Holiday Smart Spending

[pepperdoo]

This year my Christmas will be as frugal as ever, but this year I have managed to budget my way into a pretty good Holiday season. I have all my baking items except for one, my pantry is full, and my days are planned out pretty much till New Years Day. I had planned to spend around $200 total on festivities, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years combined and I came in at $146.00. Not too bad this year. I'm pretty happy with things as they are. 

What are your plans for this Holiday season?

[Deleted]

$146.00 ?
 Some people spend more than that on the gas to go ("over the river and through the woods") to Grandmother's house and back.

[Blonde Granny]

Our little community of about 20 houses is having TDay dinner this Saturday.  I'm bringing some cranberry relish sauce from the Fresh Market (think whole foods) $20.  Our good friends are coming for 3 days Nov. 24 so will do a little cooking, maybe 1 dinner and a couple of breakfasts.  Who knows how much I'll spend. 

Our son and DIL usually come with the 3 grandkids, so it's money for gifts and some food, again not a big deal.

For Xmas it's just the 2 of us, so we won't bother with it, just hope for a couple of good football games. 


....It is Jan. 15th yet?

[pepperdoo]

Nov 7, 2013 19:36:36 GMT -5 @patiencetried said:

$146.00 ?
 Some people spend more than that on the gas to go ("over the river and through the woods") to Grandmother's house and back.

I started back in the late summer gathering my specialty items for my baking and most items I either got for free or next to nothing. I already have on order and paid for the ham and prime rib, and that was included in the $146.00. I just love Amazon. I got vanilla beans with my swagbucks to add to my vanilla bottle so it's really going to be flavorful. 

10 boxes of pasta for $4.80, 10 cans of chicken stock were $4.80, 10 cans of beef broth at $4.80 and that will cover a lot of cooking, 10 cans of pinto beans for $7.80, for refried beans, dips and to add to dishes. Our local FoodsCo has sales if you buy 10 of certain items they slash the price dramatically. 

2 bags of unbleached flour, 5 pounds each at $1.98 a bag, so there's the bulk of my baking staple for less than $5.00. 

I still have the rest to spend but i'm waiting to see what grocery Outlet has coming up for sales

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

There's just the two of us and my wonderful DH doesn't like turkey (and I don't like stuffing or gravy), so Thanksgiving for us will probably be just another Thursday night at home with the kitties.

We don't decorate for or celebrate Christmas.

We do budget for end-of-the-year charitable giving including "tips and gratuities" for people we employ.... but I don't know if that falls under the category of "Holiday Smart Spending."

On New Years, we usually stay home and try to avoid falling bullets. (People in our city have the unfortunate habit of shooting off weapons at midnight)

As of right now, I "think" my wonderful DH will be in town for all three holidays ~ subject to change, of course.

[Ombud]

I'm cheap. So I'm hoping to keep it to $400 plus Macys. I need 10 identical baked items (thinking pkgs of 1/2 dz cookies each) for sharing, for the 5 GKs: outfit / stuffed dradles / toy or book depending on age, DD+BF, DS+fiancee, Thanksgiving & 1 Hanukkah Dinners. Have $175 in Macys reward cards + two $20 off $50 vouchers. Kids don't like Macys so we'll hit up H&M Black Friday (2nd day of Hanukkah).

Actually, just need chocolate coins for dradles & they're done .... already have little painted dradles & $10 bills for them.

Will buy for food bank if I have $$ leftover from the $400

[Apple]

I will probably not spend much either.  We pretty much "potluck" Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, each of us bringing something.  I'll probably volunteer to make the pies again.  So, all crust supplies in the pantry, have nuts, sugar, and canned pumpkin already.

We don't exchange gifts really, but if the jerky I'm making this weekend works out, I might make some of that for everyone the weekend before Christmas (have a LOT of ground beef in the freezer from the side of beef I just got).  A few dollars a pound, I'll likely make the marinade myself so won't have to buy spice packets.

If we do a tree, we'll just cut a small one down off the property. 

The only "real" money I'll spend would be on DS, but he isn't getting anything real expensive this year (he got a laptop year before last? and a Kindle Fire last year).  I'll get him the rest of the Game of Thrones series if he hasn't caught up by then.  Other than that, not sure what he'll be getting.

[Deleted]

Nov 7, 2013 19:32:54 GMT -5 pepperdoo said:

 my days are planned out pretty much till New Years Day.

You are just frightening!!!!

[Deleted]

Nov 7, 2013 22:45:19 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

There's just the two of us and my wonderful DH doesn't like turkey (and I don't like stuffing or gravy), so Thanksgiving for us will probably be just another Thursday night at home with the kitties.

We don't decorate for or celebrate Christmas.

We do budget for end-of-the-year charitable giving including "tips and gratuities" for people we employ.... but I don't know if that falls under the category of "Holiday Smart Spending."

