Anybody Else Cutting Back This Christmas?

Nope!!!

Christmas is when my son gets most of his needed things for the year (winter clothes, new school stuff, new shoes, etc.). It would be things I'd be buying, anyway... but this way, they're special. We do fun things as well, but about 3/4s of my son's presents are necessities.

It's especially important this year, since his entire world went sideways last year. Trying to maintain normalcy is huge.

You're right.
You've really put it into perspective.
We are having to go light this year since I am a SAHM so I don't bring in
any $. He's feeling the crunch.

We are making it a light Christmas this year.
I told him I don't really need anything.
I've bought him a few things.
I've shopped the clearance sales all year for toys & costume jewelry &
put it away for Christmas gifts.
I don't have much $ so it will be a light year anyway.

I'm just getting some little things they really, really want that are on extreme sale.

It will be a light year. A good thing in light of what's going on around the country & world.

I think we all have a tendency to lose sight of that but we can be jolted out of this stupor and get it back!

Thanks for shedding light!

How about this Christmas we help people & be kind to others?

I don't feel the same way you do, but i understand what you are saying. my kids have everything they need, most of the things they want and then some. this year, their lists is short because what more can they ask for? so because of their list being shorter, christmas will be lighter, but mine are younger and i have a few more christmases left i can get to see the light in their eyes.

We are! The pump in our well just went out and that cost us $3,000 ~ told the kids they are getting clean water for Christmas!

Take part of your Christmas budget a DONATE it!
We adopt a family every Christmas and its awesome.
Keep it simple.
My son has a pretty short list this year as well.
We save in an account for Christmas, so it's not about money, but personally I am cutting out 100% of the rat race shopping, guilt about not baking, pressure to have EVERYONE over during the break--ya know, ALL that stuff! GONE!
Good luck !

Have you ever watched the children's animation, "Spirited Away?" It's very good. Anyway, in it, there's this spirit named No Face. No Face has an insatiable appetite. The more he gets, the more he desires.

I think No Face is a fantastic mental image for that same hunger of consumption.

But anyway, to answer your question, we won't be scaling down this Christmas. The kids get one toy from Santa (usually around 35.00), and then some necessities and art supplies from us. They make each other presents and we send (mostly) handmade presents out. I don't know if we're going to be able to pull that off this year, since we aren't home as much.

Our house is small and we do not have much income, so there's not much choice in the matter, really. But, I'm not sad for it. I wouldn't want our Christmases to be about getting stuff (I love presents, don't get me wrong). It's a magic time of year, really. I guess that's what I want to have prioritized.

It's a small Christmas in our home EVERY year. We just don't have the money to buy a whole bunch of new stuff.
BUT, this year I am selling a bunch of stuff online to pay for Christmas. I went through the kid's toys and clothes and found a page on Facebook where you can basically do virtual garage sales! i am addicted! Selling pj's that don't fit, jackets that don't fit, toys that don't get played with, household appliances we don't use....anything! I have made almost $300 and that will be split to $100 for the 3 kids, $100 for my extended family and $100 to my husband's family.
L.

Updated

It's a small Christmas in our home EVERY year. We just don't have the money to buy a whole bunch of new stuff.
BUT, this year I am selling a bunch of stuff online to pay for Christmas. I went through the kid's toys and clothes and found a page on Facebook where you can basically do virtual garage sales! i am addicted! Selling pj's that don't fit, jackets that don't fit, toys that don't get played with, household appliances we don't use....anything! I have made almost $300 and that will be split to $100 for the 3 kids, $100 for my extended family and $100 to my husband's family.
L.

I've had a similar attitude over the past few years.
I live in a community very much like yours, and my kids have everything they need.
Though, my daughter WILL get a new phone (probably an iphone) because her contract is up and her current phone is literally taped together!
And she will get a laptop when she graduates from HS in June.
Other than that? They'll get some new clothes and boots/shoes, I'll fill their stockings with little goodies like candy, makeup, nice pens/pencils and a few magazines. I'll probably get my son the new Call of Duty game.
Last year we went to Hawaii right before Christmas which was AMAZING. We didn't have many gifts under the tree but the experience of traveling together and hiking, swimming and snorkeling in such a beautiful place was priceless!
Oh, and I'm glad to hear you came through the storm okay. I bet THAT experience had a profound effect on your kids too.

We are remodelling our basement this year, because we just moved into our new (to us) home. We plan on putting all of our games downstairs and purchasing a used $100 air hockey table. That and filling the stockings will be our Christmas.

