If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

[PrincessPerky]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

But we also have to consider cutting our spending. Review your list -- who's been naughty/nice? If you have a large family/circle of friends/co-workers, try the system where you randomly pick one person to buy for, rather than getting something for everyone.

Heh, that is why I can shop year round, I don't ask whay people want, I prolly couldn't afford it anyway!

I do look for cool ideas to homade gifts, I look for fun 'build/do' with toys for kids..things that will be done with us not here have fun and get out of my hair.

I find it is harder for tweens than anything cause you almost never know if they are in the mood to be old and grown or a kid! but worst comes to worse I can save the gift a wek then give it..the mood will change!

The only thing I have trouble with is friends kids, I LOVE buying for kids! but that means I will prolly get a gift in return..not so fun IMO, that is something to store, something to clean up and something to donate later..hate that part!

[vsjhoc]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

I know there are people who view the season as a commercialized consumer event...but I am not one of them.

OK, so I'm probably a Bah Humbug ... but I do think it is great that you find so much joy in it.

I love giving gifts too. We also need to tell people how we feel. A close friend recently graduated from a certificate program. She succeeded against all odds. I wanted to buy her a nice pair of earrings. I didn't have a spending limit. I knew I'd end up spending twice the limit if I saw something perfect. Didn't matter. We've been friends for 25+ years and she is going through a tough time. On the way to the store, I suddenly realized that I really didn't have that kind of money to be spending on gifts. Instead, I wrote her a note about how proud I was of her. I think it meant a lot to her.

[Thrifty Ray]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

OK, so I'm probably a Bah Humbug ... but I do think it is great that you find so much joy in it.

I love giving gifts too. We also need to tell people how we feel. A close friend recently graduated from a certificate program. She succeeded against all odds. I wanted to buy her a nice pair of earrings. I didn't have a spending limit. I knew I'd end up spending twice the limit if I saw something perfect. Didn't matter. We've been friends for 25+ years and she is going through a tough time. On the way to the store, I suddenly realized that I really didn't have that kind of money to be spending on gifts. Instead, I wrote her a note about how proud I was of her. I think it meant a lot to her.

I am not big on gifts through out the year...I usually give a small handmade /baked gift or a note for other occasions. If it is a gift, I give candles or soaps so that it does not end up being clutter for someone else. (I NEVER give knick-knacks...ugh)

I am just a child at heart when it comes to Christmas.

[Ima saver]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

I use to shop all thru the year, put toys on layaway, etc. Now I just give my granddaughter cash (they are teens) My husband and I have everything we need, so it is difficult to buy for each other now. We use to really go hog wild at christmas. My husband started a tradition of buying me one present for every year I was old, so I had to buy him just as many!! We have stopped that. I have no family, so that is all the shopping I do, just for my husband.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

... Instead, I wrote her a note about how proud I was of her. I think it meant a lot to her.

I think the note sounds wonderful!

[markio26]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

I Already Purchased Toys From Toysrus Thru Amazon With Free Shipping For Xmas... And I Am Adding To This Monthly If I See Something... I Have $259.01 In Ing For Xmas And I Need To Deposit About $412, This Week I Saved To The Balance....i Am Currently Working On Lexie's School Supplies, She Needs Cheerleading And Basketball Outfits This Year Along With The Clothes And School Supplies.. I Bought With Her 3 Dream Dresses, Underwear, New Shoes, Socks, Anklets, Etc. So, Far. She Starts School In August.

[getforfree]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

I have more money available than I will spend for christmass. I don't like to spend money. If I wouldn't have any money, I would never-ever put it on a credit card which I can't pay off. I would rather not give any gifts or give some small gifts. That can sound mean, but better than being in a debt.

[Diolla]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

I wouldn't have any. I have usually charged christmas and paid for it for the next few months. I am struggling to break that cycle. I have removed the credit cards from my wallet, so I can pay them down without charging them up. Once I've cleared my debt, I want to set up a system where I transfer money to ING that covers my rent, car payment, insurance and Roth contribution, then transfers it back to checking when each payment is due. Then each week, I will have a certain amount available for foor/gas/entertainment and I will stop spending when it runs out. I think I can automate it, so that it doesn't take thought or willpower to keep it going. I guess I should include christmas, so that I don't get derailed in december.

Does anybody else use a system that works like that?

The envelope system works like that. You put the spending money in envelopes and stay out of the bill paying money. I use the banks free automatic online bill pay and only think about money on paydays when I fund my envelopes and transfer long term savings to my online mm account.

[vsjhoc]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

The envelope system works like that. You put the spending money in envelopes and stay out of the bill paying money. I use the banks free automatic online bill pay and only think about money on paydays when I fund my envelopes and transfer long term savings to my online mm account.

I'm confused. I thought the envelope system meant that you allocate money every month for all savings, bills, and variable expenses. So there is exactly the amount you need to pay the monthly car payment, plus $50 so that you will have $600 to spend at Christmas, etc. I think some people actually use real paper envelopes rather than virtual ones although it would be awfully tempting to raid Peter when Paul's car breaks down.

Please check the rules about transfers out of the ING account. Because it's a money market and not a checking account, you *may* be limited to three withdrawals per month. I found that out the hard way when GMAC Bank charged me $10 for a fourth check, although I called and got them to reverse the charge.

[JoyJoy]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

Great topic!! Christmas in July!!

We are saving up our reward points on our Amex Gold Rewards Card. We currently have 11,000+ points and I will be using that little shopping cart on Amex's website to go shopping come November. We have three sons, mother-in-law, and an aunt to shop for plus each other so this won't be a hard venture this year. Hubby leaves all the shopping and card sending to me.

Christmas is such a beautiful time of the year as long as you're not overly stressed trying to make everyone happy. I shop Victorias Secret online (Beauty especially) for really nice fragrances. They have a sale now on their Dream Angels fragrance that is only $7.99. Just a thought for those teenagers that want a little dab of perfume behind their ears.

[Ima saver]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

The best card I ever got was a hand made card for my husband in 1980. I still have it.

[Snoopy2645]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

I would be able to put together somethings if xmas was tommorrow I have somethings put away I use freebies I have got threw out the year I have some jammies for the girls bought for a dollar something & I have a canopener in the basement in the box for someone & lots of stockpiles of free shampoos & stuff I usually give to someone some of that stuff & I have some phone cards I got free someone would get those too!! My relatives I think count on me for those for free long distance!!! I could also wip up a few pillowcases or blankets with my fabrics in the basement!!

[autoxer]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

But did you cut them up? That's the final straw. Have fun with it...use something clever...just be careful.

Here is my discover card and my visa:

Now I have to start saving for christmas.

[lrjohnson]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

Well, pre-Challenge I'd go wild and crazy and spend a whopping $300 on gifts. I know that doesn't sound like much to some people, but I'm naturally frugal these days. Gifts and dining out were weaknesses of mine.

Now, I'm going to be very limited; I'm budgeting $10 to $15 a month in gifts and working at scouting out garage sales and thrift stores for gifts. I've gotten some perfect ones already. High quality items in good, no - scratch that, excellent condition.

Some I'll have to spend more time on; I make bath salts, other bath products, and also jams. I want to make candy this year; treats like candied orange peel, other easy ones. I'll make magnet sets for people using themes of what they like (lighthouses, maybe) or photos that will mean something to them.

I absolutely am fine getting used and/or cheap gifts myself, and encourage frugal gifts. A friend last year, during a tough financial time, gave me an extra/used pizza cutter, something I'd really been wanting. She saw I really loved it.

[Thrifty Ray]

Re: If Christmas were tomorrow, how much would you have??

LOL autoxer...

May they R.I.P.