Frugal Christmas

Gifts cards for the movies are always liked by kids of all ages. And, a $5 or $10 card is sufficient for that many. My husband has 8 bros and sis. SO, with that we have 32 "cousins" for my kids and we have always done for everyone. My limit is $10 pp.

I had the same problem one year and my gift to each family was the gift of "time". I gave them a little gift bag with a bag or microwave popcorn a couple of those movie boxes of candy (they have them at the dollar tree for a buck) and a $5 gift card to rent a movie at Blockbuster and added a note about life being too busy so my gift to them was precious time with their family. It was actually a big hit and kept cmas to a min. I like the board game idea as well. I usually do the family gift thing too. It gets too much if I dont.

I do what I can afford to do, and if someone else thinks I'm cheap because they spent more than I did, it's their problem, not mine.

Every year my family plays "silly santa"- or what may also be called "dirty santa"-for the not-so-kid-friendly version. Every indiviual brings one gift with a set price limit, usually around $10-15 max. Gifts can be silly, fun or nice. Who ever host the party usually has a few extra silly gifts in case anyone forgets. We place the kids gifts on one side and the adults on another and we draw #'s. We start with #1 and when we get to #2 that person has the choice to take a new gift or take the gift from someone else and so forth. We set the limit on how many times you can steal a gift from another person before it is dead, usually 3 times but you can do 2 if time is limited. All the kids and adults get to play together and we love it!! We usually end up with gifts left under the tree and just pull them out to have extra gifts next year. I know you said your family did not want to exchange names so maybe this would be a little less hectic and loads of fun for everyone, not to mention cost friendly!

Now I apologize before saying this, but you DO have a say-so in this gift exchange! Your SIL's can't dictate what they want to do when it is not best for all involved. That's just tacky. I personally would have the hubby talk to the sisters and say that something's got to give (if not for this year, at LEAST for next year - for your sanity AND pocketbook!). However, I like the inexpensive things that were mentioned - great ideas!

If you're getting inexpensive gifts, go the extra mile to get really colorful wrapping paper and nice ribbons or bows. If the package looks really exciting it won't matter as much what is inside. GL!

Ooh, that's tough. That's really hard, too, since they won't draw names. I would say you could make something, like candy/hot chocolate packages and decorate them, or you could go to Walmart or Target and get everybody a $5 movie. You could also get everybody a $5 gift card. That's still going to add up pretty fast though. You could always go a different route and tell them that instead of gifts, they could go to a soup kitchen and serve or pick out a toy and give it to a child in need. Our society is so gift-oriented at Christmas, and I hate that. I'm interested to see what other suggestions there are, since we don't like to get big gifts either.
Good luck!!!

M.,
Hello. You do have a lot of nieces & nephews to buy for. I think almost all children in that age span would enjoy a movie ticket. I believe a ticket for a child 11 and under cost $5.75 and over 11 the cost is $6.25 (at least for a matinee). Or you could see if the $1 movies have gift cards too and give them each a $5 gift card to the $1 movies. That way they'd even have some extra for a snack or drink. Just another idea. Good luck.
~ J.

For starters, let the internet be your friend. Check sites like Overstocked.com, walmart.com, target.com, jcpenny.com, HSN.com etc. and head straight to their sale or clearance center if they have one. The slection will be slim, but what you find will probably be very inexpensive. At HSN I frequently go to their clearance center and buy Wolfgang Puck stuff very check. Imersion blender was 50 dollars, on clearance 19. Like I said you have to be sure what you are getting won't need to be returned. If you think it might, check the return policy of that shop.

In Huntsville I would check out Tuesday Morning, and Marshalls. When we lived in the DC area I found a stuffed toy with book from the Smithsoian for $5. It was a 30 dollar set. You have to be careful and be open minded about what might work for a particular person.

I hope you have found this helpful. Good Luck!

Hi M., i know you've had a ton of good responses, but i wanted to add that in the past i've had success making music cds. If you have a computer with a cd burner and a kid cd as well as one the older kids would enjoy, your only purchase would be a pack of blank cds. I've decorated the cd covers either with the computer's program or cut out pics from magazines. I did this in college before I had a job and everyone loved them since I'd personalize each one somehow.
Wish you luck on all this. K.

