Holiday spending

Grandma Nancy · Cub with 3 spots Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 102 HC$ 0.71

Let's see - with 6 children, 4 DILs, 1 almost SIL and 5 grandchildren - YEP! I'd say more - wouldn't have it any other way!!!! shopaholic

Stellaria · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:34 pm Post subject:

Last year, I finally realized that the reason I detest Christmas is bacause I have ALWAYS felt inadequate because I could never afford to get everyone as nice of stuff as they always got me. Just the thought of buying gifts or making gifts for anyone sends me into a cold sweat, and makes me grumpy as all getout. And then, because so many other things are going on around Christmas time, I always felt horrible that I didn't have time enough to go to parties or make lots of cookies or attend performances because every spare moment of my time was spent trying to put together gifts for everyone in my (rather large) family.
So, once I realized that it was GIFTS that were the root of my Holiday Depression (I have seriously had at least one but usually more like 3 sobbing-mess breakdowns every Christmas season since I was about 12 years old), I made the announcement that I would not be doing gifts this year. My only exceptions are putting together a stocking for each of my kids, and participating in the niece/nephew-auntie/uncle gift exchange.

So, all I'm spending this year is whatever it takes to bake all the cookies we're going to bake at my Cookie Party next week. Most definitely less than I spent last year....which we are still paying for this year Sad

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Stell
http://hyenacart.com/FernandFaerie - Sewing and knitting patterns for eco-conscious parents
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Jennisee · Cub with 3 spots Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 113 HC$ 4.29

If we're just talking about gift spending for family and friends, definitely less, so that's how I voted. However, we've donated all the money we saved on gifts, and then some.

AppleSeed · Maxed out Hyena Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 3282 HC$ 19.76

More, but only because I have two more kids LOL

Generally, less. MUCH less than Juliet got last year (last year was RIDICULOUS) and no one but the kids are getting gifts, I'll probably bake a ton of cookies and give them to family, because we just can't afford to spend even 20 dollars per person this year.
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Melissa apple

Full-time data entry superstar type

, fiber artist, and slightly crazed mom to my big girl Juliet Whining

my sweet preschool twins Willow princess2

and Adam

... and sweet surprise Arielle Susanne, born 9/10/2010 wub

acortese · Maxed out Hyena Joined: 06 Apr 2007 Posts: 6866 HC$ 33.85

Wow Stell, you sound just like me.
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Andrea

Mommy to two sweet boys, 10/03 & 04/06

CrochetFuntime · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:40 pm Post subject:

I am spending a LOT less and not voluntarily. It's just hard to spend money you don't have! Smile

So we're trying to make the gifts we do give the kids extra special and sturdy and wonderful. Hence, shopping at Hyenacart!
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-Jessica
WAHM to Elizabeth (3-04), Dylan (1-06) and Ben! (5-12-08)
Crochet Funtime
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Breila · Cub with 2 spots Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 61 HC$ 2.83

I haven't tallied, but I would guess we're spending more. Mainly because I have a niece and nephew that I didn't have last year, LOL. The older boys are getting a video game system, so that was a chunk of change, but they won't be getting much else from us, so I feel okay about that.

I will admit that I have a hard time not shopping for myself too this time of year. I think it's for two reasons. One, I'm not usually a shopper period, but this time of the year I HAVE to shop, so I find more things for me than I would otherwise. Two, I have a bad habit of telling myself "what's a few more dollars when we're already spending X". Bad, I know.
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Blessings,

Amy

Daydream Creations

shoefairy3 · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:49 pm Post subject:

less $$$ I'm getting better at find great deals...and shopping the clearance all year ;-)
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Aron

~Woollybottoms Mama~ · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:56 pm Post subject:

For sure less this year, but 100% of it (besides a pack of socks for Sarah) is all WAHP made from here or Etsy. I am SO excited to know I am supporting work at home families and to know the items I will be giving will not be junked in a few weeks or operates on batteries. My side of the family are not doing gifts anymore which is great! We focus on a family meal now. DH's side draws names and I think next year I don't want to participate myself (but would still let the kids so they don't feel left out).
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~Shannon~ Wife to James, and Mom to Sarah & Caleb

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WoolenWishes · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject:

Less. I have done mostly trades this year, and have been shopping for deals for months and months. My kids are getting almost totally WAHP stuff, and it's all so nice and lovingly made. I can't wait for Christmas morning.
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Ryann
Mama to Maryssa lollipop

(03.10.03), Colton tease

(06.07.04), and Maya blah

(05.29.06)

Retro Mama · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:14 pm Post subject:

A little more...we needed to replace our kids' plastic toys this year with safer domestic and European wood toys. But the boys will end up with far fewer toys overall since we're not replacing all of them!
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~Kim~

:: Retro Mama :: Etsy :: Feedback :: Gallery :: Blog ::

momma2james · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject:

I voted more, but it is only because there are more people to shop for now. . .new babies, marriages, etc.
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knitting

SAHM to James 3/21/07
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