How much does xmas cost? - Page 2

vendigirl · #21 (**permalink**) 11-06-2004, 08:04 AM

Jean- is the problem that your DH just doesn't want to give Christmas presents or that he feels you don't have the money to buy Christmas presents? Not wanting to give presents is an issue that you'd have to compromise on, but if it's just a money issue there are tons of things you can do. I'm sure there are some freebies that would be good. Making colouring books with pictures from the internet is easy. There are tons of crafts or other things you could make with things around the house. If you have a CD burner and thekids use the cpmouter, how about burning a CD of music or free games? Make a nice cover for it and give that as a gift?
For a little money you could chesk the Goodwill or consignment stores for toys. The dollar store usually have lots of stuff super cheap. If you can sew, you may be able to pick up some Christmas themed fabric cheaply and sew each child a pair of Christmas PJs- though you have to watch the price of fabric as sometimes buying premade PJs would be cheaper.
If it were me, honestly, I'd be writing up the cheapest food menu possible and using the spare grocery money for gifts. It would be eggs and beans with rice for us for awhile!
I hope you and your Dh can work it out. It would feel awful to not have anything for the kids on Christmas morning. {{hugs}}

mountainmist · #22 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 07:30 AM

Isn't it easier and much more frugal to start Christmas shopping in JANUARY, particularly for little kids - always keeping your eye out for sale priced toys, cute mittens, kewl socks...

There's a massive array of stocking stuffers that are super inexpensive if you start immediately after Christmas - and during garage sale season, if you are a careful shopper, you'll run across plenty of new in-box, still sealed toys & puzzles & look-like-new children's books.

This is tougher with teens, but not totally impossible - and besides at that age, they already presumably understand the reality of Santa...

Ima saver · #23 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 07:46 AM

I use to start christmas shopping in January also. Now the grandchildren are teenagers so I just give them money. I only buy for my husband and at our age, we pretty much have everything we want, so we don't do much shopping!

sakigt · #24 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 07:53 AM

I usually spend around $300 for just the gifts, but its all the hidden expenses that get me. Taking time off, extra gas used to drive to family, etc etc.

Luckily, my mom is working and my boyfriend will be visiting family so this Christmas I dont have anywhere to be. Well have our fun during Thanksgiving (Football + Turkey = happy Saki!)

My boyfriend just told me he wants a $120 shift knob for his car :P That means Ill have to refrain from buying "little stocking stuffers" I see for him, since he already went $20 over budget with 1 gift!

kealina · #25 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 01:50 PM

wow... we don't spend much at all... of course that is since money is tight... we went a bit over budget for MIL at $31 simply because we had an opportunity to buy her favorite perfume which normally isn't readily available on the island (it had been years since we had the opportunity to buy it)... for everybody else we generally spend $5-15 (usually on the lower end thanks to garage sales)... we don't shop for extended family and there are no kids so that helps... we just have the two sets of parents and 4 siblings between DH and I....we also shop for a few others... DH and i each might get something little (under $5) for our best friends.... we also don't spend much on each other... maybe $20 each?... we mostly buy each other stuff we need or treat food items we want that we don't normally get... christmas is when i fill his stocking with jalepeno jelly from safeway, which luckily has gone on sale in december the past couple years...
we definately keep it under $200....

nanamom · #26 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 09:27 PM

One year I bought Christmas gifts for two kids for a total of 15.00. I shopped garage sales and dollar stores. It was a tough year but we made it. I have always had my kids make or buy (depending on ages and bank accounts) something for each other. It makes Christmas more special. I remember them watching to see how the other liked the gift. When my DD was little I made her gifts that she loved. I remember one year she got a "first aid kit" that they played with for hours, cost was one old sheet that had too many holes to fit on the bed. Maybe you could make a game for each out of free materials. Or how about a costume out of old sheets or free fabric.

Marcymox · #27 (**permalink**) 10-06-2006, 02:19 PM

I think I'd start shoping now at kids resale stores, thrift stores ect for a few things that won't matter if they are new or used. I always see sets of blocks and tinker toys, matchbox cars that I think would all be good to give "used" if they are in great condition.

I'd also look in those places for things like bathrobes, hoodie sweatshirts, and pajama pants. -if they are in great shape and you take off the tags, will the boys really notice if they are new or used??

