Anyone on a low budget X-mas this year?

[fuzziebutt]

We don't give gifts, even to each other. Hubbo and I decide on something that we would like to have, and we get it. Last year it was a really nice electric fireplace. Our family wants to exchange gifts each year, so we slowly backed out of the plans. He and I have a nice, quiet and peaceful Christmas, and get phone calls from the materialistic ones!

 

[dewey]

Quote:

 

[Spookwriter]

Christmas isn't about material things.

Don't let it be. What Christmas is about can't be bought on
some store shelf, or found under some tree.

That's only material things. And in the final count they just
don't matter.

It's been the journey through this thing called life that matters
most of all. The woman that's been with me every step of the way,
and the daughter that she gave me.

There was a time in life when we struggled to buy the things we thought
mattered. Diamonds and gold. Fancy things.

Only to find that they don't even matter. Just things that gather dust.

It was the journey of getting them that we look back on, and remember.
Now, we can have pretty much anything we want. Ony to find, that there
really is nothing we want.

In each other, and in our assorted familys, we have all that matters.

And I guess that's what matters to Spook for Christmas : a family that I love
every day of my life.

So don't worry about what is or isn't under the Christmas tree.
Really doesn't matter.

The Christmas I'll always remember with my wife was many years ago. We were
poor. Couldn't afford much. But she had gathered up a bunch of free samples of
stuff. Junk really. Nothing at all. But that's all she had to put under the tree. How
much we laughed. And loved.

One of the pieces of junk was a roll of toilet paper. But she had taken the time to
unroll it and write some goofy message on each piece. I've still got that. It isn't
worth anything to anyone but me. Means the world to me.

Spook

 

[FlaRocky]

My family got tired of asking me what I want, now just call. That is all I want. For my dad I give cash or pay a lump sum on his power bill or something like that. He is on a fixed income, so try to help when I can. The family knows if they get me anything to make it for use with the chickens, horses, dogs or cats. If one of them get a kitten I will get them a spay certificate.

Maye

 

[debilorrah]

Spook the free samples basket is what my mother got last year. She LOVED it. This year we are really only concerned that the children have fun. I have realized over the years that our family simply wants to be together - and that I cook.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Every year, but by choice here. Husband and I are saving up for land, and we don't really like "stuff" and being tied to possessions. Sometimes we'll do presents on a short budget (usually not items, but things like play tickets), sometimes a little car trip with the dog, sometimes we make a really special meal, etc. We've also told relatives that we don't expect gifts. Oh, and sometimes we'll do a tree, but usually we'll buy a neat looking plant for our house from a local plant shop, and decorate that. We've had Christmas succulents and mings before. XD. We've skipped trees before too though. Just kind of go with the flow of what we feel like. Can't say I've ever had a stressful holiday since doing things this way.

 

[turney31]

Mostly non existant. Will take care of the Grandkids.

 

[redhen]

Quote:

 

[redhen]

Slim Christmas here too.
Sucks, i'd like to buy better, more expensive things for the kids. Like i-pods and stuff.. but i dont think we'll have it this year. Plues, they just get broken or lost anyways...

My MAIN concern is just having a good, fun family get together with lots of good food to eat.

 

[debilorrah]

I know we are buying trees for two of the kids this year. They just moved into their own places and had babies. No way can they afford a tree, even it's a small one.