what to do about xmas

[luckyleftyme2]

I have told my children and grand children to make their xmas cards on line.
for my children I told them to limit their gifts to their children to less than $50 per child. for the rest of the family a picture of their family taken by them and processed on their computer. to refuse to charge. for my wife and I need no trinkets.
a family picture will do us fine. my wife and I will spend a $1000 for all our family;
$4000 less than last year.
I want to send a message to our businesses and our representatives(esp. our senators in Maine) that business as usual is off limits.
It's time we send a message with our pocket book!

trickle down never worked ! and your now going to live the proof.

[phantom power]

1. Our nanny announced that they were planning to give no gifts this year.

She was apologetic, and I'm like "no need to be apologetic to us." Like we need more useless crap anyway.

Anyway, signs of the times. Not good.

[MaryEllen9399]

2. the only expensive gift i'm getting this is for my husband

He is getting an xbox. He has been a great husband to me and he deserves it. Even though I have credit cards, I am going to save for it and pay with my debit card (just like cash).

[bbgrunt]

3. give gifts of food.

[Indenturedebtor]

4. I haven't been able to afford any gifts for anyone for about 3 years

I am completely unappologetic about it though. My family understands. :shrug:

They don't need plastic crap to know that I love them.

[Skidmore]

5. We're making things by hand this year.

I just made placemats for my grandchildren by laminating a picture each of them drew after backing it with fabric and putting a photograph of each of them on the back side so it can be flipped over. Gave their mommy a little quiet time while they drew their pictures, let me use up some craps of fabric and odds and ends, and it's personalized to each of them.

Now, I'll sew PJs for them, and make a quilt for the baby.

[cali]

6. why should christmas be a big blowout spending spree?

For years now, I've made gifts and bought things second hand. Last year I spent under 100 bucks for the fifteen people I bought gifts for. I made my son a gorgeous terrarium out of a piece of slate pieces of glass. I made lots of apple maple butter from my apples and green tomato chutney. I bought used books and other used items. It's just not necessary to spend a lot of money.

[dysfunctional press]

7. what right do you have to tell your children how much to spend on THEIR children...?

isn't that their decision to make? :shrug:

[cherokeeprogressive]

8. Christmas is not about gift giving for us and never has been.

No one has to make apologies if they can't afford gifts because none are expected. Being together as a family is enough of a gift for us.

[kenny blankenship]

9. We can all sing "Fah who for-aze! Dah who dor-aze!"

[paparush]

10. Volunteer at a soup kitchen.

Maybe they'll save you a place in line.

[Bake]

11. I'm not "trying" to send a message

But it's just a sad fact. Christmas is going to be slim this year.

Bake

[RaleighNCDUer]

12. My family's been having "recycle xmas" for several years.

All gifts must me home made or be 2nd hand - regifting is allowed, but the preferred mode is to browse garage sales, thrift stores for those odd items that really 'fit' the intended vict... er, recipient. Keeps costs way down, is much more personal than junk from wallyworld.

Additionally, we don't 'wrap' our presents. Using recycled clothing, sheets, Royal Crown bags we make/use reusable drawstring bags for the gifts. We use last year's cards, cut down, as the source for tags.

It's all about the gathering, the feasting and the board/card games after, anyway.

[redwitch]

13. Although we have consistently cut back over the last few years

we will still give gifts this year. We will buy from small local stores who are struggling. I am a sales rep for beautiful, fair trade and American made jewelry, scarves etc. The stores I sell to are owned by families and individuals, with a few museums thrown in. They are good people with mortgages, children just like you and me. They support me in my work and I want to support them as best I can.
We are all in this together. I may make cookies for some, I always give nice candles and of course, some of the products that I sell. I hope my stores make it through this because I have kids and a mortgage and if my stores don't make it, neither does my family.