I’m Dreaming of a Cheap Christmas
Posted By teeni on December 13, 2007
I’ve been hearing from a lot of people about how they are worried about the upcoming holidays and how poor the money situation is. It is something that I knew was bound to affect most people eventually since the prices of oil and gas have been steadily increasing but our paychecks haven’t been meeting that incline. People are worried about not being able to get their children gifts or a Christmas tree or a good meal. It really is no fun to be in this kind of situation but it seems we all seem to be suffering from money shortages. However, I think we can get through it. We just may need to be a little more creative.
Here’s an obvious one but hard to swallow - now is not the time to refuse charity. Don’t let pride get in your way if you are offered things you need or can use. Take advantage, say thank you, and move on.
Don’t pressure yourself to gift everyone. The schoolteachers, the mail carrier, the gas station attendant. Things have really gotten ridiculous over the years. If you MUST do something for everyone - make it something really small and homemade - like a pretty cookie on a stick. You can make a billion of them up at once to save money and wrap them in plastic to use as the occasion comes up. Remember, not everyone is expecting something from you and you might actually make them feel worse if you give them something when they are not prepared with a return gift. That is totally NOT the type of feeling you are trying to impart. Also not everyone is the same religion as you and they may not celebrate it so keep these things in mind especially if you are not intending to insult someone. Sometimes just a spoken wish with a smile is a great thing to pass on. Or doing someone a favor might be better than a tangible gift. Shoveling out a neighbor, running an errand for someone. Hey, none of us is rich so no explanations or excuses should be needed.
For families, how about just buying for the kids and having the adults pick names so they only have to buy for one adult? It certainly pares things down. Also, gift wish lists are indispensible, whether they are online, handwritten or emailed. Everyone works hard for their money so providing a list of things you might like to the person who pulled your name will save them from wasting money on something you didn’t want and save you time wasted to return/exchange something. TGH and I buy for a LOT of children even though we don’t have any of our own, so I can tell you how much those gift wish lists save us in time and aggravation.
If you have kids you are afraid of disappointing, don’t worry so much about it. Although we want to give them everything, they really aren’t as materialistic as we might think. I would say it’s a great day to plan a special fun meal (doesn’t have to be expensive - just kid friendly - mac and cheese fancied up with some colorful and healthy veggies, hot dogs or veggie dogs and beans, whatever).
Then, pull out all the games you already have in the house and start a new tradition of marathon game day. Or hold a contest to see who can make the best dress with a roll of toilet paper as the only tool. Pull out some macaroni and glue - who can build the best skyscraper? Got some flour, salt, and water? Make some salt dough to mold some homemade ornaments with the kids. Make up some games if you don’t have them! Build a fort with your kids using all the sheets and cushions in the house and then have story time in there. You don’t have to kill a tree either - pick a small shrub outside that can be seen from a window inside and let the kids decorate it any way they want. Then go sledding with them! We used to sled on old cardboard boxes people were throwing out in their trash cuz we didn’t have money. They were the best sleds ever. If your kids are old enough, ask them what THEY would do to make the day special. Hopefully they are young enough to not have had their creativity stifled and they can tell you for themselves what would make a great day. You might be pleasantly surprised with what they come up with.
Spend the time with your kids - because in all honesty, THAT is what they are going to have the best memories of when they are older. Certainly not some store bought material thing. Those are still the best memories I have as a kid - the ones where my mom and dad, who worked three jobs, spent some time with us and joined in on things that they normally didn’t have time for. Things will work out. Maybe for the better. 
Every year the stress levels rise around this time for me and every year I threaten that TGH and I should just run away for the holiday and spend it at an inn in Vermont. And this year I mean it. For next year, I mean.
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these are great tips! We decided we just cant do it this year. We bought for each other, and sent gift card for the kids, and some small things here and there for a few others. We didnt do half of what we usually do. Sometimes you just cant, and for the most part, people are very understanding about it!
I’m glad to hear people have been understanding - it seems everyone should be able to understand that, these days.
You are so right Teeni. Less toys, more time.. that is where it’s at.
I know there will be lots of fun at YOUR house, Kami!
Can’t wait to hear about it afterwards.
Wow, Teeni. So thought out and accurate! I agree completely, totally, most definitely!! We dont buy for everyone, just immediate family and that’s it. And we stick to a budget, we have to. It’s a small budget, but it works.
