I start shopping in June for Christmas...We buy the grandkids pajamas and one big thing they really want...(not that they need it but just want it...)My kids get money for Christmas,they are happy with that...We don't buy for hubby's family or mine...
I do alot of baking...and the kids all get Christmas cakes,whipped shortbread,haystacks,almond butter crunch and pumpkin bread...along with homemade sweet butters...
Smiles & hugs...
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Last edited by BuddyBeanieBaby; 12-21-2008 at 11:00 AM.
i have spent the same as i have every year i only have 4 newphews so they get $50. oo every year regardless and on my side of the family we pick names on thanksgiving and spend around $50.00 and for my hubby's side there is only 3 so we buy for each other brian and i go together and get them something more together as for my hubby i try and get hime some stocking stuffers and something he really wants and he usually gets it so about the same each year. also i start to pick things up early in the year because people give out lists and i keep them and when it is there birthday i buy want is on the list , happy holidays
The way we are doing the White Elephant gift is to pick something we have already that we don't want anymore that the other person would like. I regifted several books some I had read and others I hadn't that I added to the small gifts that I had purchased earlier in the year.
We went to DH's Christmas party at work last night. The way they worked it was each person drew a number. Then you sat in a circle in the chair according to your number. Person # 1 went to the gifts & chose one & opened it. Person # 2 could either take that gift or choose a different gift. It went around the circle. If the gift you received was taken from you, you could choose another gift or take the gift back. If a gift was taken for the 3rd time, it was considered frozen & couldn't be taken again. It was alot of fun. I ended up with a cute cookie jar. DH ended up with a pair of binoculars.
Chinese Auctions work like this.
Say you are at a basket bash, they take numerous baskets and add to them. EX-a Pittsburgh Steelers basket would have in it-a poster, trading cards, gloves or ball cap with Steelers Logo on it. Note cards, pencils.
In fromt of the baskets are smaller baskets, you purchase tickets for the prize basket and place them in the smal basket. At the designated time the tickets are stirred and one is drawn. That ticket wins the basket and the goodies inside.
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We are both retired now snce I retired this year, so funds are not as plentiful as before. I have still tried getting some nice things for the grandchildren by internet shopping and watching for bargains. We have cut back on the amount we spent on our grown children and my husband and I got very little for each other this year, although the last few years we bought nothing for each other. I am still having a lot of food for Christmas day and throughout the New Year because our family will all get together for the holidays. Each family brings a covered dish, so that helps alot.Will really miss my Christmas bonus this year from work, but God will supply all our needs. My mother-in-law is the only parent we have now so we do our best for her. She will be 90 soon so never know how much longer she will be with us. We have our family, health and the Lord Jesus in our hearts, don't need anything else.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. God Bless! Shirl43
I didn't cut back at all this year. I save all year long so that when Christmas comes I can splurge. I am already saving money for next year. So we'll have the same kind of Christmas. It's the one time of the year I look forward to being able to splurge and shop, shop, shop!
Merry Christmas to all of you.
Felicia
__________________ ♥Don't let the shadows of yesterday spoil the sunshine of tomorrow. Live for today.♥
I am a bargain shopper, so I usually shop very early for gifts. This year I have made alot of gift baskets. I made carmel corn, chex mix, and Holiday blessing mix, and put in decorative bags and made little gifts for many of the adults and my daycare parents. I had simple double sided ornaments made for my daycare children. My oldest 3 children (21, 19, 15, & 2 yrs), don't really ask for much anymore, and they are aware of the cost of everything. We usually give them money and me and the girls have a shopping day after Christmas.
I hope everyone has a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
)My kids get money for Christmas,they are happy with that...We don't buy for hubby's family or mine...
We are both retired now snce I retired this year, so funds are not as plentiful as before. I have still tried getting some nice things for the grandchildren by internet shopping and watching for bargains. We have cut back on the amount we spent on our grown children and my husband and I got very little for each other this year, although the last few years we bought nothing for each other. I am still having a lot of food for Christmas day and throughout the New Year because our family will all get together for the holidays. Each family brings a covered dish, so that helps alot.Will really miss my Christmas bonus this year from work, but God will supply all our needs. My mother-in-law is the only parent we have now so we do our best for her. She will be 90 soon so never know how much longer she will be with us. We have our family, health and the Lord Jesus in our hearts, don't need anything else.
Shirl43 
