[jodi]

I just tallied up our Christmas (gift) expenses for this year...about $850, not counting the vacation DH and I are taking as our gifts to each other (another $750). But that is for the two of us, two children, four parents, five siblings, three nieces, and two nephews, plus stocking stuffers for the rest of the family. We spent nothing on decorations this year - we already have more than we can use, spent nothing on a tree (artificial), about $10 on cards (bought at 50% or more off, usually after Christmas) and less than $15 on postage, maybe $50-100 on groceries and cookies (we get a free turkey from my uncle, who works on a turkey farm, and did a cookie exchange to get the most variety of cookies without having too many). Plus I purchased about 10 rolls of wrapping paper and a gift box full of bows a few years back at a garage sale for $1 each...still trying to get through them - they last a long time when I also have about 20 gift bags (never bought - given to me by others!) that I reuse every year.

I would never pay those prices listed in the original post...ouch. $188 for a shirt? $113 for six candles????? I am always amazed at these prices...