I always ask BabyDoll what she wants to do .. they have 2 weeks off and Im a stay-at-home’r so the possibilities are endless for things to do .. we always end up doing a bunch of Christmas-themed crafts, and then we hang them all over the house. It’s a bit gaudy when we’re through, but she’s sooo freakin’ proud of herself afterward that I let everything stay until after Christmas.
Ya know, Ms. Red - that child of yours is making me jealous. She’s going to grow up with no hang-ups and a lot of self confidence in herself thanks to the wonderful parenting that you provide her. I hope she realizes how fortunate she is to have you. (Feel free to print this out and save it to show her on some future date when she is a teenager and taking it out on you. And I hope THOSE days are few and far between for the both of you.)
I love that post and yor suggestions Teeni.I am a firm believer that christmas is more about celebrating life and enjoying time with family rather then presents
I buy for my family(that i live with) and that’s it.Sometimes I muster up the courage to buy for my mom too because no matter what I say about her I love her deep down inside too 
That’s nice to hear, Ms. Kaylee. But I don’t believe anyone who doesn’t work should have to be buying gifts for others. You are fortunate to have your cooking talent though - you could always just make a batch of cookies and you instantly have a gift for the whole family!
Yeah, they aloways love those.ESpecially the chocolate chip ones
Those are my favorites too but I also like walnuts in there. Nothing beats a good chocolate chip walnut cookie right out of the oven. Oh my! Yum!
I think you are so right about being creative when it comes to {gift} giving. And the gift is and can be the time we spend with our families and friends. And in all honesty that is what I really want this Christmas; to spend time with my folks and sister, whom I rarely see. And with my husband while he’s relaxed and not stressed about everything! Why does this time of year have to be so hectic? It should be the opposite, the complete opposite.
I’d love to just spend time, have a nice visit, conversation, play a game maybe and just make a nice memory. I don’t care about the gifts or the stress or what the house/tree/decorations look like. THose things just aren’t important in the long run. And yes, it should be the opposite.
We’re cutting back quite a bit. Our presents to each other are going to be things that we would be buying in the next few months anyway. The kids are getting presents that are oriented for their families rather than for the individuals in the family. The grandkids are getting gifts that will stimulate their minds, we hope, rather than JUST some more toys.
It’s seems to me that by “cutting back” we might actually be doing ourselves a favor and get to enjoy more of what a holiday should be about. I can’t wait to hear from everyone after the holiday and see how it went for them.
blahahaha… I’m cheap… I made my friends Ziti necklaces last year… :: grins ::
you family people are reaaallly easy though… I just draw you guys stuff… on paper plates… at the dinnertable… :: laughs ::
Hey - I’ve learned to be thankful for what I get and get it when I can. You might never remember to frame me a piece of your art but I’ll always have that paper plate with that drawing on it.
And I can always torture you with it later in life. You know, when I’m ready for my special turbo-boost video gaming rocking chair that my nieces and nephews will have to pitch in and buy for me. LOL
GREAT post, Teeni!! You are SO wise!
The best thing our family ever did was decide to do “Secret Santa” and only buy for ONE other adult each. We still buy for all the kids, but only having to get one present instead of a dozen or two dozen makes things a LOT easier (both financially and stress-wise).
I really do like this idea a lot, Hannah - it saves a lot of money and trouble and seems to be fair to the couples who don’t/can’t have children as well.
Great advice! We do tend to get all wrapped up in the materialistic side of it all and we forget what is really important. Spending time with loved ones and making great memories is what is really important!
You said it, Talina!
I agree it’s more about fun and games and laying down some loving, fun n happy memories. Time with people we love is the most precious gift of all.
In our family we agreed long ago that we should not buy any gifts for the adults just for the kids. Now the ‘kids’ are adult thmeselves and earning then it’s still just gifts for the very young in our family.
If you don’t have time to make a gift for a ‘thank you’ to a tradesperson then a well meant and sincere ‘thank you for all you do every day/time’ would be appreciation enough, I’m sure.
I love that sincere thank you - too often it doesn’t get put into words and it really does mean a lot - I like how you include “for ALL you do EVERY day/time,” because we can all stand to be a little more grateful throughout the year, can’t we?
This was nice to read… We’re trying to feel OK about just doing what we can do.
We had a great month on the Sew, Mama, Sew! blog with tutorials to make your own gifts, and it actually made me feel much better about it all. Here’s the master list with all of the links: http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=291
I like all of your ideas. As my son gets older (he’s two) I’m really trying to think about what I remember fondly about my childhood holidays. It’s things like a special meal, talking in the living room, sledding in the snow together.