On New Years, we usually stay home and try to avoid falling bullets. (People in our city have the unfortunate habit of shooting off weapons at midnight)

As of right now, I "think" my wonderful DH will be in town for all three holidays ~ subject to change, of course.

I do steaks (filets) on one of the holidays.  I think my kids don't love turkey, so we might do Ham for one holiday and steak or a standing rib roast for the other.  Steak & stuffing - yummmm.

Hope you do get your hubby for the holidays!

[marvholly]

Molly said:
On New Years, we usually stay home and try to avoid falling bullets. (People in our city have the unfortunate habit of shooting off weapons at midnight).

My reason for staying home is nearly as pragmatic. Late DH had a friend who was a VERY heavy, constant (daily) drinker – to the point of being blotto & slurring his words. The ONLY night he did not drink was NYE. He refused to ‘compete’ on amateur night.

Also, I suspect if your DH does not have orders yet you will definatly have hime for turkey day 93 weeks) and probably for Christmas (6.5 week). NYE might be tight but you shoud know in a couple more weeks.

Ombud
Thank you for reminding me about dreidels. Need for 4 grands.

[resolution]

This is the first year we are going to not give gifts on DH side of the family. Instead we have been told if we want to contribute something to bring a special dish to share at the holiday meal. I am still trying to figure out what to bring since three of our family members have jumped onto the gluten free fad.

[NancysSummerSip]

Just two of us for Thanksgiving; mostly traditional meal, with extra turkey to make potpies.

For the remainder of the holiday weekend: Friday will be more Jewish, since Hanukkah is the same week: pot roast and potato pancakes. Saturday we have a formal dinner withe one of DH's car clubs. Sunday will likely be leftovers.

Christmas is always at a friend's house. I do the desserts. I am making gingerbread and chocolate-covered marshmallows for the treat bags. The main dessert will probably be a yellow cake with the salted caramel buttercream that on the Dessert thread.

[ohmomto2boys]

In regard to food, I will spend around $200 total for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Our family get togethers everyone brings something.  I am hosting Thanksgiving for DH's family so my biggest expense is a turkey. 

Gifts are another story. Nothing frugal here.   Our kids this year - we are spending about $350 each.  DS#1 is getting an I-pod so that was $200, another $100 in clothes and $50 for lego's.  This is the most we have ever spent on the kids.  They definitely need the clothes.  DS#2 is going to have more items under the tree since he is not getting an I-pod. 

My side of the family is fairly inexpensive.  Spend $50 on my parents, and $25 on each niece and nephew which totals $125.  There is another exchange at $10 each and a kids exchange at $5 each = $30 - so a grand total of $205 for my side of the family.

DH's family - is more expensive.  $30 gift exchange x 4 = $120, $50 gift exchange = $100, $35 for a niece and nephew = $70.  DH will spend about $200 on his mom.  Grand total - $490 or more (depends on how much he spends on his mom). 

I have also spend $150 on DH - he is done. 

Grand total (estimate) = $1,545 + food.   Not pretty, but we have the money saved so that is not an issue. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Thanksgiving:  We'll drive to my mom's, which is about an hour away.  I'm in charge of homemade pies as usual. 

Christmas:  My immediate family virtually drew Secret Santa names via a really fun website.  Budget is $30.  We also buy stocking stuffers for each other.  It's really fun.  Total budget for these, and a few other gifts will be about $300.  The chunk of that is gifts for DH.

Decorations/misc:  I haven't purchased anything new for the house in years.  We have an artificial tree which DH bought at Family Dollar years ago.

Still tossing around the idea of baking again this year.  When I told DH I wasn't going to, he had a hurt puppy dog look on his face.   Last year it was a two day process, and I made at least 7 different cookies, bars, etc.  If I do bake this year, the number of things will drastically reduce.

When I was abusing credit cards years ago, I'd spend at least $1,000 on Christmas.

New Years:  DH stay home to avoid the road rookies and usually have a really nice supper.  Crab legs and lobster tail bought on sale?  Yes please! 

[pepperdoo]

Nov 8, 2013 0:31:18 GMT -5 @rockit said:

Nov 7, 2013 19:32:54 GMT -5 pepperdoo said:

 my days are planned out pretty much till New Years Day.

You are just frightening!!!!

Rock It, you crack me sideways  It's like that because after my husband died a few years ago everything was total chaos and drama here. I plan out now because I like the structure, but mostly because I love the Holidays so much that getting into the kitchen, I know everything will run relatively smoothly, and I have more time for fun

[NoNamePerson]

My DIL and her sister do all the cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Years ago I offered to bring something as did their mother. They told us that we had done it all those years and now it was their time. I thought that was so sweet but personally I think it is because they know I am dangerous in the kitchen  

Have I said that I have a wonderful DIL?

