Are you able to spend more for christmas?

There's always things that seem to come up, so when you can it's best to keep to a budget for all matters, even christmas! I like to try to get the best for people, but I can't really talk from a budget standpoint, I've not budgeted, not had enough to make a budget!

Good Luck To You!

It's not the price tag that matters after all! It's the thought that counts! You've got to do what you can! I hope your husband finds work again soon! Good Luck to you both! Happy Gifting!

I haven't really been big on buying people gifts for holiday's. Now that My husband and I Are together, we are going to try to buy gifts for those who have done things to help us first, and then for others last if we can. Since we're just starting out, we'll know people will understand, and may even insist that we don't get them anything at all, or that we shouldn't have... but we will give gifts to his parents definitely, who have helped us out so much!

For the past two years I haven't had a job, so mylotting has been what I've done to make money. My husband has a job, and now it's my turn to look hard and long for one!

Good Luck On gifting, and I hope you can get and give many gifts this year!

Thanks, you too.

I guess it's time to start making home made cards again and storming MyLot!

I remeer seeing somewhere on line that you can print free gift tags. I did this last year. Every little saving helps. My biggest tip is to buy a turkey for Thanksgiving and get the butcher to cut it in half. Use one half for thanksgiving and save the othe half for Christmas. Try and buy the biggst you can for as cheap as you can. Pick up one can of something for Christmas each week that you will need for Christmas dinner or for a gift.
Don't worry. Of course people will understand.

I am glad you have the same amount of income as last year, means you kept your job when so many lost their's! That's great! . Ever since I moved in with my husband and his parents we've been making a list (my husband and I) of things we want, most of the time we are with his mother when she buys us one of the things, and then the rest of the time she's by herself! I think it's great to have a list made, so we'll probably be doing this for years to come! Having an idea of a few things DOES make it more surprising! Lol! I've already got my christmas gift for this year, it was a wii! yay!

Oh and gifts that are more expensive, seem to quickly become priorities over wants. My husband and I want to get a home that we'll never want to move out of, one we can do work on, or add things to to make it look and feel different... As for a truck, well cars seem to break down and need repair, faster then homes... so we'll want to get a good truck and good car!

Good Luck Christmas Shopping!

Can you believe how fast this year went by? I know what you mean about getting things but not giving, I feel bad when that happens too. This year we just got married, but we're still going to have enough to buy gifts for a few people. We know we'll be spending more then we did last year. My husband has a job, and I hope to get one soon! Oh and as for buying, yes, I like to be leisure and not have to rush at the last minute, makes it more stressful, and I'm already a stressaholic.

The year has flown! I always say I'm going to start in July with my shopping but I never do. I am forever out and about on Christmas Eve..lol..I'm glad you guys have some money left over after the wedding. They can be very expensive sometimes.

It sounds like you have a good grasp on your money and what you feel you should or shouldn't spend. That is good, that means your a wise shopper, lol and wise with your money. A few 100 sounds like a realistic plan, and that it being the most you'll spend is good too.

Here's to hoping you'll surprise yourself by how litlte you spend but how much you buy for loved ones!

I like the way you save! Coins in a jar all year to be changed out for Christmas Dinner. That's really all we need, food and companionship, love and joy. Yes, Christmas is becomign to materialistic and less and less people are getting together for the holidays just because they can't buy gifts, etc... It's more then just that. Christ was born in a stable for us, and died for us.

I meant to say, that's the best gift of all.

It certainly is the best gift of all! Our first Christmas my husband and I weer broke as he had returned to JA for his father;s funeral and we did not have much Money for Christmas. We bought each other a cheap Santa stocking and filled it with little small gifts of something to make each other laugh ((I gave him a plastic toy duck for when he bathed) stuff like that. We had a great time together. Each gift was individually wrapped so it took ages to get the wrapping paper off.

The saving of he coins is something that I have adioen for so many years and it helps a great deal with expenses as I like to have all my children together at Christmas if they are on the Island and close friends too.

I think my family has always started to buy gifts before the chirstmas season began, and even after christmas. With the financial situation the way it is, it's almost a must. I am glad you were able to buy gifts all this year, so you'll be ready for Christmas in a few months. Hope you have a merry christmas.

Christmas sales are always good, and spending as little as possible is great too... afterall it's the thought that counts! Christmas is more then just commercialism.

Preparing a list is a very sensible Idea. It helps to figure out what everyone wants/ needs/ you think they'd like, and also helps with keeping up with the finances. I don't have a job, but my husband does. Either way, we'll be buying for family only, and a close friend. We're not sure how much money we'll have to spend this year, it depends on his check and what I make from mylot. Giving gifts that are made are a nice idea. Making your own decorations are nice as well. My husband's family has a tradition of getting an ornament every Christmas for the Christmas tree, I think it's a nice tradition.

I appreciate your advices, and they were very helpful. I hope you have fun shopping for friends, family and colleagues!