Anyone on a low budget X-mas this year?

[Marcymom3]

Tough economic times are taking a toll on lots of people. A few years ago we decided to keep Christmas simple and encouraged our kids to make or build something for us and their siblings. One of the kids had the idea that instead of buying something new, we give each other something we already have that the other person has commented on. They were really creative and everyone had a great time. I gave each of my sons one of my Dad's pocket knives and gave my daughter and daughter-in-law pieces of my jewelry that they admired. The kids gave each other books that they had talked to each other about reading throughout the year. It was memorable for so many reasons.

Continuing family traditions is what matters more than a lot of expensive gifts that won't be paid for till June. My parents and I baked cookies together every Christmas. They would come to my house and for three days we'd bake from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. The kids would enjoy helping for a little while afterschool, and Hubs loved being the quality control specialist. After all the baking was done, we'd fill Christmas paper plates with an assortment of all the cookies, wrap them in saran and tie a ribbon on them. There would usually be 40 or so plates that would go to our family members, the pastor, doctor, mailman, friends, etc. My folks are both gone now, but now my husband and kids and grandkids help. It's a tradition that I can't bear to part with, even though the ingredients are expensive. I shop for them beginning in September using coupons and then store in plastic bins till baking day.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

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I am so sorry to hear that you have lost a lot of family members this year. My heart goes out to you and your family.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

I hear you all, we are doing a low budget Christmas this year. We do not do anything big to begin with, we are folks that set a budget for Christmas
and when it is gone it is gone. This year we have no budget so that should make things easier. It will be nice to just focus on what we have and how
God has blessed us this year and brought us through. A tender Tennessee Christmas indeed.

It will be good for my kids will learn to appreciate what they have and how blessed they are. It's not about the gifts it's about being thankful and God's ultimate plan for Mankind.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

I really think alot of people are going to be having a rough time this year. I just hope that everyone will think of what the season is all about. I'm not talking about religion, I'm talking about careing, sharing and love.

This year I've had a lot go wrong. We are too broke to pay attention and we've had health problems, storms, car trouble and a business go belly up. With that being said... We have a roof over our heads, a fine family and even if things are tough we've got food in the pantry and the sure knowledge that no matter what else life throws at us we will survive. Together. As a family.

And if you are in our area and don't have a place to share a nice Christmas dinner?

Consider yourself invited for dinner.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

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That is such an awesome tradition that your family does. I love to bake cookies, to be in your house during the Christmas season probably smells like heaven. I like the idea that your family had about giving gifts that you already had to another member who admired it. That is something that they will never forget.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

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I agree, I am just thankful for my house and like you said food in the pantry. When time gets tough the simple things become the things that people are
most thankful for. For me its, health, food, shelter, my family, and the ability to stay home with my kids.

 

[EweSheep]

I've learned from my parents, both were from LARGE families. Christmas was a fun time for them, the family would go out and find a Xmas tree out in the fields (no one cared back in those days) and decorate most of the "hand me downs" Xmas ornaments and paper mache kind of things along with paper chains and popcorn strings. No fancy wrapping paper, save those comic papers on Sundays, those are excellent and perfect for recycling or fire starters! As for gifts, each child had ONE store bought gift OR some candies, nuts, fruits, not both. They certainly can make homemade stuff for each other, of course!

I followed someone's tip so we don't have to go overboard in getting gifts to dd this year. What she WANTS, what she NEEDS, what she READS, etc. I can not remember the exact quote but it is sensible without going all commercialism. I can not understand why the rampage of getting to the store at 3 AM the day AFTER Thanksgiving to get an IPod! Oh get real!

 

[TrystInn]

I'm very thankful that Hanukkah is the Arbor Day of Judaism, we give 8 simple gifts - in years past these have been everything from iPods to Post-It Notes, depending on how the finances are doing. This coming year is hubby's last year in the Navy and we need a new roof, its going to be pretty simple.

We've been sending cheeses from the Washington State University Creamery. I like the idea of helping future students learn the craft of cheese making and keeping our family dairy farmers in business and that we've given something they can share at holiday parties we're too far away to attend. At $15 per can to start with, its a fairly cheap gift all things concerned.

 

[CluckyJay]

We are probably gonna buy a couple of gifts for our five-year old and maybe some diapers for my husband's eldest kid. Makes it easier when you just have two kids to buy for. Grown son has been a real butthead for a while, so he only gets diapers or other baby stuff for their baby-to-be.

For this Christmas, I drew up the plans to build our little boy a terrarium for his crab and frogs and some bugs. It shouldn't cost much to make and it will be incorporated into his homeschooling lessons.

We don't really buy each other gifts because were usually broke, LOL.

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

We gave all homemade gifts last year because so much was being spent on people that have more than most. We made rules that they needed to be homemade, and under 20.00 for materials. It was one of the best Christmas celebrations we have had with family in the last 15 years. We were all amazed at some of the gifts even from the one's who cried and whined about not having a crafty bone in their body. Gifts ranged from redwood planters, to earrings, blankets, t-shirts they customized with screen printing, homemade pasta and jams, and homemade candy and I am forgetting more.
We are doing it again this year but making the budget smaller and seeing how creative we all can get!