I always find TONS of books at the thrift store in great shape I don't know if kids around here hate to read or something, but brand new books are always for sale. I've found cool ones like World record books and ripleys for older kids and great board books for ltitle kids. all at .50 cents to 1.00.

then hit the dollar store for coloring books and crayons for the little one, some play dough, army men, that sort of stuff, and for the older kids maybe some new school supplies since about January thier school supples usually need refreshing. Some new pencils, pens, notebooks.

Then, I'd negiotiate with hubby about buying just a few new things for each boy- maybe nothing extravagant like a playstaion 3, but maybe a new video game for each, or a dvd, music, cd ect. If you can buy just ONE really nice item they are asking for, and fill in with some non expensive extras it might turn out okay.

mountainmist · #28 (**permalink**) 10-06-2006, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singinjeannie

Christmas for us this year is going to be slim. I have 4 kids and no money. Hubby says we aren't having Christmas this year, but I have to do something!!!

Christmas is such an emotional high amidst so much stress and work throughout the year. I'm just not willing to have to tell my 3 year old that there is not Santa Claus. It's just such a joyful fantasy to share with the kids until they get older. I've given up so much this year, no vacation, (not even camping) no celebration for my 40th birthday -- I'm just not up to giving up my Christmas, and all my Christmas' to come, since telling my 3 year old there is no Santa will ruin it for her, me and her baby sister (who I'm sure she'll share this tid-bit of juicy information with as soon as she's able).

I'm near tears writing this. It's just beyond depressing.

In past years I've spent about $200 total on the three kids. (It's gone up as they've gotten older and a rattle or a truck doesn't cover it anymore!!!)

-Jean

Hi Jean,

I'm seriously concerned about your predicament, it sounds like money is desperately tight and that your hubby feels very burdened.

I have no idea what the details of your financial predicament are, but I seriously advise you to immediately call up your local UNITED WAY and request that your sons be put on whatever Christmas present waiting lists they have -- in my area there are plenty of charities & churches which provide Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas baskets, toys for tots, toys for teens, winter coats & mittens, etc., etc., etc.

I'm certain that there also exist charitable organizations and churches that would sincerely like to have your family on their lists - and I'd simply do this, NOW, without discussing it with your husband first, as he "sounds" to me like he's really upset & uncomfortable.

Another thing, when you are talking to the United Way, ask them for the address to the local Food Shelf where each month you can pick up a free bag, maybe 2, of groceries.

I hope things improve for you & yours quickly.

aurielle · #29 (**permalink**) 10-06-2006, 06:25 PM

Christmas only costs us a couple hundred bucks - DH and I will buy a few gifts for each other and we fill up a stocking for each other. I send my DD some money because that is what they need more than anything right now. DH's son is JW so we don't have to worry there.

Snoopy2645 · #30 (**permalink**) 10-06-2006, 08:46 PM

I dont exactly what I will spend but this year will be tight. I already got the girls some pjs for $3 on clearance sales. And some books for .25 like new very expensive books at garage sales they will get for xmas. And a bed in the bag set for $20 & its strawberry shortcake. ANd I got $25 to disney so I go them more pjs & towels with that. And I got the new TMX elmo for $35 a bargin I guess LOL. And I will get some more toys & things later on. And my mom the coke collector will get stuff I got free from cokerewards site & my brother the racer will get some race car stuff I get free from this race car point site, I signed up for. SO ya it will be a cheapy xmas but dont tell anyone that!!!! Oh ya & a dora talking doll I bought for $3 after easter this year.

tinapbeana · #31 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 02:06 PM

DH and i are lucky to be able to save $100/mo for the holidays, and anything we don't spend gets rolled back into regular savings. bear in mind this saved amount includes gifts, parties, travel, cards, charity donations, baking, cooking, higher elec bill due to lights, absolutely everything holiday related. we have no children, but we 'save up' because in the past we have given gifts dictated by need: his parents a refrigerator, my sister a new kitchen floor, lowes giftcards to my parents when they bought a serious 'fixer upper' home. now i'm moving into a more 'living simply' mindset and am giving more 'disappearing gifts'. i don't remember where i read about it, but it was like a lightbulb going off in my head about how much *crap* gets given. so, I give disappearing gifts: gift certificates for restaurants or a massage, good coffee or chocolates. Bascially, anything that you won't have to dust once you've used it

otherwise, depends on which christmas season you're asking about. there have been more "heartfelt christmas" celebrations than I can remember (heartfelt is code for dirt poor, of course), but being able to spend time with friends and family made them all worthwhile. and getting creative helps. one year in high school my sis asked for nothing but money. at christmas she had a ton of stuff under the tree and was PO'd! first box was two packs of notebook paper, each with a couple of bucks taped to them. next was a box of bandaids with a 5. next a case of canned cream corn each with a dollar taped on.... really useful items, but just enough cash to make her excited.

