Will this xmas be expensive?

[marla]

with the cost of gas rising, do you think that retailers will pass along those extra costs to us and make it an extra expensive xmas this year?

[Bluezy]

Perhaps if you don't shop online for your gifts.

I am going to use the Lay-bye at Wal-Mart for CJ's Christmas items, and will have his gifts secured by next month. That way I spread the expense over a period of time, should Wal Mart pass the cost of high fuel off to consumers.

[PRICEPLUS]

I intend to start early and look for bargains. No expensive Christmases in my future.

[PrincessPerky]

Actually we started earlier, and insteaad of just thinking when I see the perfect gift to get it. I am putting some thought into what on earth they really want, hard to do in November or December, not to stressfull in January (or August, since I am not done yet). so this should be the cheapest Christmas ever .

[frugalfarmwife]

Not for us, we raise our Christmas gifts to all, we give home grown beef to the whole family, we also raise the feed for the beef so have that market cornered. We've been doing this for several years now and the family all really look forward to home grown drug/hormone free beef for the freezer

kj

[akaivyleaf]

Thats a wonderful gift frugalfarmwife.

As for me, I'm scrooge so last year I failed to participate and it actually felt good. So it matters not, how gas prices affect shopping... I won't feel the crunch.

Now I'm not scrooge to be mean, but over the years, I've given more and more. I was known as Ms. Claus to my nieces and nephews and my siblings. Whatever they asked for, I provided. While it is better to give than to receive, my tree was always barren and I've just become disillusioned with it all. I could have received a card, a call or something on the day, but since they didn't feel it necessary, I don't feel it necessary any longer.

[Max'sMommy]

Nope, we have been finished for over a month, we like to be done by the end of Summer- no lines, inflated prices or grochy coshoppers!

[mom-from-missouri]

I have already started my Christmas shopping. Got about 1/2 done, and have only spent $9.99 so far this year--spent about $35 last year that is going towards this year. (part for fabric for new nightgowns for the girls and matching ones for their dolls) and some Barbies that were marked down after Christmas to $1 each at Walmart. I do the same with school supplies. I bought for this year, last Sept when they were marked down after last school year had started. Last winter I also got a box of 100 brand new paperback books (childrens scholastic books) off ebay-for $9.99 which I plan to give to the kids in the family, and also for them to give to classmates and to donate to the classroom and school library. I have found in the past that the longer I wait till the holiday, the more I spend.

[marglo]

Sounds like we have some very frugal Christmas shoppers on this forum! Great ideas! Our Christmas will not be expensive for the simple fact that we have very little money saved and what we have saved is all we will spend.

[cicy33]

I have got to get started! 5 kids, 4 neices, 1 nephew, and the family! and that is just the immediate family. I am very lucky, my neices are delighted over anything, they are just so thrilled that they were thought of. I always go to the day after thanksgiving sale, absolutely love it and get such great bargains! last year I got leap pad for $9.99, remote control huge trucks for 9.99, game boy advances for $35, and last year we got dvd players for $25.

[shengmei]

No, but the after-Christmas 75% off sale sure will

[Tree0164]

I have a set budget for this year. I have already started shopping and it things are more expensive people (kids) will get less.

We will prices go up because of the gas. There is no doubt about it.

[tamip]

Yeah, I have 22 on my list of immediate family, which I usually budget $25 each for, not including my own 2 kids. So, this year, I took that money that I had saved, and put it towards debt! ($450) All the grown-ups will get a handmade ornament and some homemade cookies. (all made by me) and the smaller cousins with get some handknitted slippers and or toys. My boy's will each get something handmade, and something storebought. I'll be putting their items on layaway as to hide from them.

And that's it for me! Between gas prices and cc payments increasing, we just can't manage a big holiday.

Tami

[shengmei]

I usually buy my Christmas gifts around New Year's, and then I pretend I forgot to give them their Christmas gifts. I give them the gifts as soon as I buy them.

Since I ALWAYS purchase from the 75% off sales, my gifts look a lot more expensive than they usually cost.

[robex]

I always budget through the year for Christmas, pick up gifts along the way and dh always blows the budget and picks up gifts the week before...I should start budgeting for him blowing the budget!

I am waaaaay behind this year. However, every year after Xmas I go to Walmart and pick up a ton of cards, wrapping paper and Xmas kitchen towels and potholders. I give these for teacher gifts and to anyone generic that I want to buy for. This year I got sets of two towels and 2 oven mitts for $1.50--great deal!