Are you cutting back?

Yes, we have to cut back also, it seems like everyone lately is cutting back this holiday season. This year I believe I can give my husband only a few gifts. Usually I can afford to give him 7 or more gifts for Christmas . Also I have a large family and I will also have to cut back on how much I spend this year on each of their gifts. My son probably will not get as much for Christmas also. I think he will be able to get a few gifts from me also, but he had a great birthday a few weeks ago and he got almost everything he wanted then so I don't have to worry too much about his Christmas gifts and I can focus on giving him lots of cool stocking suffers and a few games for his playstation.

Hi. Well it's basically not because of the season I am cutting back on shopping etc. I am doing so because of the current financial situation in the country and want to save money in case of an emergency. As far as Christmas shopping goes, we always get new Christmas ornaments, a new tree, new lights, candy and chocolates, and stockings every year. And this year im planning my brother a new Sony PSP(don't tell him) it's a surprise, he has been saving money from his allowance for two months to get one, so i thought i would do something nice for him.

I cut back years ago when I couldn't afford to pay my monthly bills and my rent anymore.

I have cut back on the clothes in the past, not buying as much and saving money for other things. For food I was using cupons for the first time in my life and buying more sale brands. Since gas has gone down by so much It has allowed me not to have to cut back on my christmas shopping which I am glad for. I will still be able to afforid as nice a christmas for my family as I did last year.

I will be cutting back this year on Christmas. I have told the Children also. They will get their big present and clothes, but I an cutting back on things they do not really need this year. I have told family to just make sure their own family is bought for (children). I got into dept once for Christmas but never again. I have learnt the hard way.

Income opportunities are not stable since last year and I may not have enough after this coming Christmas if I won't cut back a bit. Material things and abundant food are not really the essence of Christmas, anyway.

I did most of my shopping before the economy went bust. I am going to spend about $150 to $200 this X-Mas. Anyway, a lot of stores here in California are closing, and I must admit, I am taking full advantage of the situation. My mother and I are buying towels from Mervyn's until we burst. To all Californians, get what you can out of "Black Friday", because this one is going to go down in the history books as being one of the biggest "Black Fridays" ever since a lot of the stores in your local area are going out of business.

We are definitely cutting back this Christmas. Our whole extended family is going through rough financial times, so none of us has any extra money this holiday. We've always managed to make the holidays special by what we do; not by what we spend. Ex. we play more board games, card games, drive around see the Christmas lights, Christmas plays, etc. I usually spend about $1200 total on my family of 5, extended family of 12 and 3 teachers. This year it will be more like $800 or less if I can find some great deals.

I started saving for this christmas in January, not with a club or anything just on my own and so I have not had to cut back. I have though, I have cut back on what I get for the kids, instead of getting millions of things this year they will have two of the main things that they want. I just realised after last christmas that they do not appreciate the things they had and they get way too much. I have also set budgets for parents and other relations because it is just too much.

We are cutting back or maybe I should say I cut back and my husband spends what I save lol Christmas doesn't really change here. We have three children and usually spend about $1200-1500. I started shopping here and there since June and usually my husband does all the Christmas shopping the night before Christmas. We almost have all of our shopping done.

Hi Anne18 I have probably spent more on my kids this year than I have in previous years but then this will only be their third Christmas as my husband was Muslim, well he probably still is but he was my husband, well technically still is but lets not go there. I stick to certain things that I will buy them like they always get pyjamas, pants and socks and will have a stocking that consist of 10 items each. They will have one main present then I will buy little extra things if I see them!

We are cutting back on everything including paying on our bills. We just don't have any money. Our kids aren't even going to get bought gifts this year. We are using an outreach program.I am making gifts for everyone else. I hate Christmas.

Hi Anne, I am definitely not spending as much on Christmas this year nor any other year from now on, I have never gone into debt for it, anyways I'm pretty good I start early but last year I lost my sister she was only 33 at the time and I watch her daughter who will be without her mum for christmas and that makes me want to make my children see that we are lucky and very blessed to be together for Christmas.

i may cut down on the gifts for my godchildren (i don't have kids of my own). but in terms of celebration, maybe not. my family doesn't really spend a lot on food and gifts to each other. heck, we're usually asleep during noche buena (christmas feast - eve of the 25th) when most of my countrymen are celebrating.