BTW, my mom got this idea from her dad who gave my grandma a broom with 100$ bills wrapped down the handle one year. then he wrapped it up in wrapping paper so it looked just like a broom under the tree, and she made snippy remarks to everyone about getting a a damn broom. until she opened it, of course...

JanH · #32 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 02:10 PM

Tina: I LOVE it! I just might have to do that to my college kids, my nephews, oh yeah, dad would love it......

tinapbeana · #33 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JanH

Tina: I LOVE it! I just might have to do that to my college kids, my nephews, oh yeah, dad would love it......

definitely great for those older kids that change what they want on a whim. and giving cash feels, well, funky. there's nothing onder the tree to shake and figure out when it's just an envelope! now, picture my sis trying to shake that case of creamed corn... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

kind of mean but definitely fun if you have holiday gift shakers in your house: put just a bell or some broken pottery in a box (might want to bag the pottery first). even better, don't have a tag on it, then pass it around asking folks to shake it to figure out what it is or who to give it too...

JanH · #34 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 02:25 PM

I love the way you think. My DD and her friends do stuff like tape the whole thing in package wrapping tape or duct tape so they can't get it open.

Ima saver · #35 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 02:55 PM

Ilike the broken pottery idea in a box, that sounds really funny!!

tgavin71 · #36 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 03:30 PM

We spend quite a lot of money on Christmas. But we save for up for it during the year. And we are very frugal with necessities so we can splurge a bit on birthdays and christmases. The kids usually get one big present each from mum and dad. And a few little things from Santa. This year they'll get one big present from Santa.

rooskers · #37 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 03:41 PM

OLD BUDGET "Before our child"
I have five nieces and nephews each gets a $10 present or less so that is $50. Two sisters each get about $10 presents so now I am up to $70. My parents and wifes parents each get $20 gift so up to $110. Finally about $40 dollars for me and my wife to divy up so $150.

NEW BUDGET "Caitlyn is born"
Relatives get cards and wife and I split love and Caitlyn gets $150 or more in college savings account for first year well she might get some new outfits. Don't know about next year.

ren · #38 (**permalink**) 10-15-2006, 02:07 PM

My Christmas gift to my parents and grandmother is a bit expensive this year -- $410 to fly myself home to Indiana. It's a bit more than I'd like to spend, but Grandma turned 86 in August and I want to see her. Smallish gifts for unwrapping will probably run another $50 or so. Probably another $30 or so for each roommate and $20 for the office Secret Santa. So I should escape under $550 (possibly less by $150-$200, as Grandma and the parents generally give cash, but I'm not going to count on that).

I have to say, I don't know how those of you with kids do it. Kids' toys are so very expensive and it seems like every year has its 'must have'. Course, my mother used to hide toys I already owned a couple months before Christmas and regift them to me. I'm told that Santa gave me the same Candyland game three years in a row and I didn't notice it -- apparently my fine tuned skills of observation had not yet kicked in!

tinapbeana · #39 (**permalink**) 10-15-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ren

Course, my mother used to hide toys I already owned a couple months before Christmas and regift them to me. I'm told that Santa gave me the same Candyland game three years in a row and I didn't notice it -- apparently my fine tuned skills of observation had not yet kicked in!

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Too funny! Wonder if this would work on my husband?

BCHGRL · #40 (**permalink**) 10-15-2006, 05:13 PM

Jean,
Have you considered contacting your children's school or local civic organizations? In my area, the schools and local civic organizations coordinate donation efforts so that all children can have a Christmas. The donor gets a list of the child's sizes and interests. It is expected that they will donate at least three or more gifts. It doesn't hurt to ask! Toys for tots might be the one to contact for the children that are not school age yet.