Christmas on a Budget

Anonymous

Ok, we are all having to budget or worse .. some of us are broke!  My 7  year old would say she wants a lot of toys but she has toys.  She would say games for her Wii or DS but she will get gift cards.

I found a cookbook I had purchased a year ago, it's still new.  Rachel Ray's Cooking with Kids or something like that.  DD doesn't even know I had it.  She is DYING to learn to cook and I've told her she would have to be 8 (my Love and Logic parenting books/guides say at 8 each child should prepare one family meal ... even if all they can make is Top Ramen or heat up a can of soup and make sandwiches).   So, this will accellerate this and make her happy.

I found clothes her size that I purchased last year on close-out knowing that she would be this size this year.  So, there's 2 pairs of cool pants, very stylish and for school!

I have already gotten her 2 cute sweat suits.

I am really scrimping this year!!  I think I will get her a card game she likes ... Skip-bo.  Maybe a pair of earrings or a charm for her bracelet. 

Other gifts will come from relatives ... and we are going on our pre-paid ski trip so that is my gift.  Santa will bring the cookbook, clothes, and the small things I mentioned.

How are you saving money????  

Anonymous

I forgot to add this joke ... which made me think I NEED to make sure she has something to play with after christmas:

Last Christmas, after all the presents were opened, it was clear that my five-year-old son wasn't thrilled with the ratio of toys to clothes he'd received. As he trudged slowly up the stairs, I called out, "Hey, where are you going?" "To my room," he said, "to play with my new socks."

badboob67

Rocktober,

First, LOL at the joke! I fear that my boys may have similar grumblings this year. We have absolutely no disposable income this year, so I'm making (or at least planning to make!) everyone's gifts. I am making bible covers for the inlaws and sons--each customized to their personality (denim and flannel for the nephew, girly stuff for the nieces, butterflies for the MIL, etc). I have a very large stash of fabric and notions, so the only investment in these will be my time. 

I have a very large bag of knitted squares that I started a couple of years ago to make my boys "ugly blankets". I had made one ugly blanket years ago out of odds and ends of yarn and they loved it to death and have been asking me to make another. With any luck, I'll get 3 ugly blankets made in time--I'll be busy stitching away at my chemo appointments!

I am making our Christmas cards too. Some, I will do a nativity scene with quilled paper. For others, I will be doing hand-cut "pop-up" cards. I do calligraphy, so will add the greetings to both types with that. Dh finally put up some shelves in my crafts/sewing area so I have a good space to work in now.

My mom just left today after visiting for a couple of weeks and I already sent some hand-knitted caps along with her for my niece and nephew. I have a "topsy-turvy" doll pattern I'd love to finish for my niece, but I think it may have to wait for her birthday. My stepdad absconded with a "magic wallet" that I made, so I guess he got his present early!

Ds #2 loves to cook and I have a pattern for a chef's jacket that I hope to make for him. Ds #3 has a favorite pillow that needs replacing.... 18 year-old ds #1 is a tough one, though. I'm not sure what to do for him (except maybe pajama bottoms to wear when he starts college next fall--he sleeps "au naturale" now, LOL!)

Oh, and except for the topsy turvy doll pattern and chef's coat pattern that I bought a few years ago, I was able to find FREE patterns and/or instructions online for everything.

 I can't wait to see what everyone else is doing--and maybe steal a few ideas!

(((HUGS)))
Diane

Anonymous

That's what I am looking to do ... but I am not artsy craftsy.

I am making my dad a calendar. I do that every year with photos I've taken and some I've had emailed to me. I put everyone's birthday on the calendar and for some, the age they will be. 

On his day, I put, "YOUR BIRTHDAY.  Age: too many to count but way over 1/2 century"

On his wife's I put "Sue's birthday. Tell her she doesn't look a day over 40"

and then for the grands and me and my sis I put our ages we are turning.  When we turned 10, it was a decade, 20 it was ANOTHER decade.  At 11, it was double digits, at 25 he called us and told us we were 1/4 of a century.  We make sure to return the favor, especially when he turned 50!  (my dad is only 20 years older than me)

marejo

What a wonderful, refreshing thread you started.  I love it!!!  Although my husband and I both have jobs and thankfully have not been too "touched" by the economy in a personal way, Christmas surely isn't about all the "stuff" and teaching your children that is so refreshing.  We live in a very materialistic world and people are often times so busy trying to impress and show themselves to the world as something other than who they really are that humbling oneself and not being too proud to admit it is so good to hear.

Thank God for people like you and your kids truly are fortunate to have parent's like you.  God's gift at Christmas can't be bought with money or things - our salvation through His Son Jesus - is a free gift and that's the only thing that matters in this world we live in.

I am thanking God for your humble hearts ....

Love to you,

Mary Jo

mke

I gotta say I like the kid going to his room to play with his new socks.



Mine know they will get socks and underwear, they can pretty much count on it. But since they have been buying their own and working outside in the Canadian winter those wool socks and thermal undies are looking pretty good to them.



I've picked up a few toys, big kid toys. But I'm going to be concentrating on quality stuff and as far as possible made in N. Amer. quality stuff. I have some flannel to make lounge pants from - I just need to get to it.



And I have a plan to make a little book for each kid of the story of his life as only I know it. What he was like in utero and as an infant, the funny things he did as an infant and toddler. I didn't do baby books, all the guys got teeth, etc. at around the same time. But I remember wonderous things about each of them and if I don't write them down those things will be gone with me. I've started but it's hard - you remember a lot once you start. And I would like to scan some pictures of the relevant times in them too. There is about zero chance I will finish this by this Christmas but maybe by next year.

