I know its a long way off, but how do I cut back on Christmas spending?

Question

We have a pretty big family, and I just feel like we spend way too much money on Christmas presents. Realistically, the kids and everyone we buy for, do not really need anything! You could go Christmas shopping in my kids bedroom and they would never know anything was gone! I just want to celebrate Christmas without spending so much, but how do I let people know that Im not too cheap to buy stuff, I just dont think its necessary. Also, how do I let people know that I don't think we should do a gift exchange with every family we know! Help please!

Answer 1

We have done this on both sides of the family. Now is the time to bring it up. Just say exactly what you just told us. That you kids (along with yourself ) have way too much stuff. Suggest drawing names or suggest that your family go get a couple of Christmas angels off the Salvation Army tree and buy gifts for someone less fortunate than yourself. If this won't work then suggest buying "family gifts" one gift per family (something you can all use - like movie tickets, etc)

Answer 2

During a family get together (maybe this weekend?) mention to the adults that you would like to try something different for Christmas this year. Then have everyone make suggestions- a grab bag for the adults and a gift exchange for the cousins with one gift only for each cousin. (in other words, put all the kids names in a hat and each cousin draws out one name, and that is the cousin they buy for), or a family gift rather than individual gifts. I am sure there are many other people in your family who feel the way that you do, they are probably just afraid to say something.

Answer 3

There are 3 basic approaches (that I know of) to Christmas gifts (and gifts in general): no gift, spend more, or think more.

In other words, if you're giving gifts, it's often the easy way out to spend more, rather than put more time/thought into gifts. Easier, but more expensive and usually less satisfying in the long run (think about the gifts that you remember fondly - they're probably not the most expensive gifts you ever got).

Good gift-giving is more about knowing someone than dollars spent. An example - if someone has three kids, and the kids like to draw and paint, a group gift of art materials can be bought ahead of time, whenever there's a good sale on, and kept in a box until it's gift-giving time. People who like to draw rarely have enough of the good stuff - really good crayons, colored pencils (if they're old enough), good-quality art paper (tracing paper, drawing paper, etc.). Kids who love to draw rarely get nice sketchbooks (they get big pads of cheap newsprint, or old typing paper, which is fine for everyday, but not a drawing you've spent a lot of time on).

To continue with this family as an example, a good Christmas gift might be given ahead of Christmas - materials to make their own Christmas cards, given in November.

Also, the gift of time. People with kids need to Christmas shop. Why not, as your Christmas gift, ask when everyone plans to do their own Christmas shopping, and invite their kids to a party at your place, or to go ice skating, or...? People with kids usually need TIME more than anything else. Go to a "dollar store" for scrapbooks (or inexpensive photo frames). Take pics of the kids at "Uncle Steve and Aunt Rita's Christmas party" - let the adults have some time off and give them the wrapped photo at Christmas of Little Jenny with tempera paint on her nose.

People without kids still need time and attention. For a teen, adult, or young adult, being taken out someplace fun, or nice, and genuinely listened to and enjoyed is a treat. If Grandma is a "girly girl," take her out for High Tea (there are tearooms in most fair-sized cities), dress up. Don't do all the talking - do as much listening as you can. Ask about her life. This would also work for that "girly girl" Aunt, Sister, Mom, Cousin...

Taking the kid who loves sports to a minor league or college game, taking the kid who loves movies to a movie one-on-one, with lunch after to talk about the movie and what's going on in your lives, taking the kids to do something fun while their parents relax or get some errands done,

The best gift we've given lately was to an older relative. We go to her house once a month to do little chores that are too much for her - all those little "tighten this, clean up here where I can't reach" chores that add up.

See what I mean? It's good that you're starting so far ahead. You can create memorable, great gifts if you think, and plan ahead - and get to really know these people. You can even go in with someone else and do it together, sharing the effort and expense.

Answer 4

As far as the gift exchange with other families may I suggest that you use the season to teach your children about giving to the less fortunate. Send and early Christmas card (the day after Thanksgiving) Delicatel stating that instead of exchanging gifts with friends, your family is organizing a donation drive for your favorite charity, like angel Tree, Toys for Tots.

As for your family, if you start looking for unique (so they will remember it) personal gifts now and pay cash, you will not feel so bad for spending (charging) so much in one month.

Answer 5

Christmas is the biggest joke! Don't feel like you have to buy ANYTHING for Christmas!! Our country is so wrapped up in mass consumption during the holidays that it causes people to ASK QUESTIONS LIKE THIS!! If christmas shopping is messing up your budget for necessities, DON'T BUY THE CRAP!! Forget about what your family or friends think, this is your life we're talking about here. If you want to show them you care, give them something they can use. Bake some cakes, pies, or cookies. Unless they are already fat, in that case give them fruit. You could also treat them for lunch and spend time with them. Put some love and effort into it instead of buying the newest, hottest PIECE OF JUNK on the market!

Christmas should be about being with the people you love.

Answer 6

buy gifts all year long and put in a bin labeled christmas. My family is large(catholic) and we dont buy presents anymore unless the child is under age 10. They all know that after 10 yrs of age they dont recieve presents and they can sit at the adult table. It works really well because at that age they want to be grown ups anyway. You just have to be the one to suggest this and you will find that other people agree with you. and have felt this way for some time.

Answer 7

Many many ways. He' just a few tips

1. only buy for kids
2. only buy for immidate family
3. make your gifts
4. draw names/secrete santa
5. $5 limit a card and some scratch off tickets
6. Only buy for adults
7. have a christmas where you don't buy gifts and celebrate the birth of christ.
8. go yard saleing this summer or resale shops and pick up things here and there.

Talk to the family work out details together so NO one has to spend so much. $$$

Answer 8

I gave every one of my nieces' and nephews' a ten dollar gift certificate to the dollar store last year. It was a big hit. Plus I only spent $70 instead of my normal $300. As children get older you can get away with little trinkets of appreciation. As for the adults or just as a big family gift, get baking! I made all kinds of Christmas treats for my mom and sisters and my husband's family. Much appreciated. That's what I would do. Start practicing your sugar cookies now for Easter and they will be perfect by Christmas.

Answer 9

One good way to keep expenses down is to make cookies or treats as gifts. You can wrap them in pretty paper or linens. Generally a recipe makes a few dozen, so it doesn't cost much, but your time. These can also be frozen ahead so you are not doing it all at once.

Answer 10

regift the presents you receive to other people, and make all the presents you buy come from the 99 cent store. your children will enjoy dog chew toys as much as video games, and the hubby will just love 5 pounds of licorice thats only 2 years old. merry xmas you cheap fukc