Hi Beth! Welcome to the Vaguetarian Tea Room. I’m glad you seem to remember the same types of things that I do for the good memories. I think those are the most important and I bet if everyone thought back, sure they had a favorite gift at one time or another, but the happiest memories probably had more to do with the quality of time spent with loved ones. Thanks for the link to your site - that looks like a wonderful place for my crafty buddies to check out. I think I may even be able to make some of those items myself! I need to pull out my old sewing machine eventually and put her to good use!
I’m not sure that I fully understand (!) what Blogger is telling me but if I get it right I think you may be able to sign in to leave comments with a link back to your site in future.
http://buzz.blogger.com/2007/12/openid-commenting.html
Merri was saying just the other day that Blogger was being particularly unfriendly to Wordpress commenters and this may be the reason why.
I hope you are keeping well and busy in this hectic season of ‘Good Will’!
xx
I’m not sure what is going on here myself or if this comment belongs here. LOL. But it is good info so I’m keeping it. Thanks, Penny!
Hey Teens,
What a sweet and thoughtful post. I think you’re right, people get very concerned about keeping up with the Jones’s sort of thing. Having to buy gifts for everyone, or find the perfect thing, rack up their credit cards so everybody will be happy and then end up so frazzled by the time Christmas rolls around that they are depressed.
But for me, the simple things are the best things about Christmas. Sending Christmas cards, baking cookies and brownies, watching all the Christmas movies (I collect them, and look for them throughout the year), while having a fire going.
Here are my cheap tips:
1. If you must buy gifts for everyone, shop at places like the Dollar Store, Thrift Shops and garage sales, and used book stores for people who are not in the immediate family. (also too, you can often find ‘treasures’ in these places books & movies that are like new, antique silverware and bowls, crystal vases. I found an elegant set of wineglasses at a thrift store for $4.14 and they are beautiful.
2. Throughout the year, when you see something you think someone will like and especially if it’s on sale, buy it, put it in a drawer until Christmas time.
3. Have Christmas movie marathons, with hot cider and popcorn, and a fire if you’ve got a fire place.
4. Decorate the tree by candlelight, while playing Christmas music - especially songs like Jinglebell Rock or something peppy. (for a free tree, find a large tree branch, of any type of tree, spray paint it silver or gold, put it in a tree stand and decorate it as you would any other xmas tree. It actually is quite beautiful, I’ve done it several times.)
5. Take walking tours with friends or family to see the lights and decorations on the houses in the neighborhood.
6. Play Christmas scrabble - where all the words have to do with the season.
LOL - sorry, I’m just yammering on and on. The point is, as you said, money doesn’t have to be the biggest part of Christmas. And really shouldn’t be.
Love
Annie
Thanks for sharing your tips, Annie! These are great. You are welcome to “yammer” here any time you like. I love it! I also like the idea of swaps where you have a theme to live up to. You know, pick a name earlier in the year, then get a gift for the person that is “used, useful, and re-usable” or something that is blue - adds a little extra and fun challenge to the mix.
Ooh! I just loove when WriterChick finds little poetry books! :]
She’s the type of person who just sees something, it makes her think of someone, and she grabs it for them. I just know it! She’s a sweetie. But don’t tell her I said so. Don’t want it going to her head and all.
Holidays are something I never really gotten into. I think they are way to commercialized. I usually make jewelry or skin care products for family & friends. Occasionally I’ll design some type of outfit, or house decoration. I’ve always loved creativity.
Aiyana is getting a doll this year and books (similar to last year.) I have the money to spend, but I’ve have better things to do with it. As with the past several years I’ll be donating money to children’s organization. Hopefully with the donations of others they will have something to look forward to.
Although to me it’s just another day it’s hard to tell that to a child especially when some of them don’t have anything. Thinking back to the girls I mentored it seemed to hurt them even more around the holidays. I imagine that was due partly to how commercialized the holiday has become.