We are so very blessed. We live in a country where, even in the worst disasters, we have organizations and citizens who will come to our aid. We have strangers who give their money, time, and gently worn clothes. We have emergency workers who will travel across the country to patch up the injuries and homes of strangers.

God has truly blessed us all.

♥

C. Lee

I'm with you. My children are 2 and 5 so they won't really notice that we are cutting back. They will just be happy to see that Santa came. They have too many toys as is in spite of making donations to Goodwill every few months. Plus, the older one is getting to the point where she can start understanding needs and wants and how some people don't have basic needs met so she can be thankful for what she has and help others get the things they need.

We exchange names in my husband's family. Every year I ask for a donation to be made to Heifer International or the ALS Association (or a non-religious charity of their choice) from the person who gets my name. Every year I end up with a snowman. So I'm thinking about boycotting the name exchange this year. I don't need or want anything. Please, spend the money on someone who needs a meal.

We never had big elaborate holidays when I was a child and we always "sponsored" a needy family/person during the holidays. We still continue to do so. So, no, you are not the only person in the country who feels the way you do. There are a lot of us out there we just don't tend to be vocal about it.

YES & Thanksgiving food that I usually will take several things but it's been a rough month w/ sick kids now i'm sick bad news here n there just not in the spirit of things let alone our weather it feels lke it's summer out

My son's 14 and we're not scaling back so much as it's just harder to find things for him (plus we seldom went hog wild crazy with mounds of toys).
He's pretty much past the toy stage with a few exceptions (there are some Lego models for 14-18 yr olds and he LOVES building something complicated).
We all have plenty of flashlights (those tiny very bright LED flashlights make great stocking stuffers) - some are crank up re-chargeable).
He always gets some books (and a gift card to the book store).

my kids are still little, so of course they will still get toys for Christmas. but this year we set a budget. We've never done that before- we just buy and buy and then forget what we got them, panic and go out to buy some more only to find that they get to board to open all their gifts. Not this year. Husband and I are exchanging some necessary items, but not luxury frivolous items. As well, after a recent event, I returned all the new Christmas decorations I bought this year. I believe our standard of living is about to take a down turn and we are also avoiding frivolous purchases. Of our extended family, we have decided to give outward. We don't need more things, so we are all giving to our churches, out of work family, and those who need more than us. We just discussed that family giving in future years will be food items- we canned peaches and made wild black berry freezer jam to gift, my MIL and SIL can tomatoes, and BIL make a mean spagatti sauce to freeze. My husband got an apple pie for his birthday yesterday and we have decided that food, not stuff, is going to constitute gifts in this family for the foreseeable future.

Yes. I find it ridiculous to try to "think of" something my daughter needs, when she doesn't need a thing. We're going to try to be more creative this year in our celebrating, possibly going on a special outing instead of purchasing stuff.

I would talk to them and suggest that any monies that would be spent on them should be donated. Better yet, pick a family and do what you can for them. It is a good life lesson.

I know how you feel. My kids are still little, and I do love to spoil them on Christmas, but at the same time I try to keep it in perspective. They have SO much and don't even use everything they have. Atleast at the ages of 1, 4 and 7, they aren't asking for big ticket items! (well, it is starting...) I try to instill in them, that the season is about giving and being with the people you love and making traditions. We always donate money/clothes/toys to an organization and I let them pick out the items (with my guidance). They really get into it. As far as our gifts, we usually do a family gift... ie. last year we got x-box kinect. We have also started to do things like go to shows (ie. Disney on Ice) as a family, rather than get more material stuff. This way the emphasis is on being together... not receiveing. When the kids get older I hope to volunteer at a shelter or hospital as a family around the holidays. Sometimes you get a lot more out of giving than receiveing.... Happy Holidays!

We are having a light Christmas too! I set a max limit on money for each child and we planned a trip at an indoor water park only 2 hours from home. Memories are forever the ipads, ipods, laptops, etc are short term but the memories you make as a family will go on and even influence the next generation as the memories are retold to them. Just an idea!

