How can I spend less on Christmas?

Question

My husband and I both have large families. We have a total of 36 family members (not including each other or our daughter) to buy gifts for. This is parents, grandparents, siblings, and childrens gifts. Even if I only spend $20 per person, that adds up to $720 and I would like to spend a little more on my parents. How can I decrease the spending without seeming cheap or like I don't care. I just don't think Christmas should cost so much. No one else seems interested in changing things other than a few family members who are struggling just to have food and a home (they have already said they aren't buying gifts at all). I did consider giving a very nice Christmas gift to the least fortunate ones in the family and giving everyone else a card stating I had made a donation to charity for them. Any other suggestions?

A lot of people are suggesting drawing names which we do on my dad's side of the family for the adults but even there each person still buys their own parents something, my grandmothers name is never included in the drawing so we each get her something and each of the kids. So that adds up to my dad, stepmom, grandmother, the name I drew, the name my husband drew, and 5 kids. That's 9-10 gifts, depending on whether I get my dad and stepmom something together or seperate. Then we still have my mom's side of the family and my husbands family. I only have one sister so drawing names with her wouldn't do much good.

Answer 1

Tell everyone that you are sick.





Too sick to shop?

Seriously, a really neat gift for just about everyone is a jigsaw puzzle related to something they (personally) enjoy. Sports, trains, flowers, beach fronts, kittens, dogs, antiques, the list goes on and on. (Jigsaw puzzles are really cheap $1.99 ) With each present, provide a note that says, "We couldn't afford much, but we had the time to think about you and as you know we love you. Merry Christmas"

I know it will work. Because, I just thought of the idea, and I am crying with a joyful feeling in my heart.

May God bless you for your honesty.

Answer 2

Since your family is so big, why not have a Secret Santa instead. Each family member draws the name of someone else with a list of things they like. Then they only buy for that one person. But if no one is willing to change, that wouldn't work obviously.

Either limit who you buy for or make your spending limit lower. Buy group gifts for married couples instead of for each person. Another option would be to have your own celebration at home and send cards to everyone else and give your parents a nice gift, especially since the others seem to be selfish from what you mentioned.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Get your family members stuff from the dollar store.... Like get your parents and your kids and husband....... more expensive stuff not from the dollar store.... they wont know the difference I mean its the though that counts.... Christmas isnt all about giving gifts!! Maby also try talking to your family and seeing if you can d a drawing like you put all your names into a hat (or something) and pick a name and thats who you buy for then you can spend more money on 1 person 4 the perfect gift unsted of spening that money on 36 people make sense?? Hope this helps!!

Answer 4

I like your idea of only giving to the ones in the family that need something. It's not all about giving and spending. That is what the media wants everyone to believe 'cause it's good for retail. You have your own immediate family to buy for ( you, hubby and daughter). Another idea is baking some cookies. Big lots and the Dollar Tree both have decorative tins and boxes. Fill some up with cookies(slice and bake, or if you bake go for it ) and pass those out as gifts. Focus on your own family because when it's all over what's really going to count is the happiness with your daughter and husband.

Answer 5

My job offers a Christmas Club, that's how I was able to get all the gifts I wanted to give, and also I do after Christmas shopping and store gifts for next year, sometimes I even look through my gifts and give it as a Birthday present. You can also give group gifts, like a couple of games for children, or a family gift for one household ( a bucket of popcorn) one gift for a husband and wife (a bottle of wine) remember it's the thought.I like how someone said put a Christmas picture in a card, I think I'll use that idea.

Answer 6

Well, I think you should make an effort to buy toys for children. It's such a great time of the year to be a child, and I think kids feel left out if they don't get any presents.

However, I don't really encourage gift giving among adults. My family decided that since we live in different parts of the country, and Christmas is the only time of year we're all together, we'd rather just be with each other than go hassle with the malls.

Perhaps feelings are similar in your family? Bring it up. You might be surprised.

Answer 7

I think your idea of giving to the ones who really need it and giving a card to the others is the best idea,your are helping Family,which should come first. Or you could just hold a potluck meal at your home in which everyone could bring something and that way it is shared by all and nobody gets embarrassed or hurt in any way. But I still think your idea of giving to the Family members who need help would be the best gift you could give anyone. God Bless and Merry Christmas

Answer 8

You should get together with your family and decide as a group. Set spending limits or start a new tradition like making each other gifts. It should not be the amount of money spent , but the amount of thought put into the gift that matters most. Merry Christmas.

Answer 9

When hubby and I were military we told everyone us being there at Christmas was a gift (round trip total for food, fuel, lodge was right at 1000.00) so we would go get the cheap pics done at walmart a few months prior and include them in a card. Everyone was happy.

Then while pregenant I told everyone, I couldn't shop (due dec. 11th) so I got hubby and son together and we made everyone cookie in a jar gifts and i got a great deal on kitchen towels and wham everyone was happy once again.

This year money is tight for a few families so we decided buy for the little ones and do a gift exchange. But as a surprise for the three families that are struggling (we help out as much as possible any way) we are all bringing stuff for the house (towels, candles, food, blankets, used movies-new to them) and putting them in a big box to give them as a gift from all of us. Only one couple put up a fight and they quickly shut up. But it is better to help those who need it not spend on those who don't.

If you want to get mom and dad something special then send them to lunch or early dinner at their fav. restruant mid Jan. and go over and fix up their room with candles and snacks and (books movies) and leave them a note to enjoy the evening (you could put new sheets and comforter and pillows on the bed) then bring them breakfast ala carte in the morning. That way you can give them something and they will enjoy it and its not eating your xmas budget.

Answer 10

So easy, we do this now...

We only buy for the kids. For the adults we do a one gift exchange based on a theme. Last year was our first year and the theme was 'entertainment' - movies, dvds, books, art, etc.

We kept it broad. This year we are doing 'something that I like' - which is still very broad but could be anything.

We keep it roughly $20-40 on the gift. I have not been physically there so I mail mine, and when the gifts are picked or drawn by number, than each person gets one, and mine has been mailed back to me.

I think it's rather fun.

Answer 11

Check to see if people in the families would be willing to draw names. That's what our family did when it got to be sooooooo big. We all buy for the kids, but we draw with the adults. Another fun thing is to do a white elephant gift exchange. The number of gifts you buy is the number of gifts you receive. Those can be a blast!