How many Christmas gifts will be under your tree this year?

I have never done and thought about that, shopping for next Christmas after another... Good idea, but well, I am always a last-minute shopper.

Sorry about your hubby, with the financial difficulties I think what you did then was really worth it. At least you have prepared some gifts earlier.

I will also spend less on gifts this year because our budget is also tight and I don't want to look for expensive gifts, as long as everybody receives something especially my niece and nephews, that will make me happy already.

I agree with you about being creative. I have been thinking of designing my own Christmas cards as well, at least I can still save a few dollars on something else.

We never even had a live tree before. We only use the artificial one and I guess that's more than enough. I just love to sit and watch the color lights on the Christmas tree...

Oh, your statement really makes me wonder why this year would be a little different... Maybe you can tell me later on if you want to share or you can start another discussion on this matter. Whatever it is, I hope it is not something bad...

Hi, Hatley!

I never knew that about you because I am just getting to know you... We've been affected by the economic downturn as well. We have to spend according to budget and even though I am planning to buy lots of gifts at least for everybody in the family especially for my niece and nephews, but I will find something that will not cost me much.

I've been talking about that with my hubby because he is worried about the expenses as well. So, I could understand your situation*hugs* because right now I have very little money as well and I have been trying to save and keep myself from touching the money and spending unnecessarily.

Anyway, I hope next year will be much much better for us.

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones too, Iriene!

There are at least 13 of us in the family, so, we would exchange gifts and of course, the nephews and niece will receive the most gifts. However, we don't want to burden our parents, so, we will be happy just to buy them gifts and they don't have to get something for us, but my mom sometimes would still do it.

I know what you mean about the kids, holding and shaking the gifts, trying to figure out what's inside! My nephews and niece always do like that and sometimes we would remind them that they would break the things inside so that they would stop doing that, but instead that would only make them curious!! So, the wrappers sometimes didn't look nice already because too many hands!!

Wow, that is really going to be a lot of presents you will be receiving from your students plus the ton of gifts from your mother-in-law! I imagine that you have a big number of students. Have you thought of what kind of gifts you are going to give to each of your students?

All the Christmas gifts under our Christmas tree were mostly to and from family members, only a few of them were from friends and relatives actually because normally they would bring food, wine, cakes or something else.

I am thinking of making something small for the guests as well, but that depends. I am just as excited as I think this year due to the tight budget, I suddenly have lots of ideas!

I know what you mean. The bigger the family are, the more we have to spend on the Christmas gifts. However, all of the gifts do not have to be expensive. I think as long as we 'give' something like food, that will be enough as we have to think of the expenses as well as this season is also not about spending away the money.

So, you have a system on who will be the lucky person, which is kind of fun. I hope the other kids whose names do not come up won't feel bad, but of course, they will receive gifts from the others, right?!

The system is that everybody's name will be drawn out by someone so that everyone gets a gift. It works well, you buy a gift and you receive a gift.

Oh yes, I am very familiar with the system. That was what we did in my past working places for exchange gifts. You just gave me a pretty good idea for my next discussion.

Thanks, Paula!

More than 50 gifts means you have a very big family and that's why you have to start your gifts hunting soon.

I have at least 15 gifts to give away to my hubby and family members, but I hope I can find something that are reasonable and appropriate. I guess I will do my shopping in December as I tend to be a last-minute shopper.

Well, I think it all depends on the number of people in one's family as well as the participation and most importantly, the budget. I always want to make something so that everyone will feel excited about Christmas, but I will also remind myself not to spend on something that is not necessary. So, this year will you be exchanged gifts with your mother??

Wow, you had three trees full of Christmas gifts?? Yeah, I could imagine their reactions when they saw plenty of gifts waiting for them. Normally, they are the happiest persons during this joyous season and all they are waiting for is the time to unwrap all those gifts.

It's interesting to know that you have actually earned many things online. It's a great idea as you can really save a lot. I hope our tree will be as merrier as last year and years before.