Holiday Blog

By Stacey

November 25, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

Things have been tight in my family for the past few years but this year is even tighter. About five years ago we tried pulling names among the adults (so we would have something under the tree) but that fell through because two people did not get a gift for the name they chose. In the last few years we only bought gifts for the children and my MIL. This year we have decided to only exchange gifts within our own households (not with the nieces and nephews). My MIL has been telling us for years that she really doesn’t need anything and since we can’t afford to send her on a 10 day Alaskan Cruise, she said she doesn’t really want anything either. :-D I think the adults have truly learned that the blessing of being together, having a roof over our heads and enough to eat is a gift that so many others will be grateful to have.

As far as the kids are concerned, I’ve explained to my son throughout the year that we don’t have as money as we used to spend on extras. This will probably be his last year to believe in Santa Claus so we had hope to make it really special. A couple of years ago he asked why some kids didn’t get any/many presents even though they were really good. We told him that parents have to pay Santa for the gifts and some parents are able to pay him more than others. Even though he never got everything on his list, this year his will be trimmed tremendously because the things he wants are more expensive!

By Clayton Resident

November 26, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

We decided not to exchange gifts this year at all. Money is very tight. I have actually shortened my gift giving list a little more yearly for the past 5-6 years or so. But this year its gonna be nonexistent.

I “might” buy gifts for a few kids I know, but we can’t do the adults this year. I have a few friends that I still need to explain that to.

The one good thing about all this is its a true reminder of what this season is really about, not spending all your money but JESUS is the REASON for the SEASON!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

By Old School

November 26, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

We’ve had our shopping done for months, not because I’m in anyway organized but things have been tight for some time and we decided to spread our shopping out in addition to paying cash for fewer gifts. We put a lot of thought into our selections.

But the grand prize for Christmas savings goes to my husband. In ‘72 he was a first year elementary teacher. One of the gifts he received was a bottle of “Devil’s Potion” aftershave. He regifted it to his brother and that started a ridiculous tradition. The aftershave has been disguised in fireplace tools, camping gear, Whoppers, you name it but it gets gifted every year. Back and forth all those 35? years and somehow neither guy has lost it, none of the liquid has evaporated, and even the box is in pretty good shape. It doesn’t smell half bad either!

Top that!

By lovelyliz

November 26, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

With the new job that pays significantly less and all that goes with it, cutting back at Christmas isn’t a choice, but that’s not a bad thing.

I finally have the will to tell those in my gift giving circle that I am sticking to immediate family. Don’t feel bad for them, because they are the ones who have been giving out thoughtless cheap, the cheaper the better, gifts mainly becuase exchanging gifts is the thing to do. I told them to say a prayer for me. Nothing material for those who want nothing but the material.

My sister who has been divorced for two years finally stopped buying the gifts her daughter is supposed to exchange with her father’s side of the family. That is Daddy’s job.

As for family, I am buying fewer gifts but ones that are more meaningful. You can spend a decent amount getting one nice gift and still spend less than on several of the lesser significant ones.

By Texas Pete

November 26, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

Since getting herpes when I was a teanager, I have been giving the gift that keeps on giving to everyone I can. Merry Christmas everyone.

By MrLiberty

November 26, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this

Given that the new administration is full of all the people who are directly and indirectly responsible for the current economic crisis in this country, and given that the new messiah’s economic plan involves taking all the money away from everyone that earned it and giving it away to everyone that didn’t, I think that cutting back and burying everything you’ve got might be the smart move this holiday season.

Ho Ho Ho. Suckers. You’re gonna get the government your voted for alright. See you in the soup lines. And by the way, anyone who has ever read my stuff knows I didn’t support McCain either.

Supporting Ron Paul means always being able to say “I told you so!”

By Jana

November 26, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

Definitely spending less this Christmas. Never cared for the gift exchange at work b/c someone always gets shafted with an awful gift. Will skip that this year for sure. A few gifts to close family and a big I love you to everyone else.

By Mike D

November 26, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this

I agree with Texas Pete.

