A few years ago I suggested that we stop buying everyone gifts on my husbands side of the family. Boy did I get in trouble. The following year I suggested that we draw names out of hats to cut back on $$ (he has 4 siblings and they are all married)  They didn't like that either.  It took another year for that to catch on. 

NOW, this year at Thanksgiving, I am telling the family that DH and I are no longer going to be involved with that. We will continue buying gifts for all the nieces and nephews (till they are 20 yo) and we will go in on joint gifts for Mom and Dad, but we're no longer exchanging with sibs.  (yet I plan on buying stocking stuffers for everyone! Little things like votive candles for the ladies, good bottles of beer for the guys) ;)

It's too much stress AND more than that, this is not what it's all about. I complained on another thread about the commercializim (sp) of Christmas.  I hate it.   I'd love to see Christmas brought back to a simpler time. With more focus on getting together and less focus on buying stuff.

All that being said…I DO enjoy getting stuff for the kiddos!  Got my 1yo niece (who's 2 now) a great big stuffed horse last year. She LOVED it!  And the nephew got a John Deer tractor tryke. (Every big truck he would see was a “Tractor! Tractor!!” 

b

who's really not a grinch!!

Kathy,

I love the first picture.  I would love to have that enlarget to an 8×10 or a 10×13 matted, framed and hanging on my wall.

Amanda

beeyourself said:

Jaymi said:

I don't know about you all, but this Christmas is scaring me. I have 15 nieces and nephews alone on my hubby's side, 6 on my side, a Christmas Tea to attend, Mother, Grandparents, et cetera to buy for. The gas to drive the 2 hours to get there..ugh the list goes on. I suggested that the adults don't exchange presents ( I mean didn't we out grow the need for stuff?) and that we give the children small presents or gift cards for a set price. The family is NOT feeling that.

What I want to know is….what do you all do to cut costs at Christmas? What are your favorite gifts to make or favorite gifts that have been made for you? What are some of the traditions/experiences that made your Christmas' very special that cost nothing to little?

I am trying to teach my kids that Christmas really has nothing to do with gifts. My 10-year-old daughter said that all the kids should give up their gifts and 'adopt' a family to buy for them. She's so sweet. I hope I have something to do with that..haha.

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Jaymi - Tell your family that your family has decided to adopt a family that needs help.  (Ask them not to buy gifts for you and your husband - and let them know NOW.)  Tell them that because of the economy (use it!) you are doing things differently this year.  Go to the Christmas Party - have a wonderful time.  You don't sound like the type of person that needs a gift to have a good time.  (If someone insists on giving you something, thank them.  Don't feel you need to run out and buy something for them - they'll get the hint for next year!)  I would still buy small gifts for the children this year.  Maybe ornaments?  Gift cards given in small stockings?  I know that when it comes to families and children it seems to be about money - and everyone keeping everything even.  One person has to be a maverick!  It starts with one.

BEEYOURSELF: IF YOU FIND THIS, COULD I HAVE THE PEANUT BRITTLE RECIPIE? WANT TO MAKE SOME FOR CHRISTMAS.  LEAH

beeyourself said:

Leah said:

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BEEYOURSELF: IF YOU FIND THIS, COULD I HAVE THE PEANUT BRITTLE RECIPIE? WANT TO MAKE SOME FOR CHRISTMAS.  LEAH

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Leah - not sure (reading my old post) what you were referring to - but - I have posted a wonderful recipe for Buttery Cashew Brittle - and I use the same recipe to make Peanut Brittle (using raw Spanish peanuts).  You can find it by going to “Just Recipes” - then go to “Favorite Christmas Candies” - scroll down to “Buttery Cashew Brittle.”

Beeyourself,sorry I clicked the wrong post to relate to. Thankyou so much. I'll check the recipe out now. Leah

I hear you!!!!  I think to not buy the adults is a good idea.  You can give to a charity and put that in a card and tell them what you did.  Even Oprah's friends do that with her!!  Getting the kids some something is fine but I agree with the conversation here - too much money and too much stress on buying and buying.  it is ridiculous and out of control.  I get my sister and her husband small things like this year I got her some socks with dogs on it and will do the same for him.  Cost 3.00 each.  I give my 24 yr old son money since that is what he wants.  I make gifts for anyone else or find things for way less.  AT work i spent 5.00 on each one and some only 3.00. 

The recipes posted are a great idea.  I love that too.  Drawing names is key in large families.  We do need to go back to simplier times - I mean 2 people died when Wal Mart opened the day after Thanksgiving!!!!  I think Wal-Mart is partially to blame.  I was so upset by that and so shocked.  How shameful we are as Americans that we rush and crush people to save a few dollars.  Unreal. 

I love the Cherry Delight recipe too and will take it to our church dinner on the 14th.  Great discussion here.  With the economy down, charities are hurting too.  Adopt a family, an angel off the treat - great ideas. 

Absolutely - you go girl!!!!!  Who wouldnt love one of your jars of jam!!!!!  I love it - being creative. 

We don't buy many gifts.  I have a large family and for years it was madness, finally I stopped it all.  When we have our family dinner, each parent brings a small gift for their own child,  it goes under the tree and is unwrapped after dinner.  The adults just enjoy being together and watching the little ones.  My boys are grown, unmarried and I don't have grands, Girlie is almost 18, so we give little gifts to each other and we do more for Girlie,  after all she is the baby.  I give gifts that I make, jams, soup, breads, pillowcases, totebags to my sisters and others during the year at random times.  I think I was too focused on the commerical side of the holidays and not enough on the “Reason for the Season” , so I may seem to be a grinch, but I try to show people who I love, that love all times during the year.