Are You Spending More Money This Christmas or Being Conservative This Year?

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   vocalcoachposted 8 years ago

   Are You Spending More Money This Christmas or Being Conservative This Year?
   
   As I understand it, sales are up this year for the Christmas Season.  What about you?  Are spending more money this year or being on the conservative side?

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   fpherj48posted 8 years ago

   Hello Beautiful Audrey!   This lady cut back several years ago after realizing my family was expanding in leaps & bounds!  Not being a wealthy woman, I had no choice.  4 sons, their wives, 12 grandchildren (YIKES!) & one great grandchild. Consider the dollars signs!  My personal Santa lost about 50 lbs!
   
   You know what?  It's not made a difference in any way~~certainly not a negative effect.  About 4 years ago I even chose to NOT shop.  I talked with my sons and we decided together it would be just fine if my gift to them was a check for each family to spend as they saw fit.  What a weight off my shoulders.  2 of my sons & families live out of state and 2 live nearby.  Since all those darlings grow and change and have their "favorite" everything, it makes sense for them to buy what they'd like and what fits them.
   Do I miss shopping?  Not at all.  I've never been a fan of shopping.  This works out so well for me and what young family do we know that would not appreciate a check at Christmas time?
   Most of my peers have shopped online for the past 3 or 4 years anyway! No trudging out in the cold & snow, driving miles, parking spaces, fighting the crowds...Unless someone truly loves the Holiday Shopping experience, online seems the way to go.
   Here's wishing you a wonderful Christmas & a peaceful Holiday Season!

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      vocalcoachposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Paula!  You're a girl after my own heart as they say.  I, too am giving checks for Christmas this year.  It's just all to commercial for this lady.  And as you say, who wouldn't appreciate a check at this time of year?  Love your comments and you!

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   elayne001posted 8 years ago

   This has been an interesting year for me. I still have the urge to shop for the grandchildren, but know it would be easier to just gift them money to buy what they want.
   
   I think I am in transition, since 12 grandchildren and guessing what they want or need can be very stressful, especially the older they get.
   
   The problem I have is trying to be fair in what I buy so no one feels more or less "loved" than the other. What a dilemma!
   
   I could blame the media, including the commercials that blast all day long for two months before Christmas, the multiple tree's worth of adds that come in the mail every day touting sales plus sales on top of other sales, etc. But, I think the secret is to keep focused on the reason we have Christmas - Christ!
   
   In answer to your question, I am being quite a bit more conservative this year than in years past.

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      fpherj48posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Wow!  Elaine, just your 12 & my 12 create an entire classroom of kids!  LOL

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      vocalcoachposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Om my! 12 grandchildren. Those dang commercials, etc. You're right on with focusing on Christ. I like your style Elayne. Merry Christmas!

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   brakel2posted 8 years ago

   I am spending about the same amount but mostly in money gifts. My grands are in their 20s, so it seems useless to shop for them. The rest of the family have received money gifts for some time. I do go a little overboard with  money sometimes and end up feeling guilty, but it is the only time I spend money on my family. Oklahoma has been hit by the oil bust, so  do not think that money galore will be spent on the holidays this year. I do most of my shopping online the year round like many others do. Amazon is my favorite. Merry Christmas.

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      vocalcoachposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Audrey. I like Amazon too. Online shopping is so convenient. My grands are also in their 20s so I send them a check. Good for us!  Merry Christmas to you too dear lady.

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   The Honest Mommyposted 8 years ago

   I am spending less.. All my gift this year were bought on Amazon or Ebay.  So, even though I'm spending less than normal, I am getting more.

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      vocalcoachposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Smart lady!  Amazon and Ebay are life-savers for me. Spend less but get more.  I like that!

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   moonlakeposted 8 years ago

   Buying more this year. Last year Christmas was 9 days after my husband passed away. I didn't go shopping I gave just gift cards. This year I went shopping with my daughter and felt a little better about buying gifts especially for the little ones. I would rather shop online in my pajamas. I get a list from each kid or they would get money or gift card because I have no idea what to buy the grow up kids and the teens in the family.

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      vocalcoachposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      moonlake - Very sorry about your husband. You're an amazing woman.  I'm with you for shopping online in my pj's.  Gift cards are fun as well.  I like "the list" idea. Will use this next year.  Thanks.

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   peachpurpleposted 8 years ago

   All these years, I had been handmade gifts so I am being stingy goat every year

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      vocalcoachposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Handmade gifts are the best!  Next year this is my goal. I'm joining the "stingy goat" club.

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   bravewarriorposted 8 years ago

   I'm not sure if I'm spending more or less, but I am shopping wiser. I just did my Christmas shopping today (for my son). Rather than visit the big department stores, I went to Burlington Coat Factory. I bought him four pairs of jeans, four shirts, and two packages of four gift boxes. My total came to $118 and change including tax.
   
   What I've done differently this year is I paid cash. No credit purchases. That's also a gift to me!

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      vocalcoachposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I'm like you.
      I used to shop at Burlington and miss this store. I'm with you on paying cash. My income is limited so I'm careful about running up debt. I'm an emotional shopper but putting a lid on it. Thanks Sha - Joy to you.

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