I’m going to all of the females I can, as case of crabs for Christmas

By Terri

November 26, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

I’m going to live within my means. If I don’t have cash, I’m not buying anything. Looks like everyone in the family will be getting $5 gift cards from Wally World.

By Kim

November 26, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

One thing our family and my job both do is play the “pink elephant / chinese gift-exchange” game (I think that’s what it’s called, anyways). If everyone brings a $5 or $10 gift, especially if it’s a gag gift, it is fun, and inspires togetherness, you’re not out a lot of money, and it solves a lot of problems about what to buy for someone. Heck, a clearance DVD from Wally world or a water pistol are great for this game!

As for specifically buying gifts, we’ve been making it all about the kids for years. I buy for my son and my two nephews. We are cutting back this year, though.

Old School - The cologne bottle re-gift sounds hilarious!

By Turbot

November 27, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this

I was an ornery child, so I often got only a piece of coal for Xmas. I used to think that was a bad thing. I’d love a piece of coal now. Have you priced coal lately?

Also gone forever is many of our family traditions during the holidays. They’re simply too expensive. Foodfights? Forget it. Fortune wasted. Putting saran wrap across the toilet? Who can afford saran wrap or the disinfectant after all the hijinx and grins are over? Leaving Santa milk and cookies? Hell, if I cant afford coal, I cant afford milk and cookies. or carrots for those stupid reindeers.

We used to string up xmas lights all over the house, like Chevy Chase, and laugh at the electric bill in january. Now we simply trick the neighbor’s special needs child to wave his hands in front of our porch light to simulate blinking christmas lights. Oh, the winter wonderland!

Naw, it’s never gonna be the same, people. There was a song in the fifties called, “All I want for Xmas is my two front teeth.” You may as well want a Jaguar for Xmas. The cost of two front teeth in today’s market? Forgetaboutit.

Sex is even cheated at Xmas in our house. We cant afford mistletoe, so there’s no kissing. Xmas is going to be rotten, really rotten, this year, I guess we’ll just sit around and enjoy all the visions of sugar plums (that we aint eatin) dancin’ around in our heads. “Dancing with the Sugar Plums”. That’s not just funny, that sounds like a good idear!

By clyde

November 27, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this

When the retailer finally closes his till on Christmas Eve and tallies his final take,my money will not be there.I have already spent all I’m going to spend this Christmas and that wasn’t much.I have no intentions of going to any store except a grocery store for a long,long time.

My wife and I both have birthdays this month and we’re not even going to do anything except wish each other a happy birthday.

We normally put up a Christmas village and outside lights and a tree.Not this year.None of the above.It will all remain packed away.Charities?No donations.Food bank?Everything we buy wil be coming home.Visiting relatives?No.Both directions.

This will work,AND NEXT YEAR IT WILL BE EVEN EASIER.

By Jill

November 27, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

I think we have been given an opportunity to learn what christmas is about. Our family started cutting back many years ago. Last year we started a new tradition. I bought little gifts, silly sliippers, special hand cream, CD’s wrapped them all in the same paper and put them in a large basket. We then played bingo and the winner of each game would then chose there gift. Of course there was also trading, bargaining and lots of laughs. This year everyone wants to just contribute to the “basket” and not even exchange presents. Yes we have had job loss this year, we are adjusting to one income, we have had to make sacrifices, but I try to remember the spirit of the season which is within each one of us and is totally free to give.

By Robyn

November 27, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

I usually only get gifts for a couple of my friends’ kids for Christmas. For everyone else, I bake cookies! I hand them out at work and make a big plate to bring to my family celebration. It’s a lot of work, but it’s less expensive and everyone loves them. :)

By Cookies?

November 27, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Robyn bakes Cookies? Robyn, do you have an older sister for me? I’m only 57, and only 80lbs overweight, and I have a part time job cleaning bathrooms in a grocery store. I love cookies. Is your older sister single? I’m so lonely. and you know, I love cookies, and everything, so….my phone number is available, well, I dont really own a phone, but there is this public phone by the bus station where I hang out, I mean, I wouldn’t mind giving it out, well, I dont just hang out at the bus station, I mean I bowl, well, I hang out at the bowling alley, but I’ve never really bowled, but I do love cookies…..Think your sister would like me? Does she bake cookies, too?

