Anyone else feeling the Christmas Crunch on their wallet?

[xenaprincess]

Christmas is going to definately tight for me this year considering my new situation as a single mom with no job!! My kids come first! I have a very large extended family with many neices and nephews to buy for. We all decided a few years ago that the gifts would be limited to only the children, which saved all of us alot of time and $$! However, there are 14 neices and nephews that I cannot afford to buy for this year. My family decided that we would all contribute $30 and with the total ($360), buy all gifts for the kids and make it from the whole family! I am very ticked that I am being told that my 17yr old son has reached the age to be taken off the Christmas gift list!! :mad: My brothers do not feel he needs a gift from them at his age! Geesh! They have no idea how much $10 in a card would mean to a teenager...or even a toilietry basket! And then they have the nerve to ask me what they can buy my Uncle (who is now my moms companion)!! My response to that is "Don't ask me...he's too old to be on the Christmas gift list"!! My son lives at home..goes to school...works...I will never agree with my family on this! He deserves a gift just as much as the rest of them! I'm upset enough to not participate in the exchange and just stay home and enjoy my 1st Christmas alone with my kids!

 

[shannonmac]

I'd be mad too!

xenaprincess, if I was you I'd be really p.o'd too! from reading other posts from you it seems like you and your kids have gone through enough this year! you're brothers should want to make it a special christmas especially for your kids. I really don't have any words to express how mad I am for you! and yes any teanager would love $10 in a card! it makes it easier to go to the movies with friends or put gas in the car to go out for the night!
I'm sorry your family isn't being more understanding. :(. my family did the only for the kids present thing years ago, and I'm 25 and they still get me a present. nothing huge b/c it really is the thought that counts!

 

[momstaxi]

Sharon
One of my best friends who has 3 kids that I always buy for and my sister in law both did not get my DD anything when she turned 17 this fall. My friends kids even came to her family party! It's not the gift that counts it is being remembered. Like you said $10 in a card is great. She is kind of sensitive and I know it hurt her feelings. So anyway I know just how you feel.
Michele
PS Christmas is straining my wallet alot this year too.

 

[Evie&Adam]

many of us are in the same situation.. my DH just started back to work (after 17 months off) Still hasn't gotten his first paycheck :( hopefully, the bills will get straightened out in the next few weeks.

I gave up on getting the whole family christmas gifts a LONG time ago. They all get greeting cards and I just buy for my kids (skin and fur of course!) Stores are just too expensive.

Vela: great idea on the dollar store gift baskets!! I was checking that out last week, all name brand stuff too! :D

One thing I am gonna do is to take advantage of the "Student Discounts". I attend a large University so we have a terrific performing arts department. Tickets at half price!!! For Christmas, they are doing a musical of Beauty and the Beast - I have girls - cant go wrong there! LOL

Merry Christmas All!!!

 

[magoo's_mama]

This is our first christmas on just one income. I used to make more money then DH and now I'm staying at home with our daughter. Talk about being broke! The dollar store is a great idea, they have nice candle holders, picture frames, etc.. This year we went and got nice professional family photos and are sending them out to the relatives in frames. Also doing baked goods, spiced nuts and fudge. Some years you just have to get extra creative.

 

[Silverstar]

Everywhere you turn, everyone I talk to...someone is going through the financial crunch. Me too. My Christmas present to myself was the card exchange.

No one this year is getting anything more than a Merry Christmas and a card. This is the first year I have not been able to do anything. I have been supporting my brother the last few months and it has taken its toll. Like many people I know...bills get paid late or sometimes not at all.

Peter is getting reallly upset that I have taken from him and given to Paul so many times!

 

[robynkendall]

Yes, we are definately going to have a lean Christmas this year!! My job has been cutting my hours so much that I sometimes don't even make enough to cover the 60.00/week for daycare! I hate having all these worries over bills and such, but I am looking for a better job and trying to maintain a positive attitude. Like I always say, everything happens for a reason (hopefully a GOOD reason)
Lucky for me, my 3 boys are understanding. I told them to pick about 3 (inexpensive)things each that they really want and I will see what I can do. We aren't buying for anyone except the kids, and the rest of the family understands, so that's a load off my back

 

[magoo's_mama]

I have 7 brothers and sisters, 18 nieces and nefews, 9 aunts and uncles on my mothers side, and 7 aunts and uncles on my dad's side. Plus a FIL and step-MIL, a MIL, and my mother, DH and Oliver and Lucy.

wow with all those realtives you should suggest a gift exchange where everyone pulls a name out of the hat and you all only buy one present!
We used to do that when I was a kid, it was fun. Everyone else might be grateful to only buy one present as well.

 

[Loke]

It is really a good idea to not make Christmas about material things. Bake things, make things, do things for people. It is so much better for all involved.

 

[robynkendall]

So does anyone have any ideas on making things?? I do not have a very good imagination when it comes to being crafty