Money is tight this year for us all. 2 people lost their jobs.
Instead of giving gifts I'm looking for an inexpensive idea that we can turn into a new family tradition.
For example one person said give Christmas ornaments for the tree to each other. Or one friend doesn't trade gifts with her family, they just Christmas stockings.
2007-11-13 02:46:21 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Because I have 8 brothers and sisters plus my hubby's siblings...I make cookie trays. (1 for each family). I bake several different types of cookies & banana bread,cranberry bread & muffins....I purchase those big round plastic plates (with snowmen and other christmas pictures on them), and arrange all the breads and cookies so that it looks fancy, then add a few chocolates and candy canes. I wrap them in cookie bags and put a big bow on them. Every year my family always tells me that they can't wait for there cookie plate!
Total cost is about $30 for all baking supplies, candy, plates, & cookie bags.
2007-11-13 03:00:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A gift exchange is a good idea. In this way each person is obligated to buy only 1 gift. Set a price limit. Each person can write 3 choices down on a slip of paper and then everyone selects.
I also like the idea of exchanging cookies and small gifts (gloves, scarves, etc) Perhaps even exchange services. For example, if someone is good at plumbing, maybe offer services to help fix leaky faucets, etc. Another may be good at cleaning and will offer to clean 1 room or help with spring cleaning.
Set the "rules" up early so no one is disappointed or gets carried away.
2007-11-13 03:42:55 · answer #2 · answered by Lizzie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My husband has a HUGE family and they don't do presents for everyone. They do a white elephant exchange. People re-gift funny gifts, buy small presents (the limit is $10), wrap up something they have laying around the house, etc. Some of the gifts are HILARIOUS. My husband got a roll of toilet paper when he was a kid. Some of them are nice. No one can open their presents til everyone has picked and it is acceptable (and encouraged!) to steal presents from other people! There is an UGLY Mrs. Claus doll that always finds it's way in to the gift exchange and everyone tries to make sure they don't get it.
It's just a fun, light hearted way to do Christmas presents that is really pressure free and cheap! Everyone loves it. :o)
2007-11-13 03:28:15 · answer #3 · answered by superkate54 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try a "Yankee Swap": everyone brings a securly wrapped gift. Everyone picks a number, and, in order, chooses the box they want. Then, starting with the LAST person, everyone gets 1 chance to swap for another box. You can also do a variation where there is an additional round of swapping AFTER the gifts are opened, but I've heard stories where that get's ugly.
Another idea is to do a family "Secret Santa" type thing.
Either way, everyone only has to buy one gift, and you can set a spending limit.
2007-11-13 03:05:46 · answer #4 · answered by Molly B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe something to the effect of every one sitting around the xmas tree, and every one could read a part of the the nativity, or even a play,with family members, kids might like that while they're little. or reading the story,the night before christmas. This was a tough question for me. you can give 1 special present to each family member that has a special meaning behind it. you could also sing christmas carols around the tree and send prayers to all the people who are way more unfortunate than you. good luck. and Merry Christmas.
2007-11-13 03:09:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have some ideas:
limit the amount everyone can spend e.g everyone has to spend no more than £5 / £10 / whatever you decide
secret santa - you put everyones name in a hat and everyone picks out one name and that's who they have to buy a present for. This is fun because no one knows who they are getting a present from! It would be a nice tradition too!
homemade stuff only - creative arty stuff or cooked stuff like christmas tree cookies!
only allowed to shop in poundzone, poundworld, poundstretcher etc and homebargains and try and find the best stuff! good challenge lol maybe a good tradition?!
2007-11-13 03:01:18 · answer #6 · answered by funkygurl123 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that does no longer be any Christmas if there is on present giving. the real Christmas must be on the same day of Easter. The start of Jesus have been replaced by using the old Catholic church homes to rejoice the harvest time and the time for taxation. hence, the Christmas have been replaced to the Santa's day. ( some countries particularly called that day because of the fact the St. Nicholas' day)
2016-10-16 08:58:58 · answer #7 · answered by thorton 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember that family is called family for a reason. If they know your circumstance then they should not expect too very much. If you are a good baker, make your gift a plate of your best cookies or a speciality cake. My aunt Minnie always brings gingerbread men for the kids and mini rum cakes for the adults. We all know she is on a limited income and a plus is "I love her rum cakes".
2007-11-13 03:50:22 · answer #8 · answered by mstaxlady 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, you can get mini keychains or magnets and stuff them into a small bag and give away.
2007-11-13 03:06:20 · answer #9 · answered by Mermaid 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