Christmas: A Financial Burden

diamondgirly Posted: Nov 26, 2002 11:57 PM

Christmas: A Financial Burden

I used to love Christmas, but lately with all our other planning expenses, I feel like Christmas has gotten way too commercial and everyone has forgotton the real meaning. I am a very generous person but I unfortunately have to cut corners this year! My fiancee and I explained to everyone that things are tight this year but for some reason I feel guilty not going all out like in years past! What are you girls doing for holiday presents? How are you budgeting? Any nice inexpensive gift ideas for your family/parents??

EvenEdan Posted: Nov 27, 2002 12:17 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

I just got engaged and I am thrilled but I can't help but feel that it is going to put a major damper on Christmas! I am overly generous with my family only because I really love Christmas and love buying great gifts. My nieces and nephews are in for a rude awakening. I may lose my status as 'coolest aunt ever.'

lilmrs Posted: Nov 27, 2002 12:23 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

I understand, I having been wondering what to do as well!

tarakinspa Posted: Nov 27, 2002 12:33 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

Funny i was thinking oh no big deal this year for christmas no gifts or just a something small and now that it is almost here I feel so guilty i dont know if I can go through with it. I think it is the thought that counts so i do want to do something but i totally hear ya

christy Posted: Nov 27, 2002 06:51 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

I have no idea what to do yet, I am really stressed about it actually!

jennbaby Posted: Nov 27, 2002 07:16 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

We are buying very small gifts. We just can't afford to do what we usually do, and our families understand.

wacky Posted: Nov 27, 2002 07:27 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

We are just doing kids this year. I explained to everyone that its just not possible. I cant think of spending anymore $$. Everyone seemed, like they were waitng for me to say that, which made it easier.

IrishTracy Posted: Nov 27, 2002 08:03 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

Well I started shopping at the end of September so that I could do a little at a time. (being one of 6 I need to! ) But I already explained to my family that it is ging to be a cheaper Christmas. I've gotten DVD's for most people. But for the kids I tried not to skimp! My family TOTALLY understands. (As I'm sure your families will)
We still went a little overboard on our son but he was only 6 mths last Christmas. And this time he knows a little more of whats going on! YEAH!!!
Fi & I put a money limit on our gifts.

starhead Posted: Nov 27, 2002 08:13 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

Add me to the stressed list. I know everyone understands that we can't spend that much but I don't like not giving as much as I usually do.
The kids are getting one present each and w/ FH family, we picked names out of a hat so we only have to do one gift each. It should really be more about the kids anyway.
But still, it's money!! My credit card bill is not going to be pretty.

WishCandy Posted: Nov 27, 2002 08:17 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

I've been purchasing gifts since last month.... buying from online outlets, and also, hitting stores when they have major sales (like the Gap), etc. Also, you can get some pretty nice inexpensive gifts from stores like Daffys!

karen32 Posted: Nov 27, 2002 08:22 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

My and FI's families know that $$ is tight this year with the wedding next year. FI and I have capped each other's gifts at $300.

My family instituted a 'Secret Santa' 2 years ago for all the cousins, aunts & uncles, and their spouses. With spouses there were over 20 of us!! It was getting out of hand!! Instead of buying for every single cousin, you buy for whoever you draw out of the hat. Everybody still buys for all grandparents, the kids (there's only 1 at this point) and their immediate family. I figure it saves me hundreds of $$$!!

M&M2004 Posted: Nov 27, 2002 08:49 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

I've been feeling the same way. I know that my family believes that Christmas isn't about presents but I feel so bad about not buying as much as I usually do. I don't even know if I can afford small presents this year! Money is just so tight and it is giving me stomachaches. I've been working so much overtime and the money still isn't there. i don't know what to do.

Sage10.03 Posted: Nov 27, 2002 09:04 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

So glad to hear that I am not the only one who feels this way...
I have been really trying to get in the 'sprirt' but keep worrying about the $$$$
I know people will understand, but like all of you, I tend to go overboard on Christmas every year and I think my family has gotten used to that....
Oh well....

It's the thought right ladies?!?!?!

dubliner Posted: Nov 27, 2002 09:06 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

I know exactly what you mean, but fortunately a couple of years ago I stopped exchanging with the adultsin my family (we all did) and its just kids, which makes it a bit easier. This year though, my SIL picked inexpensive things off their list for us to give

Also, FH and I have a $100 limit, which makes choosing the gift really hard, but we don't have the $$

Marnles Posted: Nov 27, 2002 09:09 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

I hear ya! Try getting married two weeks before Christmas and honeymooning during Christmas!! Actually it helped out alot - we already told the family we're skipping Christmas (we won't be here), but we want to do a little thing in January...that way I can do my shopping AFTER Christmas and the wedding! But we couldn't get out of skipping Hanukkah, so I already told my family that they all get sweaters - it's all we can swing right now. I'm going to the Gap on Friday!

shamma Posted: Nov 27, 2002 09:20 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

People make it seem like the real meaning of Christmas is about giving gifts to each other. I do not feel the least bit pressured in to giving gifts. I do not ever give more than I can afford. As a matter of fact I don't think there will be any gift giving in our home this year. Do what you are comfortable with.

Happy Holidays

Licia Posted: Nov 27, 2002 09:44 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

I guess we are all in the same situation. Christmas is only for the kids this year. We simply can't afford to go all out like before. Once I start I just can't seem to stop, shopping is my obsession.

berlykim22 Posted: Nov 27, 2002 10:05 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

I Absolutely love Christmas
I decorate like crazy the whole house, buy lots of gifts Play christmas music all the time.

so this year it s going to be alittle different, especially cause all I think about is wedding, wedding, wedding.

I am cutting down on gifts by alot. I HOPE
and cutting down the decorating
just outside of house and putting tree up, this is a major thing for me, but with all i have going on and have to do I need to minimialize anything i can.

I will still always love christmas and next year it will be back to normal

Sassy Posted: Nov 27, 2002 10:12 AM

Re: Christmas: A Financial Burden

Unfortunately, with a wedding in 6 months, I just can't be generous at all this Christmas. I also usually go all out, so this definitley puts a damper on things. I've explained to all my friends and family -- simply no gifts, except for children who don't understand why you have no money, I'll get them each a small gift. And maybe for my Dad, I'll pick him up some chocolates. He's satisfied even if I get him a bag of peanuts.