LuAnnH

as another mentioned I have been fortunate enough that the econmy has not affected my ability to give my kids a nice holiday.  Although I knew I would need to budget this over months because of going on disabiltity.  took advantage of my stimulus check to purchase alot of it.  Although I must say my kids are used to opening lots of gifts, clothing , games, you name it all the stuff they normally get.  but this year there is no fluff, just the one major gift and the possiblity of something small like baseball hat or calendar.

But knowing how hard off so many are this year I have gone out of my way and got lots of names off giving trees buying gifts for children and adults.  I for the most part have always had a good xmas no matter how hard my parents had to work and save to make it happen and have somehow managed to do that myself.  As I said this year is much slimmer but I am taking some of the xtra money I could buy them stuff they would through in a corner to help those really affected by this economy.  One little girl only wanted a hat, scaft and mittens.  I hope she will be delightfully surprised with her xtra gifts along with her sensible request.

I strongly suggest that those in the position that can add fluff things to thier families xmas that is not necessary to look at these families and children that really need the help providing in thie terrible economy.

Diane, all the homemade gifts you are making do mean a whole lot more than anything you can buy in a store.  I think you were just looking for a way to clean out your craft/hobby area! 

Anonymous

Praying, I am glad that I am not the only parent saying that ...  last year I had to explain it to her the same way.  It breaks my heart, like your was, when she goes to school and knows that her Xmas was so different.  But at least this year, we still have our house, mortgage is paid and I tell her we have ENOUGH... enough food for today and can see we have enough for the week ... our house is not burnt down like some of our neighbors ... we have clothes ... our car works and we'll survive another year!

roseg

Look over the things in the cookbook and be sure that you have all the stuff for something easy in it so you can try it out that day. When I was slightly older I liked to make muffins and banana bread. The family joke was that I never followed the instructions.

I like waiting to open the presents almost as much as the presents. So I try to have fancy wrap and make them look wonderful. I like many small presents more than one big one.

With my kids I always want them to be happy and get what they want. If I can I like to recycle. We have an iPod shuffle at our house that's been a present 3 times.  My Mom is a book buyer so sometimes if I want a book she's already got it and will wrap it up again.

kbugmom

My kids are all grown and I have three grands. I have scrimped and saved all year. Just spending less and not feeling guilty. I am trying to teach my grands they get so much from all the grands,aunts, uncles, and santa and are really overly blessed. All the lil ones birthdays start right after christmas. For that they get money for there savings. It is important to teach kids all over that they get so much and some kids get lil. We can have kids give to children charities like cancer causes, shriners kids, and such.

I love about the socks what a wonderful funny memory. Even though your son was not happy at the time.Thank you for starting this thread.

Anonymous

Rose, THAT is a great idea and can even be one of the gifts!!!!!!!  I can stash it in the cabinet and have it ready for her to make!!

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Just so you know:  I FEEL LIKE A ROCK STAR!!  I kept my budget and am $2.00 under!!!  I went to Goodwill again and found a cozy sweater, you know the longer waisted, longer sleeves, little bit tight turtlenecks?   Got it for $2.00!  I got her some much needed longer t's today that I gave her today that she loved, I picked those up for a few bucks.  But then as I was leaving, I saw Game Stop!

At Game Stop they sell USED Nintendo games and Wii games. Told the mgr my budget and he said he had a niece the same age and he helped me.  I scored big time and got her the Disney I-sing.  It's all her faves ... High School Musical, Hannah Montana.  Then when I asked how many microphones, only one was included ... he told me another would cost $29 or 39??  I said no, oh well.  Then he said he had a used one for $10!  I almost jumped up and down, well, I did one jump.

I also got her a used Mario Kart for her DS and used Narnia DS game (hello $9)  and it's all returnable til 1/15 if she doesn't like it.   I know Mario Kart is good .. we have it for the Wii.

So, 3 games, an extra microphone so we can play together ... the sweater .. and I am all done shopping.

Got my girlfriend her b-day present and xmas present at Hallmark.  I always get her Holiday decorations ... so this year I had them set aside T-day stuff for me so it would be on sale after T-day.  So it was 1/2 off.  

All done shopping ... finishing dad's calendar and have to mail my mom's ornament and YIPPEE FOR ME!! 

LuAnnH

Rock, is she into the sims stuff?  I got sim city for the DS and I can't figure it out to save my life.  If your daughter will use it I'd be happy to send it to you.  Also have a CSI game I am having a hard time with.  I think I learned that I can't play those games on the DS  LOL, just PM if you think she would like those games

LuAnnH

Just a thought maybe people can post items they have that are in good condition that they want to get rid of that may help another person out.  I listed the two DS games I will not use that may help some child have more of a xmas.  As I think about it I can look around and bet I could find more stuff that may be suitable for younger kids that are laying around collecting dust.

If others list stuff like that maybe we all can get things we need for our families this way. Kids don't always care if something is new, as long as it is in decent condition and usable they are usually thrilled.

Mary-Lou

I will buy for the grand children only this year.

My husband will be laid off around January 20th. A hit because of the auto industry. He is a melt supervisor for the Intermet Corp. (plant that makes parts for ford.) He has worked  there for 18 years.

He did say there may be a slim chance of staying, but not to count on it.

I don't work anymore b/c of the neuropathy in my hands and feet.

To me it is about the reason for the season, which so many put on the back burner. And the wonder of Christmas seen through the eyes of a child.