OT: Christmas on a budget... share ideas

I have 2 other siblings and we all have kids! We just do family gifts for each other. For example a family board game. We did stop the individual gifts. It gets way to spendy!!

Jackie

As far as the kids in the family are concerned.  My husbands family has about 15 kids and what we do, it everyone hangs each child's stocking up with their names on it and each aunt and uncle or cousin puts 5 dollars in each with a Christmas card.  Maybe you could do that with some candy for each child, 5 dollars isn't a lot, but wouldn't you rather give them the money than going crazy trying to find something for 5 dollars, that they are most likely going to throw away or break in 2 seconds... just a thought

My family started this a few years back, but we cut out sibling gifts, and we draw names for the kids.  Example, my sister has 3 kids, so she would draw 3 names out of the bag.  So however many kids we have that's the number of names we draw.  Then we usually get our parents something...or a group gift from all of us. 

It has really cut out Xmas expenses for my family and my sisters.  Xmas is mostly for the kids anyway so we don't mind not getting gifts anymore.  It's the time spent with all of our families that's the best present you can give. 

I know you can't do this this year, but suggest it for next year if you think it's a good idea. 
Black Friday is awesome, also clearance racks at the clothing stores if you are buying clothes.  Even clearance in other departments. 

Also, if you still need to shop for all of those people next year, start out early.  shop throughout the year, pic up things here and there....that way you aren't spending it all at once.

Hope this helps...
Bambi

All my panic was for no reason. DH came home yesterday and reminded me that he gets a Christmas bonus next week. DERRRR... chalk it up to pregnancy brain. We're still on a tight budget, though.. and I'm still going to cut corners. Last year I did sooooo much handmade stuff that I'm literally STILL burned out! I used to sew almost every day... and if I wasn't sewing I was looking for my next project. I took on way too much at once. The only sewing I've done since then is converting DDs jeans into capris this past summer and I made her one summer dress.