black friday + xmas= no money...

I know the feeling. I too do not have any money and I had sold some of my old jewelry to that Cash for Gold company and all they sent me as a check for $1.77. I had sent them over 20 pieces and that was all I had gotten from them. They claim they pay more money, but I am starting to think differntly. Has anyone had any experience with them? I will be making a lot of homemade gifts this year. I will be making cookies, candy, fudge and bread. I will be painting ceramic ornaments as well.

I never spend a lot of money for Xmas. I have an apricot tree that has ripe apricots on the week before Xmas. I make apricot jams for everyone and put the in recycled jars. I tie a ribbon around the jar and write a card. I also make plants to give. I have cactii. I grow little cactus and make arrangements with 3 or 4 of them in a nice bowl. For the small children I always buy books.We don´t give expensive presents in our faminy, except for one big present for the smaller children.

I have decided to give baked goods this year for Christmas. I bought an 8 pack of bakery bags at a local closeout store for only $1.20. I will buy some pretzels, which are cheap enough, and dip them in chocolate. I will also bake some cookies. Then for each family, I will fix up a little bag and take them as gifts. Last year, I did something similar with sea shells that I found. I was staying at the beach, and I went out on a couple of occasions and picked up sea shells. Some of the kids really liked this more than any gifts that I had given them in the past!