A slim Christmas, thanks to lower credit limits

[ThriftoRama]

Lower Credit-Card Limits Hit Holiday Shopping | Newsweek Business | Newsweek.com

[kork13]

Come on now, really??

Let me summarize the article for you:
"Poor little Timmy is gonna have a sad Christmas because mommy and daddy can't get new credit cards, and the naughty credit card issuers should be ashamed of themselves."

Ms. Stern (the writer), you must be outside of your mind.

Anyone wanna take a guess at someone who has contributed to the prevalence of irresponsible credit use? I'll give you a hint, I've mentioned the name, and it ain't little Timmy.

[irmanator]

wow, don't ppl know they shouldn't do Christmas on credit?

[kork13]

Is it bad for me to be disgusted by people who go hundreds, if not thousands of dollars into debt in order to give everybody and their dog (literally... the dog too) lavish Christmas gifts?

Call me cheap and old fashioned, but my parents (thankfully, IMO) raised me to think of gifts (christmas, birthday, wedding, whatever) as a way to show kindness, appreciation, love, etc. to someone you care about. Not as a measure of it, but simply a physical demonstration to say it's there, and that you would like to do something good for them.

I'm getting the sinking feeling that as the holiday season approaches with all of the turbulent times we're in, we'll see a tremendous load of stories of parents saying, "I feel like an awful parent" and "I'm afraid my kids will think I don't love them" or "I'm so ashamed" because they can't buy their children the newest bike, game system, or remote control car.

[ThriftoRama]

I feel the same way. I have no sympathy.

[PrincessPerky]

I think it is about time, I see no reason for little Timmy to need nor receive hundreds of thousands of dollars of 'stuff' bought on credit.

Try bringing out last years toys, betcha he didn't play with half of them.

[poundwise]

Lower Credit-Card Limits Hit Holiday Shopping | Newsweek Business | Newsweek.com

[sweeps]

PW, I knew you'd post that image to this thread. LOL.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I never charge more than I will pay off immediately, Christmas or not. But I do not like the idea of the credit extended to me being lowered. A few months ago in the UK people who paid their cards every month were having their credit cards canceled completely. Oh, well, I guess I'll get along well enough.

[kork13]

HAHA! Bravo, poundwise!!!

[maat55]

I've for a long time have believed that Christmas is way over consumerized. I also believe a good poor Chrismas would be good for the real Christmas soul.

[SnoopyCool]

Said Charlie Brown:

I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.

Said Lucy van Pelt:

Look, Charlie, let's face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It's run by a big eastern syndicate, you know.

And, of course, Sally & Charlie's conversation:

Sally: I've been looking for you, big brother. Will you please write a letter to Santa Claus for me?

Charlie Brown: Well, I don't have much time. I'm supposed to get down to the school auditorium to direct a Christmas play.

Sally: [hands a clipboard and pen to Charlie Brown] You write it and I'll tell you what I want to say.

Charlie Brown: [sticks pen in his mouth] Okay, shoot.

Sally: [dictating her letter to Santa Claus as Charlie Brown writes it for her] Dear Santa Claus, How have you been? Did you have a nice summer?

[Charlie Brown looks at her]

Sally: How is your wife? I have been extra good this year, so I have a long list of presents that I want.

Charlie Brown: Oh brother.

Sally: Please note the size and color of each item, and send as many as possible. If it seems too complicated, make it easy on yourself: just send money. How about tens and twenties?

Charlie Brown: TENS AND TWENTIES? Oh, even my baby sister!

Sally: All I want is what I... I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share

[snafu]

I notice that Xmas merchandise has been on the shelves of stores in our community since mid October which is earlier than in years past. They haven't started the endless music yet but I figure it will start immediately after Halloween.

If jobs are at risk and the media's negative reports sink in...perhaps people will begin to believe they don't need all that junque from China to be enjoy the holiday season. It all just adds to their stress and clutter.

Way back during the Y2K commotion our extended family reverted to our parent's holiday style. They felt that any fool could go buy a useless gift but it took thought and an act of love to personally create something the recipient would like.

In our family most gifts were targeted to children but we continue to draw names for adults which must be something you make/do yourself and after 8 years this has been getting more and more difficult.

This year DH and I will buy and lay laminate flooring for SIL who hates her carpet in two bedrms. She lives in our capital city, [3 hrs distant] so we have already had a preliminary discussion with her as there is so much to co ordinate.

SIL needs to choose the product she wants laid and order if not in stock. We need to book holiday time between Nov. 1 - Dec. 15th, load all the equipment and tools, drive to capital, p/u & deliver the product and set-up a work zone. We have yet to work-out a plan to move furniture somewhere? rip out carpeting, underlay, arrange and pay for disposal. We anticipate 4 days per room to completion as sometimes rehanging doors cause H___.

This is the biggest gift we have ever done but much loved SIL is particularly needy in the DIY category.

[kork13]

They haven't started the endless music yet but I figure it will start immediately after Halloween.

Arg..... I'm no scrooge by any means, but the music gets to me--you can't escape it. 20+ years of every year the same songs really grinds my nerves.... Besides the "I've gotta get so-and-so the BEST present!" mentality, the music is the one other thing that I never look forward to about the upcoming holidays... Oh well, such times are why I love my headphones and ipod.

[PrincessPerky]

Funny I like the music.. but them I am not often in stores to hear it, so I guess I don't get tired of it.