How much does xmas cost?

[terry1156]

Re: How much does xmas cost?

The ugliest gift traditions sounds like great fun! I will have to make that suggestion to our family group this year

Re: How much does xmas cost?

We usually go overboard on Christmas spending $700+ per year (I have five kids) I try to save throughout the year-I save all of my change and this is Christmas money which is sometimes almost $200.

This year my goal is to spend less. How will I do it? Bartering!! Do you have a talent you could share? Haircutting, yard work, house cleaning, etc. - all of these services could be bartered with neighbors or friends who offer gifts or services in return. Are you crafty? Make up some crafts and barter with other crafters. Or use the crafts you make as gifts.

There are tons of ways to be frugal at Christmas but still keep the magic alive )

[globetrotter]

Re: How much does xmas cost?

My x-mas expenses are very high. I probably spend a good $1000, but I have a large family and we do a lot of party events that time of year. I'm sure that I can reduce that quite a bit with a little more organization.

[Lori63]

Re: How much does xmas cost?

We overspend-my kids don't have any grandparents and pretty much everything under the tree ends up coming from us (and Santa). We've always been able to do a big Christmas-we don't buy a whole lot any other time of the year.
Anything for hubby and I are necessities-if anything in the house falls apart after Sept. it becomes a Christmas present (this year we are getting a phone/answering machine).
I know it's basically 'emotional' spending for me-I know that spending alot doesn't make up for the kids not having extended family.

[Lori63]

Re: How much does xmas cost?

Forgot what the post was about-saving!
I belong to alot of reward programs (MyPoints, QuickRewards, etc) and use my earnings for gift certificates and use them at Christmas. I also sign up for store's websites-they really compete at Christmas and send alot of coupons.

[vendigirl]

Re: How much does xmas cost?

Jean- is the problem that your DH just doesn't want to give Christmas presents or that he feels you don't have the money to buy Christmas presents? Not wanting to give presents is an issue that you'd have to compromise on, but if it's just a money issue there are tons of things you can do. I'm sure there are some freebies that would be good. Making colouring books with pictures from the internet is easy. There are tons of crafts or other things you could make with things around the house. If you have a CD burner and thekids use the cpmouter, how about burning a CD of music or free games? Make a nice cover for it and give that as a gift?
For a little money you could chesk the Goodwill or consignment stores for toys. The dollar store usually have lots of stuff super cheap. If you can sew, you may be able to pick up some Christmas themed fabric cheaply and sew each child a pair of Christmas PJs- though you have to watch the price of fabric as sometimes buying premade PJs would be cheaper.
If it were me, honestly, I'd be writing up the cheapest food menu possible and using the spare grocery money for gifts. It would be eggs and beans with rice for us for awhile!
I hope you and your Dh can work it out. It would feel awful to not have anything for the kids on Christmas morning. {{hugs}}

[mountainmist]

Isn't it easier and much more frugal to start Christmas shopping in JANUARY, particularly for little kids - always keeping your eye out for sale priced toys, cute mittens, kewl socks...

There's a massive array of stocking stuffers that are super inexpensive if you start immediately after Christmas - and during garage sale season, if you are a careful shopper, you'll run across plenty of new in-box, still sealed toys & puzzles & look-like-new children's books.

This is tougher with teens, but not totally impossible - and besides at that age, they already presumably understand the reality of Santa...

[Ima saver]

Re: How much does xmas cost?

I use to start christmas shopping in January also. Now the grandchildren are teenagers so I just give them money. I only buy for my husband and at our age, we pretty much have everything we want, so we don't do much shopping!

[sakigt]

Re: How much does xmas cost?

I usually spend around $300 for just the gifts, but its all the hidden expenses that get me. Taking time off, extra gas used to drive to family, etc etc.

Luckily, my mom is working and my boyfriend will be visiting family so this Christmas I dont have anywhere to be. Well have our fun during Thanksgiving (Football + Turkey = happy Saki!)

My boyfriend just told me he wants a $120 shift knob for his car :P That means Ill have to refrain from buying "little stocking stuffers" I see for him, since he already went $20 over budget with 1 gift!

[kealina]

Re: How much does xmas cost?

wow... we don't spend much at all... of course that is since money is tight... we went a bit over budget for MIL at $31 simply because we had an opportunity to buy her favorite perfume which normally isn't readily available on the island (it had been years since we had the opportunity to buy it)... for everybody else we generally spend $5-15 (usually on the lower end thanks to garage sales)... we don't shop for extended family and there are no kids so that helps... we just have the two sets of parents and 4 siblings between DH and I....we also shop for a few others... DH and i each might get something little (under $5) for our best friends.... we also don't spend much on each other... maybe $20 each?... we mostly buy each other stuff we need or treat food items we want that we don't normally get... christmas is when i fill his stocking with jalepeno jelly from safeway, which luckily has gone on sale in december the past couple years...
we definately keep it under $200....

