Hi--You know how it is in most families, where you spend a certain amount on each person.
This year, I've had to spend less after a big relocation and house purchase, but am afraid people expect the same as before.
I don't know what to say to my family, because I'm not starving in the streets, just a little strapped.
Do I just give the smaller gifts and say nothing?
This one's a toughie... thanks!
2007-12-17 06:59:52 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
I dont think you have to say anything. if they are family they will understand your situation.
Smaller gifts would be fine, remember its the thought that counts.
I am going through the same situation. i just moved across the country and really short on cash. Last year i had a great job in town and was finacially available to "over do" it at the holidays. But my family understands about the move and im sure they will be pleased with what i have come up with.
Most of the things that i have put together i didnt spend more than $20 on any one person, most of them less. i am creative and good at shopping for deals. also i just purchased for the my imediate family and everyone else i made a card to send them.
i plan on making up for the "small" christmas with their birthdays. that will make it easier on my wallet because they are all spaced out.
good luck
2007-12-17 07:14:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You sound like a good person. Christmas is about giving - but it's not supposed to be about 'the biggest or most expensive gift'. Giving of yourself....... being there......... sharing..... laughing..... loving. Don't apologize for your gifts - you're not obligated to buy anything. Give a gift because you truly think it's something the person would enjoy - no matter the size. Just a remembrance. Everybody should scale down and get things in perspective. How about the whole family going to worship together? Give the gift of Praise to our Savior and Lord.
2007-12-17 07:45:12 · answer #2 · answered by Mercedes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just spend less.. that's it! Shop around and bargain shop for things. Target has things on sale all the time.. and you can find a lot of inexpensive things for people. It isn't the amount of money you spend, it's the item! You can do baked goody boxes for people in addition to their gift if you are worried about the gift not being enough.. but like someone stated above.. if someone is upset because they didn't get as much or as expensive of a gift as they "expected" then they didn't deserve it to beging with. Best Wishes!
2007-12-17 07:17:31 · answer #3 · answered by Cupid 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We scaled back last year. My daughters get a gift card from a store they love of $25.00
My 17 year old still gets a 'Santa Christmas' just like the other girls did before they moved out.
When she moved out she will also get a gift card.
Now we concentrate on the grandchildren. After all, aren't children what Santa is all about anyway?
Good Luck
Another solution, Scale back by $5.00 per year until you are comfortable about what you are spending.
Like my mom used to say about Showers and Weddings:
You are givjng them a GIFT not providing them with a complete Christmas/House/Dowry!
2007-12-17 07:05:02 · answer #4 · answered by Titzen_Ash_23 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No one knows or cares how much is spent, right? (At least, that's the theory.)
One thing I've done when strapped is inundate people with lots of inexpensive things -- lots of presents to open, but easy on the pocketbook.
You can talk about how much the relocation and house purchase have made things tough, in the general course of catching everyone up on your news.
You can also make food, and make little individual packages of them, to round out the store bought gifts.
But mostly, don't worry about it. Anyone who expects you to spend X on them is completely missing the point of the holiday.
Everyone who's been around a while knows that sometimes money's tight.
2007-12-17 08:52:12 · answer #5 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I gave up 'gift giving' years ago when my family refused to draw names. With people getting married and having kids, it's just too much. I now bake my gifts. BUT, you might let them know ahead of time. I know one year I was really upset because my husband and I agonized on what to get his brother's family, spent when we didn't have it, only to receive two small loaves of bread and a 'we decided to make our christmas gitst this year." Now, admittedly there was a greater family issue going on there, but the fact remains that I was very upset about that. We could have saved alot of time and money 'reciprocrating' had we known. Chances are there are others in your family ready to cut back but afraid to say anything.
I make these really cool cheese rounds. You can find them on the 'net'. Just google "melt away cheese rounds". You pack them in tins which you can buy or sometimes people have so many left over from year to year, they just give them to you to fill. All else fails, a candy cane on a card at least shows thought. There's also this thing called 'snow man soup' you can put together in ziplocks. You can also google that if you are creative.
Have a great holiday and don't stress over the money.
Jennifer T
2007-12-17 07:16:04 · answer #6 · answered by Jennifer T 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Give them the smaller gift and attach a note or declare to the group: I have really thought about how valuable you are to me. I am giving you this Christmas gift as a token of how special you are. Instead of spending extra money on the gift, I am hoping to spend more time with you this year.
Maybe attach a special invite or coupon for each of those people. "Let's have lunch"
"Watch the game together"
"Rake leaves for you"
" Good for a late night phone call when you need to vent"
2007-12-17 07:05:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
People should not expect anything. You don't need to say anything. If you feel the need just explain your a little strapped due to your recent move and home purchase. Any normal person should understand. Those who don't understand really shouldn't get anything anyway. Its bad when we feel we MUST spend to have a Merry Christmas but we do. I do the same thing every year. Its just one day. Just grin and move on. They will forget all about it by the day after anyway. Just enjoy your Holiday. Merry Christmas.
2007-12-17 07:06:09 · answer #8 · answered by smile4u 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just scale back on the gifts. Anyone who asks why they received less than they were "expecting" is celebrating Christmas in the wrong way. The whole concept of spending like crazy at Christmas is ridiculous.
2007-12-17 07:02:59 · answer #9 · answered by kitchens68 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've had to do that over the years. I grouped gifts-Instead of a gift per person, it's a gift per household. Get one larger gift and a few very small gifts for immediate family members and focus on the big gift. And don't forget to talk about your move and the expenses ;)
2007-12-17 07:24:52 · answer #10 · answered by redplumbbabythumb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