I love cookies. That’s all I’m saying, but no, you’re probably like, saying, “who is this mutant loser?”

Well fine. Forget it then. I wouldn’t date your sister if she were Gov. Palin.

So there.

By Ana

November 27, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

This year, i will be cutting on my spending. I got my hours cut at work. I am doing a secret santa drawing with my family, one with my friends, and one with my coworkers so now i only have to worry about 3 presents and everyone gets something. The cookie idea is very good! since i love to bake i might do the same thing :)

By 30YearsIn

November 27, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

Old School, As a 32 year teacher, I love your story about the re-gifting of the after shave. Ya gotta’ love the gifts some of the darlings give at holiday time. Bless their little hearts, sometimes those awful gifts from particular kids are the most special. My favorite was received a few years ago; a note from one of my third graders thanking me for the gift of reading. She said being in my class had given her a love of reading that she did not have before. I still have that note and it means the world to me!

By sT. dICK

November 28, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this

Spending???

SPENDING???????!!!

BWWAAAHHHH!! (ROFLMAO)

By Yule Fool

November 28, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this

My wife always spends too much at Xmas, no matter how many foots I put down. I can do the stomp about “no more than a thousand bucks” all I want, and come january, when I total it all up, we’ve spent five or six grand on nonsense and junk. My wife is a spend thrift from hell. She buys food she has no intention of eating. She buys food that you cant eat. Our pantry right now has these items: can of beets. can of artichoke hearts. can of kidney beans. can of mexican picante salsa, can of yams. Do you see what I say to you this day? Not one can of Beefaroni. She’s nuts. Oh, and seventeen cans of fancy feast for her stinking cat. I hate that cat. And I’m gonna git ‘im. I’ve got mouse traps set all over the house. I put little phony mice stuffed with catnip where the cheese should go…..

By GiveMeDeath

November 28, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this

Dear Mr.Liberty

Supporting Ron Paul means always being able to say “I told you so!”

No…supporting Ron Paul means your little stupid “protest vote” was ill placed are you are a loser. Ron who?? What an idiot. Newsflash Bozo, you too are getting the same government, which you did not vote for. And I’m sure it’ll be in much better hands than it would be in wacko Ron Paul’s hands.

Let’s see how your little jollies you get off of your “I told you so” carries you through this mess, which by the way has nothing to do with Obama or his new administration. Just like the nuts on the (only partly insane) “right”, you choose to ignore the previous 8 years and try to jump all the way back to Clinton to place blame. What an @$$hol3 you are.

By sT. dICK

November 28, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this

Sounds like you’re household is a little bourgeios Yule Fool.

You sure you’re not married to one of the “Housewives of Atlanta”??

As far putting your foot down…if you take that foot and (instead of putting it “down”) put it somewhere else, your wife will get the message. Of course I mean proverbially, so don’t get too bent outta shape.

I’m just saying..reclaim your manhood. If you have 5 or 6 grand to blow at Christmas, you’re obviously raking in some dough. Unless of course the wife is the real muck-a-muck in the house. If that’s the case, I guess you just have to sit down and STFU.

By Yule Fool

November 28, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

No, we dont have five or six grand to blow at Xmas, and that’s the point. My wife spends every penny that we get our hands on at christmas…Every single penny….so we go one month behind in our bills, except for healthcare which is an autodeduct. Not bourgoise, or vichysoise, or borche, or nuthin, and you sir, should Shut…tf….UP!

BTW: do you think that the housewives of atlanta have an older sister for me? I’m 57, only 80 pounds overweight, maybe a little dandruff, BO, and halitosis, and I snore, but I’m good in bed, and I can hold me liquor…..and I love cuddling, hugs, snuggles, boxes of chocolate, walks to the fridge, (holding hands), and I make a living converting beer hats to bong hats, which are illegal in 37 states, but on the internet, whose to say who’s doing what to whom about which, if’n you know what I say to you this day?

moron.

