hard times

I have not spent no where near as much on presents as I normally do. In past years I have absolutely skint myself buying goodies for family but 1) I just cannot afford to do that this year and 2) I found that being generous is not always appreciated. Anyway I saved all my change in jars from last year and this november I counted it all up and banked it and that was my budget for the whole family and you know I have stuck to it and not spent a single penny more and to be honest I still managed to get some nice presents. As for food, well I save up for that all year too and so I don't really have to cut down on that as it is already paid for by the time xmas arrives.

i tend to shop all year round for christmas presents so it doesnt cost as much at this time of the year. plus, we got about $1,700 given to us from different places at our church and that has really helped with bills and whatnot. (hubby has been unemployed since august.)

This year is pretty well the same as all the other Christmases except for the fact I gave this year to a charity, something I could not really afford to do other years.. In the town, I live in and also the previous ones, I have received a hamper just before Christmas, it would have a turkey, and a lot of different food especially canned, and a present or two.. However, this year I gave a turkey and 4 boxes of food to the charity.. This is our first year here in this town, we just moved here 5 months or so ago, so it was nice to give something in return..

We've spent all we're going to spend except for $20.00 for two hair cuts for a family member. We don't really have bills to pay, just money to save, so we can spend as we wish, though we're trying not to so we can get used to having to pay bills when we do start having to sometime this year.

Hi my friend, Yes, Christmas is a time for giving and unfortunately too many people think that that is all there is for Christmas. This Christmas will be very different for me than in years past as my husband and I separated last month. He lives in an apartment not far from me and I live with my five dogs, chinchilla and leopard gecko. Since the money has been split, we don't have much money left for gifts as such. All I have is my social security and a little I get from his parents, but that money has to be used for bills and food. The dogs won't be getting their stockings as usual, no new treats and no new beds for the two little ones. There is no tree at my house, in fact, if you went in my house, you wouldn't even know it was the holidays. Hubby usually goes up north for Christmas dinner and I stayed home the last 5 or so years, because the dogs couldn't be left for that long unattended. This year, he has no money for gas, so he will be staying here for Christmas too. We thought about getting together for dinner at a restaurant, but it appears nothing is open that day. I guess we'll both just eat frozen dinners at home. I don't even know where I'll find the money, and if I can, to give my son for Christmas. He is 27 years old and I think it's about time he figured out that money doesn't grow on tress and this year, there will be no gifts. Oh well, it's just this year. Who knows what next year will bring. I'm always hopeful. Happy MyLotting! Char

Hi winterose Yes I have cut back on several things. I have downgraded our cellphone plan, I started buying off brands products that work the same as brand, and we eat less on fast food. We use to eat out every weekend at least twice but now it is just once. I have cut back on the amount of gifts that I have purchased for my grandkids. Well no wait..I have bought cheaper gifts then what I usually do. How about you? Have a nice day and keep smiling dear.

We answered this question, now it is your turn to answer :-) Will you be cutting down on things or has things improved for you?

In our family we decided a few years ago to stop gifts for the adults and only give to the children. You have no idea much much pressure that took off all of us. Since there are only two small children and one teenager in the clan, it is not too stressful. The teenager usually gets a card with a bit of money in it, which is much appreciated. I buy a little hostess gift for the relative who hosts a brunch, this year a jar of fancy dip and we all bring a dish to the house of the person who hosts the big dinner. The host family prepares the turkey and gravy, one relative brings the veggies all cut and prepared to be cooked, another brings a glazed ham with pineapples, ready to be heated, another brings the dessert. As for myself I find great satisfaction in giving something back to society at this time of the year and think of people who are less fortunate than myself. I volunteered 2 afternoons in December at the Central Foodbank in Toronto. This is a huge complex that prepares and distributes food to all the foodbanks in the city. One afternoon we bagged hundreds of bags of milkpowder. This last Friday we bagged onions and carrots into 5 lb bags. Not the most glamorous work and it gave me a good feeling and I got to interact with all kinds of interesting people.

We are spending less, but all the gift cards I have gotten for doing surveys and things online have definitely helped. We are concentrating on our kids and grandson. We have cut down on other family members.

The Presents have been cut down on now as I just can not afford it and the Children are fine with it as they are both Adults and realize themselves it is not possible

JUst buy for the grand kids have had to do that the last couple of years!

This year, I have cut back on the spending and at the same time on the stuff that I purchased for my kids. My oldest wanted a coat and I was able to get one at a nice price. At the same time, I was able to get my youngest something that I hope will help her in school with her reading at a really good price. Normally these two items would have cost me $120, but I was able to get them with tax included around 65. Coupons helped me out big time this year. Can't forget Black Friday, I was able to get my mom new containers for 7 bucks. When it comes to Christmas dinner, we will be spending it at my parents home, so left overs will be great. Plus my dad had one of his bulls killed, so we will be bringing home a lot of beef to last us for awhile. It's fun to give, but it's smart to save money while your doing it.

I find that Christmas has become a time for gift giving even though it should not be! I would much prefer if Christmas was marked by quiet reflection instead of noisy celebrations. This year ironically i have to buy more presents because of friends' children. IT's nice to give gifts and see the joy on children's faces, but I wish more emphasis was given to the real reason behind the season, that is the gift of Christ.

yeah cut down, give cheap chocolats to everyone, the important thing in xmas is the dinner and the meeting of the family :)

Every year at Christmas we tend to get one gift for the adults. Last year they all got coffee from Second Cup (I hung around the one here in Guelph so much I was starting to get the employee discount! LOL) and this year, a friend of ours published a book, a really good one too, and we happened to have gift cards from Amazon. If we are able to get gifts at a reasonable pice that are great for the recipients, we will buy in large quantites, and share it all around, to save money, and make sure that everyone gets a gift.

Hello again, actually we never celebrate Christmas that's why I never would have a problem in budgeting for presents and gifts...thanks.. Mobhomeir here