my Dad oenwd a toy store but the thing was to clear out all our youys that we already had by donation them. As we got older my Dad realize that there was no need of all the tos all at once so he started to limit things abd teach us to give to thers was the greatest gift of a1ll.
It really does not take much to get babies and smaller kids all excited so breaking the bank is not needed.
My Dad loved us so much I think in his mind he though by showering us with every new toy imaginable was the thing to do..

I remember the year of teh Rockem Sockem Robots being the turning point when there were so many toys we didn't know where to being. My parents were more excited then we were and while my Dad was trying to put this fancy Lionel train togeth, my brother was happily content playing with a 49 cent bag of green plastic toy soilders and me with my 69 cent cut out dolls.
After that Christmas changed and actually got much better with less.
I know this post got lengthy, but my whole point is Christmas is what you make it and it is nver too early to let the children know the true meaning of Christmas is not Baby this or that, Making happy memories of Christmas shouldn't have to put anyone in debt.

EZ

[Fran27]

I just got used toys... from moms of multiple club sale, ebay and craigslist. Spent maybe $200 for Christmas and their birthdays, but I'm set until then (and I admit, it's a lot of toys). Next year I'll start getting them new toys though so it will be just a few for each.

[lovemy2boys]

We have Christmas, plus both boys b-days in December...and my DH hurt his back and is off work...

So money is definately tight - I mean, I only work 3 days a week...ugh!

But we will definately have Christmas/Birthdays. As a child, no matter what was going on in our lives, we always had those to look forward to. They are my best memories...holidays mean so much to me...

Obviously we can't go overboard this year - but I already told the boys, who still believe in Santa, that they will be getting less this year because so many new babies were born that Santa has to spread the joy...and that Jesus would want them to share with other kids.

They seem ok with this.

[SamIAm2]

We're doing Christmas too.....it's my favorite time of year! But I do plan to cut back on the amount of and price of gifts.

[dawnrenee58]

Originally Posted by tanmansmom

Several years ago we started doing "white elephant" gifts with my dad's family. It was a hoot. We started looking year round to find the funniest gifts possible and everyone just brought one gift. The kids still drew names and did the regular gift giving, but the adults had a blast with the funny, funny stuff we gave each year. There is a certain pink poodle that makes the rounds each year and then has to be displayed by the receiver throughout the year.

Ok, so my husband's family does this also. The first year they did it, my husband bought the biggest bra he could find (seriously, it was ENORMOUS!) and a pair of XS g-strings. It now also makes the rounds every year. It is so much fun, and no one minds going home with the bra and undies!!!

[finallyamom0310]

Christmas is very expensive for us as we have a ton of neices and nephews. We as a family decided last year that other than parents, we are only buying for neices and nephews. We used to draw names and buy for adults too but too much. This year is especially tight with having a teen that wants things starting at $500 KWIM? Anyway, we did decide to go a bit easier on gifts for DD. She already has a ton and usually doesn't make it past the 5th gift anyway. And we did set a price limit on gifts to each other.

NO way am I skipping on christmas altogether though.

[joskids]

It's going to be lean this year. DH and I never buy for each other. I know, without a doubt, every single day of our life together, is a gift. As for the kids, some of it can come second-hand if it's still in perfect shape (as much of it is). They don't play with much of what they have. Books are outstanding Christmas gifts that don't have to cost a fortune and younger children can easily be satisfied with a few small gifts. The older ones are tougher but, still, we want our children to understand that Christmas isn't about gifts, it's about family/friends and counting your blessings and helping others, wherever possible. We also have 7 grandchildren to buy for. I'm telling both my parents and my husband's mother NOT to buy for our children. They are retired, have lost money recently in the stock market, it's ridiculous that they would spend money on our children just because it's Christmas. It's just got to end. there's much we can do as a family (cutting down a Christmas tree, decorating it together, baking cookies and playing together) that no gift in the world can make up for.

[aclee]

Originally Posted by MamaS

The "ton of presents" for kids at Christmas always bothered me too, so when my girls were small we read the story of the Nativity and I pointed out that Jesus got three presents and that is how many Santa Claus would bring them. I am now telling my son the same thing.
As to the cost, we are hurting this year. I am on a fixed income, one daughter is on minimum wage and the other is owed several months of back pay which she will most likely never collect. We have four birthdays and an anniversary that fall between Thanksgiving and Christmas and we are cutting way back. No parties, just family dinners at home. Practical gifts like pre-paid phone cards, gas cards, etc. Fortunately, the adults are old enough to understand and the children are too young to know the difference.
I hope next year is better for all of you and all of us!

We were going to do the three gifts rule too, but instead we did the 4 gift rhyme. Cause Jesus got some pretty expensive stuff for his 3 gifts, and as kids get older, I've known some to point that out (my cousins!) so we do:
Something you want-he's getting a plush ride on rocker that looks like a snail, which I picked up at the nearly stolen price of $20 (they are usually 80-125)
Something you need-he's getting some hair stuff that I've wanted to try on him but that was a little pricey, so I waited on it. It's $15
Something to wear-he's getting two pairs of PJ's (cause he needs them) They were 2 for $12
Something to Read-We're going to get him a couple little board books. Should be about $10

Our grand total for our sons very first Christmas...less than $60. He'll get stuff from Aunts and Grandparents too though...I think as he gets older the categories will have a $25 limit, so we're spending $100 or less on him (and other kids...lol) each for Christmas...