By sT. dICK

November 28, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Wow Yule Fool…I guess you failed to detect the sarcastic humor I was attempting to inject into he situation. But then again maybe you did.

But reading that you don’t even HAVE the money to spend at Christmas, I definitely think you should reconsider my proverbial suggestion and implement it literally. I think your denial describes EXACTLY what I described, except it is of the worse type - that of being a “pretender”. If you don’t have it like that, don’t spend it like that. But I guess she’s just feeding the monster. Enjoy the recession!

By MrLiberty

November 28, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Let’s see, a return to constitutional government, a non-interventionist foreign policy, an end to the income tax, an end to the federal reserve and a return to a gold standard, the restoration of the bill of rights, an end to federal government involvement in all unconstitutional activities, a balanced budget, an end to corporate welfare, an end to the war on drugs, a restoration of private property rights and the list goes on. Sounds pretty horrible to me. What ever possessed me to support a candidate with that kind of platform?

I don’t remember saying anything nice about this current administration, nor should anything nice be said. Frankly this country has been on a downhill slide away from its founding priciples ever since it was founded, but the 20th century certainly saw some fundamental changes for the worse.

What’s wacko is not looking objectively at the real problems we are facing and the true root cause - government.

Everyone should do themselves a favor this holiday season and spend a few dollars on books to educate yourself about economics and government. Check out www.mises.org for the best, most accurate books by folks with no personal interest in the matter other than preserving their own liberty and property.

Merry Xmas.

By Mom of 4

November 28, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

Wow. Things sure did get off subject very quickly! Back to the matter at hand; “How has the economy affected your holiday spending? Are you spending less or not giving gifts at all? Or, are you a creative sort and plan to make your holiday gifts?”

1: Thankfully, the economy hasn’t hit our family as hard as it has many others. We are thankful and give credit where credit is due (Thank you, God!). However, our holiday spending will be cut back even more than normal this year; we are only buying for the children and our parents. THAT’S IT! 2: Yes, we will be spending less. We have created a budget and are working hard to stick to it. We have a set amount for each person. 3: Although I’m creative and would truly love to make gifts, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day!

Enough with all the politial & economical talk and sarcasm, please? Let’s remember the true reason for the season; Jesus Christ! If you aren’t a Christian (that’s your choice and I respect it), then please just enjoy the sentiment of the season! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

By Nickie

November 28, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

My shopping is done! I won’t be contributing to the “Christmas shopping season” take at any store. The economy has not hit us hard but I have always shopped all year whenever I see something that I think a particular family member would like. I usually find bargains or really special, personal gifts that way especially when we travel. Since I am a fairly accomplished needle worker I make very special personalized gifts for different family members each year. They may be quilts, or ornaments or a fancy Christmas stocking for each new member of the family by birth or marriage. It makes for a fun Christmas and no stress this coming month.

By Jen

November 28, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

We have lived on one income for the last 6 years and I was a sahm. Now I work and we are enjoying the extra income. We live in a very modest affordable house with a fixed apr, so that isn’t a problem for us. I will buy for my children, and family. My husband wants the millenium falcon from star wars and I plan to get it for him, even though I think it’s kinda silly he wants a toy. We feel very thankful for our secure jobs and we plan to donate to those in need this year. I started my shopping in October so I can spread it out. I definitely think it’s wise to start buying in summer or fall to spread out the expense, and especially lower the stress so you can enjoy yourself better in December.

By Mort Merkel

November 28, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

We had been robbing our savings for two years and this week our property taxes finally took us to zero. No Christmas this year.

By Some Other Mike

November 28, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

Last Christmas’ shopping list featured Wii and XBox, and this Christmas’ list features dreidel.

Big deal.

By mystery poster

December 1, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this

I have a Christmas Club through my credit union. They take a certain amount out of my paycheck every month. Since I never see it I don’t miss it. Then, I have the money to pay for Christmas. I don’t hear much about Christmas Clubs anymore, but it’s a great idea.

I’ve also heard that Layaway is back, although I probably won’t use it since I have the Christmas club.