It is going to get worse and worse. If the big 3 fall? You can expect the nation to fall. Bank Of America is going to lay off 35,000 workers in the next three years. That is way too many workers to absorb into new jobs. We are doing without so our child can have a nice Xmas. I spent way too much and yes, the mortgage and car payment will not be paid this month, but this is the scarifice I am making to ensure ours has a Merry Xmas this month.

jns131 Dec. 13, 2008 at 1:52 PM

Honestly I would have to say no, I am not depressed about money this Christmas.  Each of our children will be recieving a couple of gifts that they will enjoy and we will be eating a nice holiday meal together and spending the day as a family.  We can not afford anything elaborate, and I refuse to use credit cards to finance the holidays (they are for emergencies only as far as I am concerned!) but we will enjoy ourselves none the less! 

There will come  a time in our life when we have more disposable income.  Once our kids are older and I go back to work.  For now we will just tighten our belts and make the best of it!

mum2gr8byz Dec. 13, 2008 at 1:58 PM

I am a little saddened by the holidays this year. We just bought our first house right before everything started going haywire and now we are finding ourselves behind on everything. But they have two gifts each and we have rustled up enough to bring our family dog home to live with us at our new place so I think they will be pleased with it. I like to think things will get better for us all if we just think with our heads and keep our hopes up.

brolyx429 Dec. 13, 2008 at 2:27 PM

I refuse to fall behind on needs (housing, utilties etc) to pay for wants.

Mom2jngnc Dec. 13, 2008 at 2:32 PM

Maybe it is not for everyone or even the right thing to do.  My family comes first my bills can wait.  They will have a Merry Christmas.  As well as know the true meaning of Christmas.

sandy39 Dec. 13, 2008 at 3:01 PM

With this extreme tight economy its hard not to think of the times we used to have with a small amount of expendable money. I'm one that truly hates the fact that society has taken Christmas out of complete context by making it a "spending" holiday. Christmas used to be celebrated with the joy of family and making gifts for one another; not buying until we go broke.We do put to much importance on having "things" and "keeping up with the Jones'" when all in one swoop it can all be taken away from mother nature as we've seen.  Personally I've been doing a lot of appreciation of what I have and not stress over what I may not.  I think its extremely important to teach your kids moderation at an early age and to appreciate what they have. I'm also aware of "ridicule" from other kids if they don't have what is "in". I lived it as an only child.  

I totally agree with "mum2gr8byz" and her comment about the holidays. Reading her response brought me even further back to reality---

take care all

DragonsAngel71 Dec. 13, 2008 at 3:56 PM

no its not at all depressing I sell avon and you can really tell that there is a differrence in last year sales and this years. there is still alot of sales just not as much. but its a great way to make extra mad money for myself. i am a stay at home mom so it keeops me busy so i dont go insane either.

mommyand3boys Dec. 13, 2008 at 4:02 PM

I was watching Little House on the Prariie yesterday and was struck how excited the kids were to get tin cups, oranges and candy. It was such a huge treat for them. Maybe we have overdone Christmas way too far and need to get back to basic things. I'm not saying no gifts, I'm saying we need to simplify.

SophiaofLight Dec. 13, 2008 at 4:29 PM

I grew up on gifts of thrift store clothes and homemade things. Some of those Christmas's where we had nothing were the best Ive ever had. We always went caroling and mom would make us treats. I think we spent more time as  family when we had nothing then when we had flashy toys to play with. One year my mom made us tins of fudge for Christmas. Idont remember resenting her for that. I thought it was great. She even personalized them for us with different ingredients. Christmas isnt about money. Its about love.

rena_goldmoon Dec. 13, 2008 at 4:41 PM

Sometimes I feel a little bad about not being able to get my kids everything that they want, but then I think about whats more important. We need a roof over our head and food to eat. I'm not going to risk losing those things for a few toys that are going to be forgotten. Being together as a family. I want to teach my children that presents arent everything.

mommie020308 Dec. 13, 2008 at 4:44 PM