How far would you go to save money?

1. 79

   alissarobertsposted 12 years ago

   Since Black Friday is almost upon us, I would love to hear stories of how far you went to save money on Christmas presents. What is the craziest thing you have ever done to save a few bucks?

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      suncatposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The craziest thing to save would be not buy any presents. )))
      
      The next one would be to make them yourself.
      
      And the next one is buy cheap cute stuff and make a gift basket or a box wraping it so it looks like you bought it which is usually veeeeeery expensive but has stuff inside that is pretty ordinary if you take it appart. ,)

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      1. 79

         alissarobertsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I was actually thinking about getting my sister and her boyfriend a basket of goodies together for Christmas. I wanted to include a bunch of the items that I have gotten for free by couponing or paid under a $1.00 for. Like toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc... Is this bad?

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         1. 77

            MarloByDesignposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Great idea...I am going to do that as well!

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2. 60

   SomewayOuttaHereposted 12 years ago

   i went shopping in Mexico last week...saved on the gifts and had a good time!

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   1. 79

      alissarobertsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow that sounds so nice! Treating yourself while saving money on gifts sounds awesome to me!

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3. 60

   GoGreenTipsposted 12 years ago

   Quit buying for Christmas....

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   1. 79

      alissarobertsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That would be the best way to save but I don't know if my 5 and 3 yr old will let me get away with that

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      MarloByDesignposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Agreed!!! Share a great meal together instead!

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4. 90

   JIN1128posted 12 years ago

   buy cheap things from the 99 cents store.  Company culture is to get everyone a small gift in the group for Christmas and new year.  Well, there is 12 people in our group.  That used to cost me a lot of money every year.  From now on, I will have to get stuff from the 99 cents store b/c I am broke.

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   1. 79

      alissarobertsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      This year has been tough on our family too. Trying as we speak to come up with creative ways to save from spending a fortune on Christmas gifts. And I love the dollar store! Especially when filling up my kids stockings!

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      1. 89

         Rochelle Frankposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         With 5 and 3 year olds-- you are getting off pretty easy, it's harder with teens.
         I agree-- for the adults on your list "it's the thought that counts" Small things with a personal touch-- hand crafts, embroidery, baked goods, or a personal poem will be remembered, and express your love.

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         1. 79

            alissarobertsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Oh my I can't even imagine what its like with teens! I always love that my kids usually play more with all the dollar store gifts than the bigger more expensive ones! Hopefully I can by with this for at least a few more years Thanks for your response on the adults. I am def gonna put my plan for the goodie basket in action!

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5. 88

   Victoria Lynnposted 12 years ago

   No, alissa, I don't think it's bad. Our family has had Christmases where we agreed to buy just yard sale gifts. We can get cheap little items that are fun. Have a few drinks, open some silly and cheap little gifts--and my family has a great time without spending money. I don't think people should go into debt for Christmas, that's for sure.

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   1. 79

      alissarobertsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Victoria for your response! My mother assured me my sister would love to have a basket full of goodies but sometimes hearing it from someone else makes me feel better about it

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6. 72

   relacheposted 12 years ago

   The best thing you can do is skip Black Friday.
   
   My family has slowly scaled back our gift giving over the last decade, so that now there are a lot of homemade and personalized gifts.  We're definitely into quality over quantity.

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   1. 79

      alissarobertsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I love that! My mom is really crafty and has made some fantastic things to decorate our house with. I wish I had inherited some of her craftiness! As for Black Friday, if I find some great deals I am going to make a strict list of what I am getting and sticking to it this year. No more going overboard for me

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7. 88

   Victoria Lynnposted 12 years ago

   You're welcome, alissa. And even teenagers that haven't been overly spoiled as children appreciate thoughtful Christmas gifts. At least they did when I was growing up. And my niece seems to feel that way.

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8. 0

   Home Girlposted 12 years ago

   Homemade gifts are the best. It's great if you have time and talents to make something nice. My mom used to knit cute and warm mittens for winter holidays. It was such a nice and useful gift! Unfortunately those mittens had such an elaborate pattern, I never learned how to make them. The problem with expensive gifts,once given - your kids will expect every year the same, may be more. Your attention, your love, your friendship, those things are important, not a price tag. Though retail industry LOVES spenders. Personally I like useful gifts, no matter how small they are! And make your own gift basket, those commercial ones so... empty. With teenages - think about that they want to have, really-really want, and then count your money... and give them a nice birthday present, but Christmas can be very simple with little gifts ideas.

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