Hard Candy Christmas?

[launderess]

From what one has been hearing and seeing around town (stores aren't very packed this year, even this weekend, the final run down to the holiday), people are cutting back this Christmas in light of the current economic conditions.

Personally, other than close family, everyone else is getting card and possibly something *really* small, no not a lump of coal. They know that I love them! *LOL*

Aside from wee ones, never really put much store in splashing out with tons of gifts, especially if it meant one was going to be eating beans and sausages for the next several months to pay off debt. While things aren't bad over here, am making some economies and reductions as one fears the worse will hit after January.

Still, am lucky that one has a job and a home. So many people have been made redundant in the past few months, some just weeks before the holidays.

Sooo, anyone else being "frugal" this holiday season?

Launderess

 

[jons1077]

Very frugal here...

Tony and I took huge paycuts when we took new jobs in Portland this year so, needless to say, we have cut it down to bare minimum since this summer. We did do cards this year and I believe we are only buying a few gifts this year and they are not expensive...just gift exchange kind of things. We don't eat out much anymore and that saves us tons of money and it makes the times we do eat out more of a treat. We did splurge last night and walked across the street to our local bar and knocked back a few.

Jon

 

[rp2813]

We all agreed we wouldn't spend more than $20 on anyone. I haven't even tapped into my Xma$ club account yet.

We'll probably go overboard on food and drink when we host New Year's Eve and use some of the unspent funds on that.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I haven't bought anything for my roommate or his mother this year since I'm not working. One of my best friends bought me and my roomie some things that I wish she hadn't.

 

[sudsmaster]

My two week, no, four week, work furlough turned into a full-blown layoff last week (long story, but the entire machine shop has been shut down indefinitely, and the company may not be around much longer either) so, yeah, I've cut way back on purchases. Other than necessities and stuff minimally needed to do maintenance on the house, the credit card will be relatively silent for the duration. But I have enough toys and materiel stashed away that I can keep busy. And I'm planning another run to Goodwill to donate excess clothing/etc. before the end of the tax year.

 

[sdlee]

yeah, Im not doing my useual do all this year as I didnt do the usueual pre planning for it. it just snuck up way too fast and like everyone the pinchers are pinching me pretty hard...

one thing that has remained the same tho is the funny little resolve in the back of my head saying next year will be different

 

[iheartmaytag]

Santa is broke this year

Taxes have gone up, Insurance went up, utilities. There is just not enough to go around. We are having a handmade Christmas this year. My daughter will get a few things. The rest of us will focus more on the season itself.

 

[beadsobleach]

Second hand Rose

Did my Christmas shopping at thrift stores and the library near me that sells old books...actually found some cool gifts for not a lot of dinero...

 

[qsd-dan]

Always an old fashion Christmas around here. I never received more than a couple of gifts when I was youngin during the season. The way people blow Christmas out of proportion is far beyond ridiculous, regardless of the economy!! I remember watching one of my cousins receive a whole damn living room full of Christmas presents when she was 1 year old. What the hell is 1 year old going to do with all of that crap?! It all probably went to the trash less than a year later and I guarantee you she doesn't even recall the incident today. Personally, if I want something that damn bad, I'll buy the f**king thing myself!!!!

Whew, I feel better now