[nanamom]

Re: How much does xmas cost?

One year I bought Christmas gifts for two kids for a total of 15.00. I shopped garage sales and dollar stores. It was a tough year but we made it. I have always had my kids make or buy (depending on ages and bank accounts) something for each other. It makes Christmas more special. I remember them watching to see how the other liked the gift. When my DD was little I made her gifts that she loved. I remember one year she got a "first aid kit" that they played with for hours, cost was one old sheet that had too many holes to fit on the bed. Maybe you could make a game for each out of free materials. Or how about a costume out of old sheets or free fabric.

[Marcymox]

Re: How much does xmas cost?

I think I'd start shoping now at kids resale stores, thrift stores ect for a few things that won't matter if they are new or used. I always see sets of blocks and tinker toys, matchbox cars that I think would all be good to give "used" if they are in great condition.

I'd also look in those places for things like bathrobes, hoodie sweatshirts, and pajama pants. -if they are in great shape and you take off the tags, will the boys really notice if they are new or used??

I always find TONS of books at the thrift store in great shape I don't know if kids around here hate to read or something, but brand new books are always for sale. I've found cool ones like World record books and ripleys for older kids and great board books for ltitle kids. all at .50 cents to 1.00.

then hit the dollar store for coloring books and crayons for the little one, some play dough, army men, that sort of stuff, and for the older kids maybe some new school supplies since about January thier school supples usually need refreshing. Some new pencils, pens, notebooks.

Then, I'd negiotiate with hubby about buying just a few new things for each boy- maybe nothing extravagant like a playstaion 3, but maybe a new video game for each, or a dvd, music, cd ect. If you can buy just ONE really nice item they are asking for, and fill in with some non expensive extras it might turn out okay.

[mountainmist]

Re: How much does xmas cost?

Christmas for us this year is going to be slim. I have 4 kids and no money. Hubby says we aren't having Christmas this year, but I have to do something!!!

Christmas is such an emotional high amidst so much stress and work throughout the year. I'm just not willing to have to tell my 3 year old that there is not Santa Claus. It's just such a joyful fantasy to share with the kids until they get older. I've given up so much this year, no vacation, (not even camping) no celebration for my 40th birthday -- I'm just not up to giving up my Christmas, and all my Christmas' to come, since telling my 3 year old there is no Santa will ruin it for her, me and her baby sister (who I'm sure she'll share this tid-bit of juicy information with as soon as she's able).

I'm near tears writing this. It's just beyond depressing.

In past years I've spent about $200 total on the three kids. (It's gone up as they've gotten older and a rattle or a truck doesn't cover it anymore!!!)


-Jean

Hi Jean,

I'm seriously concerned about your predicament, it sounds like money is desperately tight and that your hubby feels very burdened.

I have no idea what the details of your financial predicament are, but I seriously advise you to immediately call up your local UNITED WAY and request that your sons be put on whatever Christmas present waiting lists they have -- in my area there are plenty of charities & churches which provide Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas baskets, toys for tots, toys for teens, winter coats & mittens, etc., etc., etc.

I'm certain that there also exist charitable organizations and churches that would sincerely like to have your family on their lists - and I'd simply do this, NOW, without discussing it with your husband first, as he "sounds" to me like he's really upset & uncomfortable.

Another thing, when you are talking to the United Way, ask them for the address to the local Food Shelf where each month you can pick up a free bag, maybe 2, of groceries.

I hope things improve for you & yours quickly.

[aurielle]

Re: How much does xmas cost?

Christmas only costs us a couple hundred bucks - DH and I will buy a few gifts for each other and we fill up a stocking for each other. I send my DD some money because that is what they need more than anything right now. DH's son is JW so we don't have to worry there.

[Snoopy2645]

Re: How much does xmas cost?

I dont exactly what I will spend but this year will be tight. I already got the girls some pjs for $3 on clearance sales. And some books for .25 like new very expensive books at garage sales they will get for xmas. And a bed in the bag set for $20 & its strawberry shortcake. ANd I got $25 to disney so I go them more pjs & towels with that. And I got the new TMX elmo for $35 a bargin I guess LOL. And I will get some more toys & things later on. And my mom the coke collector will get stuff I got free from cokerewards site & my brother the racer will get some race car stuff I get free from this race car point site, I signed up for. SO ya it will be a cheapy xmas but dont tell anyone that!!!! Oh ya & a dora talking doll I bought for $3 after easter this year.