Do you make yourself a budget or just go out and buy stuff? I love Christmas, but hate it at the same time. We are just barely paying our bills and have a big family so not sure how I am planning on it this year...any ideas...or how do you go about present buying?
2007-12-02 13:45:25 · 11 answers · asked by Sadbrowneyes13 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Duh???? You don't have a budget!!!! I mean come on this is for your family and friends and that is all that matters. You don't even have to get them anything and they will still love you as much as they always did. I mean you kind of have to have a budget over all because you do have to pay bills and other stuff. So save some of your money.... But sice you don't have a lot of money get them something small or nothing at all.
like i said they will still love you. So have a very Merry Christmas.. You will be in my thoughts. Good luck!!!!
2007-12-02 13:54:03 · answer #1 · answered by Lollypop --o 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell your family that money is tight this year, and you can only buy gifts for your children. If you don't have children, then just say you are buying gifts only for each other. They will understand. Everyone goes through times when money is tight, and you are not obligated to buy gifts with money you don't have, and you shouldn't feel guilty or embarrassed about it. The materialism that is Christmas is way out of hand, and I hate that people max out their credit cards to participate in it. Don't let that happen to you. It's not worth it.
If you do have children, you can sign up for Toys for Tots and get them gifts that way. You can also tell your children that Christmas will be smaller than it has been in the past, but that doesn't mean it will be less fun. Continue with your family traditions, and buy what you can afford.
As far as budgeting, I spend $50.00 per close relative (we buy for four people at that amount), and I budget $10.00 for not-so-close relatives that I want to buy gifts for, and that's usually two or three people. That's my budget, and I don't go over it. We don't participate in the family name drawing either. Everyone in the family has enjoyed Christmas and their presents, and I feel good knowing I shopped carefully and thoughtfully without going into debt. Everybody wins.
2007-12-02 22:17:03 · answer #2 · answered by No Shortage 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I make a budget for each person and make an idea list for said people. Then I spend some time looking around online to compare prices and figure out the order of stores for when I go shopping. Then if I'm worried about sticking to what I want to spend I take out the money I'm going to need in cash. And leave my credit cards at home so I'm not tempted. Then I just go to the store and get in and get out.
It sounds harsh, but it's helped me budget my money every Christmas so that when New Years hits, I still have money to buy a good bottle of Champagne.
2007-12-02 21:59:44 · answer #3 · answered by Bridget 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A budget is a must!
Lots of big families are opting to either drop the grown-ups off the list altogether, while some draw names, and some just settle for exchanging with the immediate family and just getting together with the whole family for a meal or some pie instead.
And don't forget about making some homemade gifts too.
Christmas is about the love we have for one another and how we care about each other and where it's nice to hand someone a present that shows those feeling, its not all that important.
2007-12-02 22:06:58 · answer #4 · answered by Linda J 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My situation is somewhat the same. (There's four kids in my)
Usually my mom makes a list of the realatives, teachers, friends, and other people we buy gifts for, then sets a budget for each person, along with a suggestion of a gift.
She makes a second list by store.
ex)
1. Aunt Jill- $40-sweater, scarf, and purse
2. Grandpa-$70-tennis racquet
3. Cousin Samantha- $25- Barbie's elite jet
4. Patricia- boots
5. Tommy- $30-basketball and soccer cleats
6. Jack- talking Elmo
BY STORE
JCPenney's
1. Aunt Jill
2 Patricia
Sporting Good Store
1. grandpa
2. tommy
Toy Store
1. Samantha
2. Jack
Hope that helps. Good luck shopping and Merry Christmas! =)
2007-12-02 22:04:32 · answer #5 · answered by miss brightside 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make a budget.
Instead of waiting until this time of year to buy presents buy presents through out the year that way you don't have the stress of buying them all now. Then by the end of the year you have all your shopping done.
Take advantage of sales, read the sale ads and when there is a sale or a coupon take advantage of sales and coupons.
Use coupons.
2007-12-02 21:56:51 · answer #6 · answered by Silver Moon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I usually budget some money a couple months ahead of time and shop sales.
2007-12-02 21:57:22 · answer #7 · answered by Wantstoknow75 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we have a big family too. and we have a budget like 100 for three and under and 200 and it goes up and up. there are 10 kids total.... so yeah just plan whats good for you!
2007-12-02 21:53:51 · answer #8 · answered by Kieri Baby 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we are pretty careful...we have already ordered just about everything for the kids-money's tight so it will be VERY limited for mrs spike and myself...there's one store i go to every year and i have no idea what i will get there until i 'get there' but it's not Christmas if i don't get her a little something there...and there's a native american gift shop i always go to for a dreamcatcher or something to add to her regalia...
2007-12-02 21:57:19 · answer #9 · answered by spike missing debra m 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wait til right after christmas, and give gifts late. everythings on sale
answer my question!
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071202183716AAEs6aU&pa=FYd1D2bwHTHwLbxgEOM_Qv0Pc8LOB5k.u5aCTg2rFarIuw--&paid=asked&msgr_status=
2007-12-02 21:59:19 · answer #10 · answered by kristayy. <33 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