Ask:
I am already looking ahead to Christmas 2007 and feeling a little ill at how much we spent on 2006 Christmas. I am wondering what is the least you have ever gotten away with spending and still giving gifts your inlaws, own parents...people other than your children. Could you spend $10 or less on each person? Or even better...$5? I found metal photo boxes boxes to hold my children's pictures to give for next year for $3...I kind of feel cheap just giving that though.Any thoughts or ideas?
Thanks a bunch!
Kathy
Answer:
Don't feel cheap it's the thought that counts and I'm a firm believer that it's also how you wrap it and make it look pretty. I love to make baskets for different ones in my family. I never spend alot. Sometimes I even regift things. For instance for my nieces this year I had two purses that were barely used well one still had the price tags on it and I bought some .92 cent stocking stuffer gifts to fill them up. Here's what I'm putting in them bubble gum chapstick, lotion, eyemask and I bought a cute small photo album for $2.00 in which I'm thinking about going thru some of my pictures and putting some of them in it. I'm sure they would like seeing some of them as a baby considering they are teen-agers now. Anyways other gifts are coffee mugs filled with candy and you could find jars or other containers such as frosting tubs to decorate and fill up. Just use your imagination and have fun. I'm reminded of the very first Christmas I had with my husband we didn't spend hardly anything on each other. I bought him a flannel shirt it cost $5.00. He gave me a holiday glass when they sold them at different restaurants plus the food that came with it which I upchucked. You see I was very ill with our first baby on the way. I never thought morning sickness could be so bad. It was the worst and best Christmas ever. In my husband's defense he was always there for me and didn't want to leave me alone unless it was when he had to go to work. Anyways at one point when I was hovering over the toilet puking he pulled my hair back and said I'm sorry for doing this to you. I still have the glass after ten years and use it. Btw that c-mas that was the only gifts we got because our familys didn't get us squat.
Answer:
I was just talking to my dh last night about next years Christmas. I think we are going to go with the three gift ideas like was mentioned on here. to represent the three wise men.I think we will also buy christmas gifts for someone from the advent tree at church.And I have already put the word out that we will be backing out of the adult gift exchanges next year and just giving to the kids. With private school tuition next year and it already being tight it is the best thing for us. Besides like this year you can just go overboard. I don't want my kids to have everything!
Answer:
My theory is, if the person cares about you, they'll be happy with whatever the gift....Not the amount spent, and who has to know besides you how much you spent?
I got a coupon in a movie for a free picture calendar (just pay shipping) from shutterfly, My mom got the same coupon, so she gave it to me. I got 2 gifts for 6.99! Those were my cheapest gifts this year. And no-one but me, my mom (and now y'all) will ever know I got a $20 gift for $3.50!
Answer:
I am also thinking about next years Christmas, I am only letting the girls think about 2 big items and 6 small items- then I will pick which ones they get, instead of all of them (there is a 7 year difference between my dd's and of course the oldest wants pricier items that are tiny compared to the youngest items!). And of course get their clothes and usual little things. I am rethinking about the other family members- I spend so much on my hubbys side of the family opposed to mine (which makes me upset!).
I don't feel bad about getting anyone a "cheap" gift, I feel proud of myself for being creative with what $ we have to give to others (I usually find some good deal or get really creative!), which usually isn't that much! It makes my hubby happy too! Only we wish we could cut back so much more (we could if it was not for his family!). I think I am going to ask at Christmas if we could draw names again for next year (that way I have the whole year to find a good bargin for next years Christmas!)
Answer:
Sorry about not posting an answer to your question. The least amount I ever spent was about $8 for each person in both of our families (not including our 1 dd). Long story short- we had to wait for DH bonus- came on Christmas Eve and only had $375 to spend on Christmas (had to use some of his check for gas and Christmas dinner), dh dropped me off at Wal-mart (which was closing in 45 minutes and a mad house!) and he & dd went to the grocery store! I grabbed the men already wrapped gifts and the women all bath sets. I had to grab whatever I thought my then 3 y.o. dd gifts that she might like (dress up trunk, a pound puppy, a few other things & some stocking stuffers). I have to say that was our craziest Christmas ever and from that point on I start shopping for the next years Christmas during the after Christmas sales.
Answer:
I do shop clearance and sales all year long, but this year found I had way OVER bought! My toy closet was stuffed! So I'm getting organized for 2007 and have printed up a worksheet that has everyone I have to buy for, ages, and amount I want to spend. This has nothing to do with your question I now realize but I'm good at going off topic, sorry!
Sometimes I buy $30 gifts for $5 on clearance no one knows you paid $5 for it, it looks like a $30 present, but for the teenage cousins I give $20 cash to all of them. I know they are all saving money for cars/etc so I could get something for cheaper but I'd rather help them out. But if you shop all year and hit target clearances $10 each is easy b/c they always mark down 50-75% off! Don't forget Targets January toy sale!
Answer:
The least I've ever paid for a gift was $1. This summer Wal-mart had a big toy clearance and there was a $25 toy on clearance for $1. I couldn't believe my eyes. I grabbed 3 of them and stashed them away. I don't feel bad it's a cool toy and is definately worth more than $1.
Sometimes I am guilty of over buying and will give several "cheap" gifts.
Answer:
Originally Posted by momma_bear
The least I've ever paid for a gift was $1. This summer Wal-mart had a big toy clearance and there was a $25 toy on clearance for $1. I couldn't believe my eyes. I grabbed 3 of them and stashed them away. I don't feel bad it's a cool toy and is definately worth more than $1.
Sometimes I am guilty of over buying and will give several "cheap" gifts.
I am guilty of that too! That's why I am rethinking my next year Christmas! My kids have so much stuff and hate to give them overload all the time for Christmas!