2017 Holiday Spending

[Iggy aka IG]

Are you planning on spending more, less, or about the same as last year?

[swamp]

I don't know.  whatever happens, happens. 

[Chocolate Lover]

Hopefully less, I think I went a little over budget last year. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Yeah, here, too.  When we bought the house, DH and I decided no more Christmas presents.  It's amazing how much simpler life became in reviewing my list today, LOL. 

[Chocolate Lover]

If the kids didn't like actually getting gifts (even if they have a good idea what they are) I'd be handing out envelopes of cash and calling it good.

[Iggy aka IG]

LOL. They're welcome? 

[Chocolate Lover]

The oldest 2 would probably be fine with it but the youngest is still young/immature enough to want to open stuff and find something fun under the tree... blah blah. I'm so over it that I'd rather not even have a tree. 

[dee27]

Who knows how much we will spend since our kids are adults and do not want clutter? DH and I do not exchange gifts, but we decorate the house and send cards to family and friends. I buy the cards @ 50% off at the end of the season; however, we make donations to two charities before the end of the year.

[Blonde Granny]

The same, each grandchild gets a check for $150. no exchanging gifts to adults.

[Iggy aka IG]

Oct 26, 2017 15:58:05 GMT -5 dee27 said:

Who knows how much we will spend since our kids are adults and do not want clutter? DH and I do not exchange gifts, but we decorate the house and send cards to family and friends. I buy the cards @ 50% off at the end of the season; however, we make donations to two charities before the end of the year.

Something similar here regarding clutter:  We do a Secret Santa exchange among just our immediate family.  DH was disappointed to learn we're doing it again this year.  He's all NO MORE STUFF.  He's still reeling from moving our belongings into storage earlier this year, and then again into our new house a few months later.  I asked him what is he worried about?  All he ever gets are gift cards anyway. 

That's wonderful you donate to charity, dee27.

[wvugurl26]

If I really wanted to know I could add up last year's total. But I don't care that much.

Certain people get about the same amount. Others like my grandma and dad I'll spend whatever I feel like.

My DH wants a shot gun and clothes.

[chiver78]

much less. I hosted Thanksgiving last year, and this year I am working that day. ahh!

[TheOtherMe]

Exactly the same.  Will give my dad a gift card to Dairy Queen and a check to my niece to buy gifts for her kids.  My shopping is done.  

Don't do any other gift exchanges.

[zibazinski]

We’re doing a trip instead. We’ll still hang together and eat at the actual holiday.

[Deleted]

I do a Christmas Club account and put $100 a month aside.  Remember that I have 9 grandchildren.  I don't do presents for the adults, but I do buy the moms a photo ornament of my favorite group picture of the year.  I buy a present for my sister and another for her grandson.  I send both my sister and cousin (she's also like a sister) a copy of the calendar my DIL makes.  I have a few special charities, too, like Wreaths Across America.

This year I put an extra $10 a month just for me.  I have noticed that all my favorite stores have fantastic sales.  Like I bought a new electronic crock pot a few years ago.  I can afford stuff like this, but I decided to buy myself a Christmas present every year.  I think it will be fun.

So, yes, it went up but purposefully.  DH always freaks out when he sees a check for $1200 designated for Christmas, but he is glad I have the foresight to do it. 

[Happy prose]

alwaysbeoptimizing I'm all for that cruise as a gift for the family. Worth every penny. The memories won't be disgarded after a month like toys either.  Go for it!

[tcu2003]

Oct 26, 2017 15:15:02 GMT -5 swamp said:

I don't know.  whatever happens, happens. 

Ditto. Probably more unless we can convince a few adults not to do gifts this year as C is now old enough to want Lego sets, and dang, those are expensive. M is only 1 and has all of her brother's old toys, so we won't spend much on her as she neither needs nor wants anything (but will have something under the tree so big brother doesn't get upset on her behalf).

If my alma mater keeps up their football winning ways, I may tell DH I want my (our) Christmas present to be a college playoff game trip, but we'll see. My kids are still too young to really enjoy it, so not sure if we'd actually go or not.

[whoisjohngalt]

I am so so soooo very tired of all the crap we have.

I asked kids if they would like to do a weekend trip instead of presents this year. I made it sounds so appealing. They LOVED the idea!! Started talking about where we could go, what kind of things we could see... DS1 wanted to go to NYC. Another one wanted to go to a huge science museum in VT. Youngest wanted to go Disney.



And then DS2 asked "but we still would get presents, right"? I just left the room.....

[chiver78]

Oct 26, 2017 18:29:54 GMT -5 alwaysbeoptimizing said:

Oct 26, 2017 15:15:02 GMT -5 swamp said:

I don't know.  whatever happens, happens. 

I like it.  when can i give myself permission to buy cool crap for the kids.  we try not to buy much for them because everyone else does.  but there's some cool stuff i'd like to get them.  DW would kill me though.

I'm thinking they'd go bananas for

and

um, you guys are up to adopt, yes? I clean my own room and pitch in. and rumor has it, I can cook.

[resolution]

I plan to spend a bit more this year. I have a new nephew, who just arrived last week.

[tcu2003]

Oct 27, 2017 0:31:52 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

I am so so soooo very tired of all the crap we have.

I asked kids if they would like to do a weekend trip instead of presents this year. I made it sounds so appealing. They LOVED the idea!! Started talking about where we could go, what kind of things we could see... DS1 wanted to go to NYC. Another one wanted to go to a huge science museum in VT. Youngest wanted to go Disney.



And then DS2 asked "but we still would get presents, right"? I just left the room.....

Because I'm curious, which science museum, Lena?