no, you are not alone. I live in NJ, too, and after seeing the devastation of my neighbors, and even those who have the means to survive, I realized just how blessed I was, and my family as well. Yes, we lost power, and had to toss all the food from the refrigerator, including the holiday food, I had been buying on sale, that I have decided that this storm was a blessing of taking stock of my life? What was really important to me? Because I could have been one of the more devastated neighbors, where everything was gone, and I realized that "things," are not important, because, if I was to die today, the only thing accompanying me, would be me... Not to sound morose during the holidays, but, when we think of the meaning of these next two holidays, what do they really signify? Spending money for things, or the relationships we have with our family and our Creator? that is what this storm brought to our communities, the realities that, just maybe we need to make a personal and spiritual shift in our interpersonal relationships, because what is more important the items or the family, firends, and the legacy of what we want to instill into our children? Will the things really instill anything into them or the interpersonal relationship we SHOULD be building with them? How spiritual am I? And have I taught the simple belief of a "mustard seed," into them? Or in the items, they want as instant gratification? Yeah, a new winter coat for warmth to attend school is great, but, do they really need all the electronic trappings, when so many other New Jerseyans are hurting for more in life? I think that this would be a great time to instill into your children the "knowledge of helping others," there are numerous organziations needing help for the numerous displaced people, who need help. how about forgoing the presents for yourselves, and offering your presents to the special needs kids, who lost everything? Or cleaning a home that has been damaged? Offering your home for a old-fashioned turkey dinner for the day? Taking a veteran into your home that lost everything? Cleaning your closets to give to others, like the old winter coats for kids, Carter's and OshGosh are taking coats for the Sandy victims. there are many lessons here that could teach your kids to be greater than themselves... I hope you do not miss the moment... My parents taught me to serve God, country, family, community, and government... This legacy has built a positive, giving demeanor into me that brought me far, because I know there are events and things far greater than the items in my home and the wants that I might think I "need," for that moment gratification... Good luck and count those blessings, for some are searching for them, now!

Many people, are on tighter budgets this year.
Even hard working 2 parent homes.
It just is.
Our Christmas will be lighter this year.
My kids are 6 and 10, and they know that. We talk WITH them about it. In simple ways. They completely understand and never grumble about it.
And its fine. We don't pretend to have more than we can afford.
My kids have what they need.
But if clothing/shoes/pajamas/underwear are outgrown, they are outgrown. So they need those things. And we will need to get it.

Then there are some special gifts, that can be bought or handmade, and shopped for wisely. Sales etc.
Besides things for survival, material things are not real needed.
Especially if it will not be appreciated or liked. No matter if it cost $3 or $500.
Christmas gifts can also be, doing things for others, thereby making the giver feel thoughtful and teaching children lessons of life.

Anything is excessive if it is beyond budget or unnecessary or just dust collectors.
Or a gift can be, putting money for your child into an education fund.
That is not excessive. It is purposeful.
Versus, excess has no purpose.

My girls are getting a dollhouse to share. And then a few books and small things. Christmas to me is about family. Material possessions should never take precedent over people.

No and I like how you are thinking. We don't have teens, we have two small boys but even then I feel like family and friends go crazy on them. LAst year it was ridiculous and half of the presents I stashed away for him to play with throughout the year. We have told family and friends not to go crazy this year. We are only getting a few gifts too as I would rather spend money donating to other kids in need. Once they are a bit bigger I really want to get them into volunteering so they understand that not all little kids have so many toys.
Best to keep it simple. I decided nothing is going on credit and only a few gifts for direct family members.

I think this is a beautiful way to teach your kids the meaning of giving to others in need. There are plenty of other ways to capture the Christmas spirit than gorging on material items. We are cutting way back as well. My kids are smaller (8 and 5) so we did buy them some things, but not nearly as much as usual, and we aren't buying gifts for anybody else, and we're thinking of ways to donate our time that would be meaningful for the kids.

No you're good! Perhaps this would be a good time to teach the kids about giving to those less fortunate. Find a family and make this their best Christmas ever!!! And if it's not too late, perhaps a trip to DisneyWorld for Christmas would be a cool gift too.

Not at all! I feel the same way you feel! We live in a small lake community & due to many unforseen circumstances have gone from upper middle class to the who the hell knows how we survive class! But after spending 13 days w/my MIL because of no power we were so thankful not to have been one of the many in our town that had their home destroyed by down trees. My daughters have learned a lot over the past few years & my youngest being 8 has over the past 3 years dedicated her birthdays to a fall festival in which she adopts a charity & this year with it being just 10 days prior to the storm couldn't have worked out better. In lieu of presents she asked for donations for a food shelter & collected 450 lbs of non-perishable items so we're quite certain those items were used to help families in our town survive during this horrible time. I think that there are so many people that think that all of the conveniences in the world were created for them & truthfully I can't be bothered, but on occassion either of my girls would tell whomever it was they heard complaining to just imagine what it would be like not to have a home to go back to. I think that any anything that we can do to help our fellow neighbors is a wonderful thing, I know that from the time that I was younger it seems that less and less people want to come together & help these days. I know that this is not true in all areas, but just watching the reports on the news, it was nice to see communities pulling together to help eachother. I commend you for what you are doing and although there will be a variety of people that may or may not agree, I think that the Season of Giving can mean something different to each of us.