How about a goodie bag like kids get at a party? Kids always love candy! A small gift bag with bite-size candy bars, maybe an individual wrapped muffin or large cookie, different candies. This is usually loved by all ages!

sounds like you need to suggest that they draw names. We're in a recession! Who can even ptretend to have money to buy presents for 15 neices and nephews? You still have to buy presents for your immediate family, and do you also have to buy a present for each adult? Is the 15 in just one family or does that include yours and your husband's family?

We have a similar position. The older kids are the hardest! The kids don't expect alot from their aunts and uncles (because they have many) but everyone buys a little something ($5 - $10). If there is a cool T-shirt, I have gotten everybody one in a different size and color (think local sports team, or latest cool design). Funky socks for everyone. Or funky gloves. An age appropriate puzzle or card game. A book. A make up set for girls (even the little ones love to play with make up). Watch for sales when the store is running select toys at $10 - if it looks fun, buy for several kids. A shoe box of art and craft supplies. A funky watch or jewelry or hair accessory for girls. Watch clearance sales, one year I got PJS for every kid (princesses and super heros, etc..) at a great sale. As you can tell I like to do a theme.

Fun for the kids to see what everyone else gets and wraps up my shopping faster!

Crayons and markers for the older ones!! Its cheap and kids love to color!!!

Not sure how many siblings you have but my advice is get one gift for each sibling's family.
How about a board game for each family member to share?

if they refuse to draw names ypu need to be Honest with your family and let them know you are on a budget.Set an amount that you can spend equally on each child,then ask the parents what is on their list.The kids won't care about the price tag if it is something they want.I have also gotten stockings and collected many small items from different stores.Target,Michaels,and the Dollar tree have bins of great stuff that work for this.For the older ones maybe you could do something with them take in a weekend movie afternoons are cheaper,DVDs and CD's aren't so expensive anymore. Good Luck!!

I wouldn't..There is NO way I could afford to buy for 13 nieces and nephews and my own 3 children.

One thing I do is buy inexpensive fabric puffy paint (it's permanent once it dries) at Walmart and inexpensive long-sleeve t-shirts ($4-5 each also at Walmart), print out what you want to put on the shirt, use that as a guide, and paint on the shirts. I make a shirt like this every year for my son's birthday with his age on it. To be extra cute, I paint the number on a scrap piece of fabric and sew it on the shirt (it's super easy, just a big square). Or, you can make personal CDs by buying inexpensive blank CDs and loading either some music or photos they might like. Or, you could make a photo book of family photos as a nice keepsake. Good luck!

I found the perfect solution last year. The kids and parents were thrilled. I 'adopted' animlals for them from
defendersofwildlife.org Adoptions start at $25.00. For that each child gets a plush animal,an adoption certificate and a fact sheet. worldwildlife.org has a similar scheme, but you get a photo, not a stuffed animal, for $25.00 I'm going to do the same this year. This way I support animals and give fun educational gifts. Shipping is also free.
For even less expensive presents there are many wonderful books that are often on sale. For teenagers I'd look at the latest Rowland books, if you think they wouldn't like to adopt an animal. Teenage girls often like jewelry making kits.
V. (grandmother)

First of all a gift is a gift. It is something that you choose to do and not something that should be expected. If that expense is just not in your budget this year then it is your choice to cut that out. That is a hard decision though. My ideas for something inexpensive are books for all (although that can still add up quickly) or "Family gifts". I like making up baskets that will appeal to the whole family no matter what their age. A movie night basket could include either a DVD or a gift certificate for some movie rentals, a couple of bags of popcorn and some candy. You could also throw in some special popcorn bowls if you wanted to spend a little more. You could do a book basket with two or three books that could be shared among the siblings. You could make a game night basket, or something that appeals to their hobbies (sports or crafts or whatever). Good luck coming up with ideas.

Gift cards or gift certificates to their favorite place.

Making stuff and services are the best, most thoughtful gifts. Do you sew or cook, or could you make a fun animal from a kit? I made my daughter furniture for her dolls from egg cartons--and I am NOT a craftsy person. I once saw in a magazine a project for making an in-home mini-golf set that really didn't look too expensive or hard, if one had the time. Would the teenagers like a coupon for a trip to the mall or other chauffeur services? Is there something like going to the park or making cookies that your kids enjoy and don't get enough of that you could give a coupon for or actually do around Christmas?

