a frugal Christmas
By cher913
@cher913 (25782)
Canada
November 18, 2008 1:45pm CST
how do you save money at Christmas time? do you cease to send out cards? (those stamps can add up, epecially here in Canada at 54 cents a pop - maybe i will send out ecards??!!)
i also shop all year around and make a lot of my own christmas presents (dry soup in a jar is a great gift!)
here is a great article from the budget stretchers website that may give you some ideas for a more frugal christmas this year.
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/02/02nov04d.cfm
please share any other ideas that you may have
4 responses
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
19 Nov 08
HI Cher, thanks for the info re website. The only cards that I buy are for immediate family and my 2 sisters - no one else. Stamps alone would be a lot to pay from my country to the USA or the U.K So that is out.
The bigger the turkey is better re pricing but have you thought of getting the butcher to cut it in half for you? They will do it at most supermarkets. Then you can have half of the turkewy for thanksgiving and the other half for Christmas? Surely 12 and a half pound of meat is good for a family meal plus there will be enough turkey left over for soup and sandwiches? Then you can also use the oven space for more side dishes. Good luck with your frugality!
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
19 Nov 08
You bring up an important discussion, cher913. I am wondering if I should mail out my Christmas Cards this year. I usually mail out about 60 and for many of those recipients, it's the only contact I have with them and I do an individual letter to them.
Loved the article about having a frugal Christmas. There were some great ideas in that. I've thought about just giving gift Visa cards to everyone. That way, they can purchase groceries or pay bills with the cards or shop for whatever they like.
@Anne18 (11029)
•
18 Nov 08
How do you make dried soup in a jar? Sounds very intersting, perhaps you could pm me all about it.
If you make your own gifts perhaps you could help me out on this gift idea. Years ago I used to get soap in a sponge, that is two pieces of thin sponge sewed round and a small piece of soap in the middle. I can buy the foam, but what do I use to do the sewing? Do you understand what I am talking about? Anyone??
I send only a few cards. I can't see the point in sending cards to people you never see from one year to the next or a quick line in a card. I would rather have four cards on the shelf that mean everything ot me than loads of cards that don't really mean anything to me.
@lilcee (2703)
• United States
18 Nov 08
This year I'm only sending out cards to family and a few friends. If I get a card from someone not on my list, I will send one in return. Your idea about soup in a jar sounds like a good idea. How do you make it? I like to make gifts for my family but this year I don't have any idea what to make.
