Cutting Costs during the Holidays

We're just buying presents for my son, and some things that we've saved for at that, because we do NOT use credit cards.

For my family, we're buying some simple things, like a gift basket they can share.

For hubby and I, nothing.  We'll probably go out to dinner together, but that'll be it.

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                      Yep we are cutting way back. I feel like we don't need to explain the inlaws and my family talk alot about the economy and spending. Everyone understands.

We are cutting way back also. My husband lost his job of fifteen years in February, and ever since, we have been struggling, so if we do anything for Christmas, we will bake and Celebrate Family, no gifts, too many kiddos, lol.

It's a very expensive month in my family.  I have birthdays too, including my granddaughter's first birthday.  I have told my children that we are cutting down this year, and not to expect what they received in the past.  And, that my granddaughter now comes first :-)..  My husband and I are not giving each other as much to make up for some of the money shortage.  We do, though, put money away every month during the year for Christmas time.  This has allowed us to be able to not charge anything.  I've also cut the amount I used to spend on everyone.

Thankfully our kids have very generous grandparents that make things alot easier for us. We don't use credit cards so if we don't have the cash we don't buy it.

Quoting TuckyDorrells:

Thankfully our kids have very generous grandparents that make things alot easier for us. We don't use credit cards so if we don't have the cash we don't buy it.

NO CREDIT CARDS!!!! Are you a Dave Ramsey fan by any chance??

i like that idea!!

Quoting RanaAurora:

We're just buying presents for my son, and some things that we've saved for at that, because we do NOT use credit cards.

For my family, we're buying some simple things, like a gift basket they can share.

For hubby and I, nothing.  We'll probably go out to dinner together, but that'll be it.

me and my husband dont buy gifts for each other for Christmas, and birthdays and anniversary, usually we do not. we use our tax return money each year as our "birthday-christmas-anniversary" gift. like last year we bought our first computer. i dont buy for family, have not been really bale to afford gifts for everyone. on my moms side we all draw names...everyone that has graduated HS goes in the adult draw and we buy one gift for who we draw, its a $30 limit. all the kids go in a draw together and their gift limit is $20 i think.

I think the dollar tree is a great place to shop for gift baskets and young kids, like 6 and under. I also birthday shop for little kids there.

This year my children (and I supervising) have a job pet sitting and they each make $20 a week so they have $$ saved up since I don't allow them to spend any on themselves after Oct.  They will be buying gifts with THEIR own money for the first time ever. 

But the major thing we do to help cut cost is something we started 3 years ago.  Money was very tight and I was also getting sick of the "I want...." every time a commercial came on tv.  We decided to do "Jesus gifts"  thought being Baby Jesus got 3 gifts that's what our kids would get.

Gold - the ONE gift they really want usually a 'bigger' item this year they each want a bike

Myrrh- is the practical gift - usually clothing

Frankincense - a medium gift someting 'small' they want

Santa will bring 1 gift per child or for the family to share.... and that is all the kids get

It has saved us $$$ because they pick the 1 thing they want and we can save for it, I shop for sales for the clothing, and Black friday usually helps us with the others...

We are defiantely cutting costs this holiday season on gifts.  We are only buying for the kids in the family and making alot of crafts, ornaments, foods, etc for other family and friends.  We told all our family we can only buy for the kids and everyone is okay with it.  I have made 3 no-sew fleece blankets, handprint ornaments and salt dough ornaments. We would be in debt if we bought for everyone, so we can't do it this year.