Christmas in coming - stress and debt is rising!
By Lindalinda
@Lindalinda (4111)
Canada
October 26, 2007 5:10am CST
Are you looking forward to Christmas? Do you go all out and charge too much on your credit cards?
A few years ago we decided to do away with gifts to the adults in our extended family, we now buy only gifts for the children. What a relief! The holiday season is so much more enjoyable with trying to get together and catching up with the family. We all have enough pretty bowls, vases, foot baths, pillow slips, note cards and candles.
Now if invited to each others place we bring a small hostess gift, flowers, a bottle of wine or some home made baking. Ah and all the stress of crowded malls and overheated and crowded stores is gone. I already bought three gifts for my little granddaughter and I am basically done except for baking and decorating gingerbread men and Christmas cookies.
I also give money to the Salvation Army for gifts for needy children.
There are other children in the family and I used to spend a lot of money on gifts for them. However, I noticed that it did not matter what I bought, they have and got so many things that the items were left in a corner after about two minutes. So, last year I gave them each a card with some money for their savings account and told the parents to take care of it. I will do the same again this year.
What about you? Do you max out your credit? Do you make your own gifts? Do you just buy gifts that you can afford and pay for?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
29 Oct 07
I think gift giving has gone over the edge. Most people practice instant gratification these days. If they want something...they just go and get it. It's really hard to buy things for people. I know my kids don't appreciate their gifts, I don't know what they want, I don't have a lot of money, what I get is usually not cared for. I'df rather buy a gag gift or something like that.
As for buying for the grandkids...Christmas isn't what it used to be. I rarely see my grandchildren. I don't know them yet I'm expected to choose gifts for them. My kids don't help either by giving me a hint or suggestion. I feel my money is wasted cos, like you, their gifts end up in a pile and forgotten.
I've spent the last couple of Christmases on my own. I don't even get a phone call. If nothing else it lets me know where I stand.
@lucky_witch (2707)
• Philippines
26 Oct 07
Yeah, sometimes christmas can be really stressful when we do not prepare for its coming. As early as this time, I already buy some canned milk, nestle cream that I will need as ingredients in preparing meals for the Christmas eve. I also buy one by one, gifts for the loved ones. I dont want to rush in Christmas season.
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
29 Oct 07
Good idea to start early. I usually do a bit of baking and have started to buy the supplies for it.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
26 Oct 07
We pretty much just take care of our kids first and each other. Then if we can afford it we get something for our parents. Money is really tight these days. The sad thing is, his parents take it personally. If we don't get them something they get upset. My parents completely understand and they are very supportive His mom usually gets us nice stuff, well last year as if to send me a sign that what we got them last year wasn't good enough, she gave me some really crappy things. But boy she got her other daughter in law lots of stuff. I was kind of hurt. atleast we tried to get them something. oh well.
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
29 Oct 07
Ah, don't be hurt. Christmas is about love, friendship, caring for each other and get together. If your in laws don't understand this it is very sad. Since you got some really crappy things why don't you suggest to eliminate gifts for adults, except maybe homemade foods or small tokens. Explain that money is really tight. If they insist that they want to give you gifts, suggest they take the kids for an afternoon or a week-end and tell them a gift of time is more valuable to you than anything else. Good luck.
