Anyone on a low budget X-mas this year?

[mississippifarmboy]

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Bravo

Very well said as usual Spook!

 

[Newwell]

I'm not going to say that our Christmas is going to be ultra lean, just leaner than usual. My DH recently retired & I haven't found a new job yet. So I am going to give local business gift certificates to some of my relatives and make "coupon books" toward: house cleaning, catered dinner, yard mowing, car washing/waxing, etc that my family & I will do for them.
I got a really neat email from my aunt today & wanted to share it. Think about this one:

Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.
This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift-giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Hire your local hard working fishing guide.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American-owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your gift receiver isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a few breakfasts at the local breakfast joint & spend time together.
Remember, folks this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theater?
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand foreign-made lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or delivery person and babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets and seeing our hard-earned wages go outside the country.
Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. Enjoy family get-togethers, church services, caroling, as in past Christmases but put more emphasis on the REASON FOR THE SEASON and less on material gifts.
Think about doing this if you can afford it!!!

 

[arabianequine]

Just the 2 of us we are thinking of going to Las Vegas for Christmas but not sure yet. We have not been on a trip in years at least 3 since we bought our farm. I am expecting some money late Nov. but should be before Christmas for sure. Things we want and things we need or should buy, so I don't know what will happen yet.

 

[EweSheep]

Spook, I love the way you and Mrs Spook celebrated Christmas! Just beautiful and very thoughtful!

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

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That is a awesome idea, I love homemade gifts they mean so much more that just buying something at the store.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

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That is the sweetest story that I have heard. You know it is the years when thins are slim that the most memorable Christmas
memories are made. The toilet paper gift that she made for you is so sweet. That is a treasure. very well said.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

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very well said, I could not agree more

 

[theoldchick]

The best Christmas I ever had was the one I volunteered at the local soup kitchen. I spent the entire day slaving behind the food counter. Those people didn't have a thing but a smile and the clothes on their back. Yet they managed to laugh and share whatever they had.

 

[greeneggsandham]

I hear ya all. This year it will be something for my daughter and husband. I just can't afford to get for anyone else. I won't be going to my mother's house either since my neices and nephews will be there and unfortunately they expect a gift.

 

[Avalon1984]

Pretty tight Christmas here too. All my family and friends are overseas so I save my money to send them their birthday and Christmas gifts all in one box (postage is just outrageous) so there isn’t much room for lavish gifts. Other than that it’s just husband and the critters. One less after this weekend

I also don’t know where my job is headed so I am doing my best paying off bills and stashing money away left and right in case I get let go any day.