Such a wonderful point there Opal - I bet it does hurt those kids more because of the commercialization. What kid doesn’t want to be like their friends and have what their friends have. If we didn’t allow it to be such a big circus it wouldn’t be so hurtful. To be honest, TGH and I don’t really “get into” the holidays either. We don’t decorate our house and don’t get a tree or anything. We do shop for the nieces and nephews and family members but we keep it in a budget and I try to provide a homemade gift for each kid every year - crocheted hats, mittens, scarves, finger puppets, whatever. I know a lot of families will volunteer their time at a shelter or soup kitchen and I think that is a wonderful gesture but it is also important at other times of the year as well. I really do wonder how things would be if so many people didn’t make money off the holidays. Great comment! And nice to see you, as always!
Aiyana broke me out of not doing anything, lol. Because of her I now have a tree and we do lights. Listening to her exclamations on how pretty everything looks has made it worth it. It’s also another time chance for me to bond with her. It’s doing something she likes hanging the lights and putting up the pretty tree. She knows I never did that before so I do think that makes her feel extra special because mommy is doing this just for her. Little things make her happy.
When I purchased her Baby Alive we talked about those less fortunate and on our way to the store one day she told me that she didn’t want Baby Alive. She wanted to give that toy to some little girl who didn’t get things. How sweet was that? I wrote about that on my blog. I bought her the doll and later I picked up a few more to give to those who although loved them would not be able to receive them because it was too expensive.
Aiyana is happiest with her books, paper and writing instruments. We constantly talk about what really matters being kind to others, sharing, etc. I tell her that happiness should not be based on what you receive.
When she is older she will be volunteering right along with me at the homeless shelter. She’s too young. She has to be fourteen to volunteer at the place I volunteer.
It sounds like Aiyana is going to be one very caring person. I guess I can understand the age thing at the shelters - it really is for their own protection. In addition, I know some children who are sensitive and it would depress them to no end to see others in those situations. That is not the point of volunteering either so it is probably best for them to be older.
What is Christmas?
Beth <—getting philosophical
Exactly! I think unfortunately nowadays it means strange traditions and sales and worrying about money, bills, gifts, shopping, mailing cards, packages. I think it used to mean something else a long time ago. May just have to look it up someday.
Awesome post Teeni. You have a lot of really great ideas here. I can’t wait till my kids are old enough that they can enjoy doing crafts. Another couple of years and they should be ready for things like elmer’s glue and safety scissors.
Hey AB - but you are creative and I bet can come up with plenty of things they can do now - I forgot how young your kids are. I’m glad you like some of the ideas. Personally I like the fort idea. I think I am much more creative now than when I was younger so I’d get all into it now when I would be too shy to have when I was younger.
I have found that buying an artificial tree has saved me lots of money, and certainly cleanup aggro.
Many years ago, I did a decoration project each year with the kids. One year, we made taffeta bows for the tree, another, we wrapped little blocks of styrofoam with straight pins, small amounts of wrapping paper and ribbon. Still another year, we made paper chains out of wrapping paper.
These are the decorations I love to put on the tree the most.
The kids really enjoyed using blank newsprint paper to wrap presents with, and we all had fun decorating the packages with homemade stamps, crazy crayola markers, and regular markers to draw pictures on the wrapped gift. You can get an end roll at a recycling depot for free or next to nothing.
I still make english toffee as gifts.
Hi YourGrace and welcome to the Vaguetarian Tea Room! Those are wonderful ideas. I love the blank newsprint for wrapping paper - it can be decorated by crafty hands or used just as is and then wrapped with natural materials to decorate it - like some mini pine cones or raffia! And yes, those handmade ornaments are definitely the most treasured. English toffee is a perfect gift - you can make a big batch at once and it travels wonderfully. Thanks for sharing your ideas and please come back anytime.
Fabulous post, found it via hrsj’s blog. Your description is the perfect christmas for me, perfet. Sure, it’s nice to give and receive an amazing expensive gift but I really think they should be saved for ‘big’ occasions (16th, 50th, weddings, births etc) and that the rest of the time the more personal gift of time and home-made or well thought/chosen thrifted gifts can mean so much more. The that was most loved this year was when I gave my mum 2 pieces of giant hogweed from a field, she wanted then for years and her face lit up like a little girl. Way better than if I had bought the expensive anti wrinkle creams she usually asks for.
Wishing you a happy, simple and memory filled New Year from Scotland.
Hi Cally! Welcome to the Vaguetarian Tea Room! I’m glad I’m not alone in liking the simpler things in life. I had to look up hogweed because I didn’t know what it was. I wonder why you mother wanted it? You’ll have to share this information with us! And thanks so much for the wonderful wishes! I also hope you have a wonderful, happy, healthy, New Year!