[NoNamePerson]

About the same as last year. I feel like we just "swap money" If I had my way it would be limited to the only little one in the two families but my DIL's mother would shit a green squealer if she didn't have tons of crap to open and - well never mind I won't go there. 

I know I sound like scrooge but except for one it is all adults. Personally I would just as soon as they donate to charity for amount they would give me and let me do the same.

But I do enjoy shopping for DIL's niece.  She also has a birthday Jan 10 so I do all of it at the same time!! 

[countrygirl2]

We will likely spend more, already have, bought the kids a new car.

I'm thinking of getting son a leaf blower and a weedeater, will be
Stihl if I do they are good ones.

DIL, maybe kitchen items since they have 220 stuff over there and I
think a lot of them will have to be replaced. They will need so
much stuff for their new home we have wide choices.

I will have to control myself buying grandson toys and such.

Not sure for little DD, she wanted a Wii and we found her a used
one she is happy with, could not get her to wait.

[whoisjohngalt]

Oct 27, 2017 7:34:49 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

Oct 27, 2017 0:31:52 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

I am so so soooo very tired of all the crap we have.

I asked kids if they would like to do a weekend trip instead of presents this year. I made it sounds so appealing. They LOVED the idea!! Started talking about where we could go, what kind of things we could see... DS1 wanted to go to NYC. Another one wanted to go to a huge science museum in VT. Youngest wanted to go Disney.



And then DS2 asked "but we still would get presents, right"? I just left the room.....

Because I'm curious, which science museum, Lena?

Montshire

www.montshire.org/

[Iggy aka IG]

Oct 27, 2017 0:31:52 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

I am so so soooo very tired of all the crap we have.

I asked kids if they would like to do a weekend trip instead of presents this year. I made it sounds so appealing. They LOVED the idea!! Started talking about where we could go, what kind of things we could see... DS1 wanted to go to NYC. Another one wanted to go to a huge science museum in VT. Youngest wanted to go Disney.



And then DS2 asked "but we still would get presents, right"? I just left the room.....

Very much, this.  My dad is this way.  In the past he's treated us to family dinners at The Ritz, an exclusive hunting ranch with an executive chef, and different wineries a few times, once with a horse drawn carriage ride beforehand.  Much more memorable than the unused and now donated ice cream maker cluttering up a kitchen cabinet he and his wife gave us years ago. 

Added:  Congratulations, resolution !

[saveinla]

Oct 27, 2017 0:31:52 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

I am so so soooo very tired of all the crap we have.

I asked kids if they would like to do a weekend trip instead of presents this year. I made it sounds so appealing. They LOVED the idea!! Started talking about where we could go, what kind of things we could see... DS1 wanted to go to NYC. Another one wanted to go to a huge science museum in VT. Youngest wanted to go Disney.



And then DS2 asked "but we still would get presents, right"? I just left the room.....

They are still very young Lena. I would do it for a few more years, but maybe get smaller gifts - more of books, puzzles, clothes etc. 

[MJ2.0]

Oct 27, 2017 9:53:27 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Oct 27, 2017 0:31:52 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

I am so so soooo very tired of all the crap we have.

I asked kids if they would like to do a weekend trip instead of presents this year. I made it sounds so appealing. They LOVED the idea!! Started talking about where we could go, what kind of things we could see... DS1 wanted to go to NYC. Another one wanted to go to a huge science museum in VT. Youngest wanted to go Disney.



And then DS2 asked "but we still would get presents, right"? I just left the room.....

They are still very young Lena. I would do it for a few more years, but maybe get smaller gifts - more of books, puzzles, clothes etc. 

exactly.  You should have known better, Lena!  I love doing trips with DS but I also know he wants stuff to open/play with.  He'll remember trips more when he's older.

[whoisjohngalt]

Oct 27, 2017 9:53:27 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Oct 27, 2017 0:31:52 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

I am so so soooo very tired of all the crap we have.

I asked kids if they would like to do a weekend trip instead of presents this year. I made it sounds so appealing. They LOVED the idea!! Started talking about where we could go, what kind of things we could see... DS1 wanted to go to NYC. Another one wanted to go to a huge science museum in VT. Youngest wanted to go Disney.



And then DS2 asked "but we still would get presents, right"? I just left the room.....

They are still very young Lena. I would do it for a few more years, but maybe get smaller gifts - more of books, puzzles, clothes etc. 

We have soooo soooo soooooo many books and puzzles and board games.   Except for electronic devices, they have every toy imaginable.  They have arts and crafts supplies.  I have gotten them subscription boxes for science and art and even cooking.  Magazine subscriptions.  You name it, they have it.

[NoNamePerson]

Oct 27, 2017 10:08:21 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Oct 27, 2017 9:53:27 GMT -5 saveinla said:

They are still very young Lena. I would do it for a few more years, but maybe get smaller gifts - more of books, puzzles, clothes etc. 

We have soooo soooo soooooo many books and puzzles and board games.   Except for electronic devices, they have every toy imaginable.  They have arts and crafts supplies.  I have gotten them subscription boxes for science and art and even cooking.  Magazine subscriptions.  You name it, they have it.

I had an only child so you can imagine the stuff he had. Every year in March we had a "donation" box that he had to put stuff in. Sometimes even stuff he had gotten that Christmas was put in it. It was his choice of what to put in box not mine. So no haggling over it. 

Were there things I wanted see go - sure but he was in charge of his donations.    I started this when he was around 7.

[saveinla]

NNP beat me to it - time to start talking about giving away stuff they don't like or use anymore. I would still buy them some stuff for Christmas, but smaller things.