Ok you live frugal but Christmas is right around the corner. Now what.

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HeatherLynn

HeatherLynn

Crowing
12 Years
May 11, 2009
2,045
41
284
Kentucky, Cecilia
It just seems like there is more struggle to the holidays this year. Really trying to stay on track budget wise. The kids arn't even giving me lists. They know money is tight and mommy is working very hard to insulate us from layoffs in march. So the kids are great. I still want to be able to get them some nice things though. I have gotten some great deals and a free item so far to stretch my dollars a bit. What is hurting the christmas budget right now are pj's. I always get them some. I cannot seem to find cotton or flannel pj's on sale this year. The ucky plastic stuff that makes them sweat is marked way down but they tend to leave those in the dresser drawers and never wear them.

How is everyone else handling the holidays. Any creative ideas or money savers? Whats your Chritsmas budget. How many are hand making items to give.
 
Our Christmas will be very tight due to some unexpected expenses. But you know what? It's not about the darn gifts. They are just material things. We'll be spending Christmas together (which is rare as it is) and that's all that's to it. A lot of people are struggling these days but that doesn't mean you cannot enjoy getting together. My Christmas budget is $100 bucks for 8 people.
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Do you sew? Could you make them some pajama pants (that cozy fabric is always a great deal this time of the year) and pick up an inexpensive cotton shirt to go with? If you don't sew, do you know someone that would be willing to do it for you as long as you buy the items? If someone is really into sewing, it should not take that person long to knock out some pajama pants. If you need a pattern, you can pick up some at JoAnn's for 99 cents on sale.

I am making some items for Christmas -- a lap desk for the oldest and some cute felt flower headbands for both girls. Also, making some pretty wreaths for MIL and grandma. I've found some really cute/cool ideas for anyone on this site http://homemade.tipjunkie.com/.

If ever I have an idea for a homemade gift, I just search for tutorials online. There is soooo much out there.

I tend to look towards quality versus quantity with my kids. My kids don't really need anything, but it is still fun to get a few gifts under the tree. Last year, I bought my girls some sweet homemade fabric dolls off from Etsy. They were not cheap compared to the plastic ones you get at Walmart, but my girls have never, ever loved a doll so much. This year, they would like another from the same Etsy shop (Goodbye Blue Monday). So I did order them each another doll. I went for a handmade or American made Christmas last year. I purchased a simple wooden train set from the Landmark Company out of Vermont for my youngest last year. That, too, was more expensive than buying a plastic one from the big box stores. I really liked doing that last year and am kinda going for the same thing this year.
 
I got laid off from my job a couple weeks ago. DH owns his own company (construction based) so it's been tight the last few years. No one in the immediate family is rich (parents, kids) so we'll do what we've done the last few years. Home-made treats. dinner at our home, small but meaningful gifts. It's not about the 'commercial' aspect, it's about being together. It is harder with kids (DSS is 11), but your kids know what the situation is. Craigs List is a good resource, as is Freecycle. Even if it's not "new", it can be to them.

Good luck!
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It's hard when you want to do more than you know you should.
 
Could you get pajamas from a children's consignment shop? I got a bunch of cotton ones for my three year old as he was making the transition out of diapers...
 
Meant to say that total, we spend about $500-$600 on all gifts -- kids, hubby, myself, in-laws, grandparents, teachers, bus driver, mail carrier, a niece and a nephew. I usually make something like a table runner or apron for teachers/bus driver along with some homemade goodies. In-laws and grandparents usually get a picture calendar full of pics of the kids throughout the year. This year I am changing it up a bit by getting them something else, but I am not spending anymore on it.

I agree with Avalon -- it's about so much more than gifts. Times aren't necessarily tight for us, but I see no need to spend alot of money because that's what the commercial world dictates everybody else is doing. Extra money serves much more of a purpose in retirement, college, or savings accounts than spent on junk nobody will remember a year later. We do also spend another $150 or so at Christmastime on a needy family or needy children -- just another thing I'd rather spend my money on!
 
I am making them each a stuffed animal from the tip junkie site. I thought about the pj's but I am just learning how to sew. Not sure this year hand sewn ones will be feasible. I think by next near thats a definite.

We have also been looking at craigslist and with other parents we know that might have items they are looking to get rid of that are in great shape. Like a handmade wooden doll house or even collectable cards.

My husband and I are buying ourselves a gift card to go out to eat together. Thats our Christmas present. A dinner out just us two. On the kids I do 60 each. I am amazed as long as I am not looking for the latest fad how far 60 can go. Except when looking for cotton pj's apparently lol. Every year we have cut back a little bit. This year will be a bit leaner because there will be no presents from relatives either but they understand how hard a time everyone is having so not upset about it.

I wish i could say ours was 100. That might take us a while to work up to.
 
Jo-Anns is also having a great Black Friday sale, flannel (solid or print) is $1.49 a yard!


This year I am getting some $1 jars and filling them with some Blondie mix I found a recipe for, printing the instructions and topping with a cute ribbon for Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents. Should run about $2 a jar.


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Good ideas! I think that time spent together is much more memorable than any gifts one would receive, so don't sweat it HeatherLynn! Maybe do some fun things like string popcorn for the Christmas tree. Dry orange/apple slices and hang on the tree. Make cinnamon applesauce ornaments. I want my kids to remember the true togetherness of family most, anyways.
 
I hate to say it, but ..... .... Dollar Store. Sadly that is where I will be doing most of my Xmas shopping this year. Embarrassing, yes. But necessary. I will also be trying to make some art to give for Xmas. I am trying to sell everything I can dig up, just to buy groceries. These are sad times for many.
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