[dancinmama]

Thanksgiving:  Potluck at DSIS's home.  I am always asked to bring my famous sweet potatoes.  I purchased Princella when I found them for $.50/can. last spring.  All other ingredients are also in the stockpile.

Christmas:  We do a family "pick a name" gift exchange.  It will cost $50 ea. for the gifts that DH and I will purchase.  I can usually stretch that to make the value of the gifts well beyond $50.  I will make candy bags for the nephews' gifts.  I already have the candy.  They are not little kids any more so I am starting to ween them off of expecting much of anything at Christmas.  We will give gift cards to DS:  Kohl's, Safeway, and gas.  We will gift money to the charity of choice for my mom (the only living parent).

DH and I don't exchange Xmas gifts.  We just buy what we want or need when we want it or need it.  We are buying airline tickets to visit his sister for a week in early December.  I guess you could call that Christmas to each other. 

I already have what I need for making my famous home-made peanut brittle. 

[HappyLady]

I try and buy gifts throughout the year on sale/clearance.  For example, after Christmas last year, I bought ornaments at 90% off for all my nieces that I will give them this year.  Similarly, I bought an outdoor lawn decoration after summer that I'll give out for a gift as well. 

By doing my shopping through the year when things are on sale/clearance, I usually end up with thoughtful gifts, that look way more expensive than I actually paid for them

[wvugurl26]

Maybe he wants the new iPad and iPhone pat. Apple just released new versions of both.

[Blonde Granny]

We only do gifts for grandkids. Each (3 of them) get $150 cash, and 2 of them have birthdays...one Nov. 28 the other Dec. 26.  We give each one $100. The 2 oldest will be 13 & 15 this year, the youngest just turned 8.

If we don't see them this holiday season, the cards with checks will go in the mail soon, making sure the birthday girl gets her gift before the 28th.

[Artemis Windsong]

I have gotten shoeitis.  For myself.  I did find a pair of interesting shoes on 11-12-13 for $14 so I ordered them.

I have been desiring a pair of Dansko shoes.  Of course, because they are a bit spendy for me.  I found some new ones in my price range.  A pair of barely used ones went for $10.50 on e-bay and I forgot to watch the auction that day.  Oh well.

A lot of the styles are well over $100.  Shopping pays.

How does this fit with the holidays?  Gifting myself early .  And a lot more excuses.

[donnafreedman]

Going to Phoenix to visit my daughter for Christmas.
Due to the recent mass layoff at Microsoft and my decision not to try to replace all the income right away, I'm making this a really frugal Christmas. For gifts, I:
1. Cashed in points from three rewards credit cards
2. Cashed in MyPoints rewards
3. Am buying some gifts from Amazon with free gift cards from Swagbucks
Out of pocket, I've spent less than $5 so far.
Most business associates will get moose or Iditarod calendars from the Anchorage Daily News; a friend who works there bought them with the employee discount so I'm paying just a few dollars each plus postage. (They even come with their own mailing envelopes.)
A couple of business associates and some friends/family will get homemade candy (salted caramels, peanut brittle) and homemade jam. Over the past year I've bought ingredients at clearance prices and/or with coupons. The only thing left to buy is peanuts, and I'm hoping to catch another sale. I even got the decorative tins on half-price day at the thrift store.
While in Phoenix I will take DD and DSIL out to lunch a couple of times using gift cards I got from those rewards programs. I also bought a discounted gift card for the movies, so we can go out at least one night. Mostly I'll be doing frugal stuff: daily walks, a little Christmas baking, hanging out with DD and binge-watching the shows she thinks I might like. (Don't have a television here in the Casa de Midlife Love.)
And if my sore shoulder gets better before then? I'll probably do some cleaning. Merry Christmas, indeed...!

[pepperdoo]

I think frugal Holidays are good for us. It makes us more appreciative of how valuable we are, instead of what the World thinks we should have and be 

[Iggy aka IG]

Though DH and I are going to mom's tomorrow, we are having a party this Saturday.  Went and picked up a few items last night.  Spent $14.63 in a $52.63 order:

$30 gift card from DH's boss
$1 paper coupon
$5 value card savings
$2+tax cash back at the Customer Service Counter for a buy 2 Caress items, receive $2 off your next order Catalina coupon that didn't print out last week.

[grits]

People have gotten so caught up in the buying frenzy that they have gone mad. Example 1: A $500 dollar Kroger card was being auctioned. The shipping price was $4.95. Some goober ran the card price up to $495.00. It means they saved a whole nickel. Example 2:  There was a $100 gift card. A goober ran the auction price up to $101. They lost money on the deal.

[cronewitch]

I am not really doing gifts anymore ever, just got tired of shopping and wrapping. I am giving people cash gifts now but decided not to ever do it on a holiday so they don't come to expect it.