With the Economy being in the State that it is, I do not see how anyone could be buying for Alot of other Family members, unless your really Well Off. There were many Christmas's in the past that we could not afford to buy, but made my children aware of the meaning of Christmas, Our Lord & Savior's Birthday!! It was more important to have a Good meal & maybe a small gift. You should talk to your other Family members & come to some kind of agreement that is Feasible for everyone. God Bless

For maybe 2nd grade down to about age 2 go to the Dollar Tree and get them "Halloween Costumes" I got my daughter a Pirate Dress up costume (Hat, patch and sword) for a BUCK! You have to get there NOW though after Halloween they go-but I told a couple of moms I know about it so they could go and get cheap ($5 or less)dress up outfits for their kids.
You can also check out Oritental Trading and see about getting coloring packs (they have sets of crayons 4pks-16 I think) for about 85cents ea. You can check out the local Dollar General if you have one (as well as $ Tree) and get coloring books for a buck a piece.
I'd ask their parents and see if they have an MP3 player and if so give them a $5 gift card to download music or something like that.
If your family doesn't like your gifts you can always explain to them that financially times are challenging and you and your family are doing as best as you can.
For Next Year-I'd set aside a few dollars/week (Make a Budget for each child-$5 for younger $7 for older whatever) and watch the kids (talk to them at Christmas this year and find out what they like) as you are out and about especially if you check out after Christmas sales stock up on stuff then.
One more thing-I started looking online in July for deals-Bath and Body works has shampoo/cond, Lotion, sanitizer for $1 each (for older girls) and Avon had a great deal on nail files/lotions for less than a dollar too. I also saw some good deals on Make up at Elf costmetics (they have lots of stuff a dollar each).
All these websites have deals where if you sign up for an "enewsletter" they give you promo codes to get free shipping or some such ($5 shipping is very common). One last website-Children's Place they have $5 shipping all the time-you can pick up stuff like winter hats/gloves or shoes for your neices/nephews while bargain shopping for your own kids.
Also-most of these sites have after Halloween sales (Dress up) for the younger kids..
Sorry I have all neices so I don't know what would be good for older boys.
Hope this helps-I shop for all our girls (my neices and daughter ages 24-3)all year I look about once/month at the sites I think they would like.
If I can't find anything I order a gift card (my oldest neice lives out of state and I don't usually get to see her at Christmas)for her and her husband-most places deliver the card free (you don't have to spend much we spend $10 each, but we only have the 5 kids to buy for right now).
One final thing-if you can't think of anything to BUY the older kids (and they don't have an impediment-diabetes, allergies) make them Cookies or Brownies or whatever your specialty is! My Husband did that for years when he was single and his friends LOVED it-looked forward to it every year, especially the ones with kids! I also get ALL the girls in our family Christmas Socks every year (they average out to about a dollar each and everyone including Grandmas get one-even me ;-).
Good Luck,
C.

Gift Cards are the best way to go for that many kids. You might try $10 gift cards from Walmart or Kmart. My husband's Grandmother has 8 Grandkids and 8 Great Grandkids and she just does 5-10 dollars in gift cards or just goes to the dollar store and gets all of the boys the same gift for the same amount and the girls the same as well. Good Luck.

Hey M.! I have a bunch of kids in my family and friends and what I do is make a bunch of goodie bags for them.. mostly stuff that will entertain them for the day. I buy the bags and all the little goodies inside from a website called http://www.orientaltrading.com. They let you purchase in bulk and I buy for about 24 kids! The older ones might be a little harder to buy for but the smaller kids think the bags I create are the coolest! I put stuff from little christmas tatoos, games, candy, bubbles, stickers, cups, cool straws and crayons and coloring books etc. All for fairly cheap! It's actually fun for me to put the bags together and think of what stuff they will have fun with inside of them. The kids really do have fun with them! I hope this helps.. best wishes!!

Ask your family to play a Christmas game that doesn't involve drawing names. Talk to your family about money you might not be alone. When our family got that big for the whole family time each family,(that lives in a home) we only had to bring one gift for each member. It had to be unisex and under $10.00 but more than $5.00. So for my family it would only cost me $40.00 but no less than $20.00. We would than play our game. We do different things each year but we have fun and laugh at each other a lot. This time of year is meant to be with family not the gift. If you are a good baker or candy maker make each child a box of goodies. I do this each year for my little brother and every year he ask are you making the cookie. Everyone in my family has tried to make it but no one does it like me. Most gifts end up in the bottom of a toy box so why spend all that time and worry over it when you can give them the gift of you.