Are you buying less gifts this year for economic reasons this Christmas?

Things are pretty tight around my place this year so I really cut back. I was fortunate enough to have a lot built up at Amazon so I could buy gifts there. I have cut back on many things that doesn't pertain to Christmas too. I am like you, I made a lot of my gifts.

Actually, that was last Christmas and the Christmas before that - we severely cut not only the amount of gifts given but also the number of people to whom we gave gifts. We do not really have any more money this Christmas than we did the past two Christmases, but I do not see our financial situation getting any better in the near future. Therefore, if we keep putting off getting things and giving things, then we may never be able to exchange gifts until the little one is grown, so we might as well do a little more now and enjoy it while we can, because we do not know what the future holds for us.

HAPPY SAT., MARG. i HAVE SPENT TOO MUCH AS USUAL. I'M NOT ABLE TO GET OUT & SHOP MUCH SO I ORDERED MOST OF THE GRANDS THINGS & I GIVE THE BIG KIDS MONEY. i HAVE COOKED SOME THINGS FOR FRIENDS but don't buy much except for my kids & grands. Guess everyone has had to cut back, i know i have.

Too be honest, I don't like Christmas. Its not factual (even if you believe in god), it has become too commercialized. People often spend money they don't have or can't afford on people they barely like (such as a office co-worker during a secret Santa), or don't associate with much (like cousins you haven't seen in 10 years). We generally don't do much for Christmas. Very rarely do we send cards or give gifts. I personally don't care for when people give me gifts. I'd rather them keep their money and use it toward bills. Not that I am not grateful that I get presents, I just think the money should go to more important things. This year especially doesn't feel like Christmas. Its still warm out, hasn't snowed, and I've only had to scrape car windows 3 times. Plus there has been so much going on this year, that no holiday seemed like it existed this year.

I would really want to buy gifts for my nieces but the problem is I am on tight budget. I can't able to accommodate them all so what I do is that every year I give them gifts each only during their birthdays. I think it is a good idea.

i said that one give to every member of the family it fine. if they don't like it or wanted something else, they sould save some money or get a job and just buy what they want them self.

I am buying less gifts this year not because of economic reasons, but rather most of my family are living overseas. My mother passed away this August, so my brothers have decided to visit her sister who lives in Florida which leaves me alone this holiday season. My aunt who still lives here doesn't really need anything material, so I am making a home made card for her because I know that she appreciates this more. Last year, I also did not splurge much on gifts or the years before that. My family likes food more so instead of buying clothes or jewelry or gadgets, they would like a home-made dish instead that we can share on Christmas day. I'm usually in charge of desserts because I know how to bake.

yes we are and because we havent used credit cards for years, we havent been spending as much in the past anyways. i shop all year round so i oftenget good deals throughout the year but right now, i will be buying less.

Sadly for several years now we've bought fewer gifts and sent fewer Christmas cards for the exact reasons you mentioned. Hubby hasn't gotten a raise in a few years, I only work part time retail so even though I work more hours right now I now have a heating bill to try to pay along with holiday festivities. Leaves many people like myself which comes first the roof over my head or a gift?

I am ready to send a card that says, your donation to the ranch is very welcome this year. Some of the unexpected expenses we had were: The facts of life are there is only so much money to go around and support of our animals comes first. Love and blessings to all.

Hi marguicha, now price hike is serious problem for the common people throughout the world. Income falls in comparison to price. It is a great headache for the low income group people. They have to cut down their expenditure. Like you almost everyone is compelled to cut festival gifts. But you have taken an intelligent way for Christmas gifts.

Oh, uh... I would have wanted to give more gifts this year... but even less gifts I couldn't... I only have "limited resources" in giving gifts... If I know people around me who could afford to buy anything they want...I don't know what else to give... And then the best give I think to give who are less fortunate..the best I could give is small amount of money... That's for them to decide what is the best to buy... or to save them...

Good to know that you can do something for gifts.i don't have a hand for such stuff as much as i like to make at least one. :-( Yes you are right,a lot of people sure will cut gifts cost and quantity this season.And i am one of those people.I am actually planning to buy only 7 gifts this Christmas. One for my,daughter, my husband, my father, my mother,my nephew, my niece and most of all my Granny.The rest i have to save for next year. :-) We will just prepare food for those who will come to our house on Christmas.

I am one of the hundreds who worked for a company that decided to downgrade with no warning and closed our shop. I also am making the few gifts that I am giving. I am also reusing the paper from previous years along with the ribbons and placing them in the bags from last year. I am happy I kept them. Cards will be online only but all and all... I do want to wish all the very best for the season.

well that was my plan, and I told everyone that this was going to be a very light Christmas but I have sort of let thing get out of hand a little and I have spent more than I was going to so I guess next year I am just going to have to tighten the belt a bit.

I pretty much gave up buying gifts a long time ago. I can see it for kids, but I don't go out of my way to spend money on anything any more. I have it available, but it just doesn't feel right to me any more. To me, Christmas is just another day so I don't worry about it like I did when I was young.

I haven't trimmed down my list of friends and relatives to whom I'm giving gifts. I had however cut down on the cost of the gifts I'm going to give. I've actually started doing this since my son started going to school 3 years ago. School fees can really take a big chunk off your budget. I've allotted a maximum of around $5 per gift. Here in my country, that amount can still buy a very decent gift :)

Dear marguicha Well, I had been saving all my income or whatever was left after my expenses since the past several months just to buy my wife a laptop. Finally, we have sufficient to go for a HP i3 model. As we are not Christians, it may not be anything about Christmas but I have no such feelings. I am sure to gift her the lappy and that will also act as a wedding anniversary gift (ours is in Feb). I will have to get her the lappy this month instead of waiting for feb because I know and she too knows that money for us is scarce and if we dont get it used the right way, it will end up in some other way which at least I dont want. I know she is running into problems because she doesnt get much access to the Desktop that we have due to my odd timings of work

Yes, I've bought very few gifts and made the rest with my hands as well. Dishcloths, scarves, hats, and baked goodies. My kids don't need mountains of gifts anyway. We don't have the tree lights on often either, just in the evening.

New Christmas will coming soon, are you ready to buys some decoration light now?