were all short on money this christmas

We have never really spent a lot on Christmas gifts, so I won't be changing that, even though DH has been laid off for quite some time and we're living on just my income. In my family, we have never really gone overboard buying expensive or multitude gifts. I don't pay much attention to the price, I just give something that I hope the recipient will like, but I probably spend an average of $20 per person. One way that I save money is that I wait until right about now to cash in at the survey and rewards sites that pay in GCs. I give $10 gift cards to my employees.

well fortunately for me, i shop all year round for christmas so i have quite a few things already. unfortunately, hubby lost his job in august so christmas will definitely be smaller this year. i am making a ton of presents this year so that will help!

I start to buy gifts early and keep an eye out for sales and good deals. It's amazing what you can find when you really watch and have the time to shop a little at a time. I keep a special Paypal account where I put all the rewards programs money and leave it there until I do start shopping for Christmas. It amounts to quite a bit over a year's time.

hello Swadey, you are so right. maybe instead of buying each for the family, i've been thinking to maybe i can give a gift for the whole family. this way it can be cheaper and easier to buy. anyway it's the thought that counts.

I will not be short of money this Christmas because I don't have money for Christmas. I've been out of job for many months now and my savings have dwindled. Earnings on mylot is very small. Although there are still ways to celebrate the holidays meaningfully and nice too without being extravagant. Who knows? A miracle might happen then I would have money for Christmas.

I am going to give gifts to people who really matter.I will save some portion of my 13th month pay.I will buy clothes for myself at vintage,secondhand shops.I will buy gifts for people in my list that they can really use.

well i knew that this year wouldnt be a good one come christmas there is just so much that goes on other then the holidays areound the hoilidays in my family. I have a set of twin grandchildren turning 2 13 days before christmas and another grandchild turning 2 16 days AFTER christmas, i have a grandchild turning 9 the end of october and a grandchild turning 5 at the end of november. not counting other things that i have going on as well. SO what i did was i started shopping right after christmas... target and toys r us have sweet clearance deals target has there 75% off toy clearance 2 weeks after christmas and every february toys r us has there green tag sale which is 50% off items already 50% off or more. So the grandkids are pretty much covered, as far as the older ones my children husband mother etc, i shop throuhgout the year ill try to get at least TWO people a present a month.. i save the good stuff until the black friday sale and i just order that stuff onlune and do site to store most places have that now that way i am not stuck in those crazed people packed lines ! Good discussion! happy mylotting

Well its a bit late to tell you my secret now but perhaps you can use it for next year?! In January anything christmassy that you need get in the sales you save a fortune! For example decorations, novelties and maybe even a new tree if you dojnt have a real one. Then buy little things throughout the year and put them in a christmas box (or 10). When it comes to christmas you have lots of gifts and you just have to work out who to give them too! It works out much cheaper and you will not notice buying small things or even big things that are on sale! I hope this helps you out for next year, I have been ready since about March lol! Happy myLotting!

Christmas had been a time of celebrating the birth of the Christ child for me. There were Christmases when my extended family gathered together and exchanged gifts. There were also Christmases when there were no families to gather because many had gone to other countries. Yet the warmth of Christmas remains through the telephone calls and the Christmas cards and the online chat... It feels good if we could still shop for someone we love and hand it to them personally on Christmas day. In my family, a box of scented soap or chocolates, a pair of new stockings, an inspirational book usually suffice our ecstatic Christmas mood. So long as we have gifts, we are happy.