I've cut some things out..... cut out cards a long time ago, do not get into any card swaps either at this time, pressure is too much, all the children that are not mine are getting gift cards, probably MIL also. My girls, I love to shop for, so that is how I will spend my time. But, the biggest thing we cut out this year.....
DH and I will not exchange gifts. We have been talking about this for years. This year we discussed it and I told him, honestly, any time I want something, I go out and buy it, same with him, so we cannot come up with any more original ideas. After christmas I spend two weeks returning all the things that don't fit me, same with him, upset that we can't find it in our size. My biggest pressure is coming up with a great surprise for him every year (and he loves that i do) so if i do see something, it will be for his birthday!
We both feel so much better without the pressure of having to get the "great" gift, and so far, he has bought me boots and a bag i loved and have already worn, and some shirts for him! all while we were shopping for the girls, lol, so much fun.
Sitting with my family on christmas morning is all i ever want anyway, so I will enjoy the season itself even more this year!
Cherry Berry
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heleneNY http://emptynestscraproom.blogspot.com/[/url:dgoiopbi]
"The skin I'm in is alright with me, it's not old, just older" ` JBJ
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heleneNY http://emptynestscraproom.blogspot.com/[/url:dgoiopbi]
"The skin I'm in is alright with me, it's not old, just older" ` JBJ
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Cherry Cola
We have cut back a lot in teh past few years. We are doing it incrementally. First we went to a pollyanna with the extended family instead of having to buy like 25 gifts. Then we cut out gifts for adults altogether. Now with the economy, My sister and I decided to not exchange gifts either. Oh and this year we gave up stockings for the adults too.
So all that leaves me is DH, DD, my parents and my grandparents. Not too bad. But I could never cut it out. And I know maybe it is commercialism running rampant, but I love giving my daughter a pile of gifts. I remember what that was like as a kid and I love to see her face light up like that. Of course I did cut back this year. I think I spent about a total of $400 - but that includes my sister's 4 kids, me, DH, DD, my parents AND Hannukkah.
So all that leaves me is DH, DD, my parents and my grandparents. Not too bad. But I could never cut it out. And I know maybe it is commercialism running rampant, but I love giving my daughter a pile of gifts. I remember what that was like as a kid and I love to see her face light up like that. Of course I did cut back this year. I think I spent about a total of $400 - but that includes my sister's 4 kids, me, DH, DD, my parents AND Hannukkah.
We cut down some on this year, but not because I wanted to. My younger brother wanted us to only get stuff for his kids and they'll get something for my DD. . . but not exchanging between the adults. I am sure it's because his wife has a hard time shopping for us . . . which is silly . . .cause I'm super easy to shop for. But, that's what they want to do. He's still going to be mad though cause I spent more on his kids then I said I would . . . got them both gift cards, but then found them stuff too. My niece is into scrapbooking so I got her some stuff and my nephew likes to draw so I got him some drawing stuff.
We're cutting down on DD this year too . . . sort of. Instead of tons of presents to the tune of hundreds of dollars (yes she is spoiled) she's going to get a trip. Actually two trips. One is in April and it's a trip to San Francisco, CA with the music department of her high school. That has been planned for months and she knows about it. The other trip just came up . . . it's a trip in January to attend a softball camp at the University of Washington over a two day period. She thinks she can't go, but we're going to give it to her as her birthday gift which is on January 5.
We're cutting down on DD this year too . . . sort of. Instead of tons of presents to the tune of hundreds of dollars (yes she is spoiled) she's going to get a trip. Actually two trips. One is in April and it's a trip to San Francisco, CA with the music department of her high school. That has been planned for months and she knows about it. The other trip just came up . . . it's a trip in January to attend a softball camp at the University of Washington over a two day period. She thinks she can't go, but we're going to give it to her as her birthday gift which is on January 5.
Cherry Garcia
Those are great gifts because she will remember them forever!MindySue wrote: We cut down some on this year, but not because I wanted to. My younger brother wanted us to only get stuff for his kids and they'll get something for my DD. . . but not exchanging between the adults. I am sure it's because his wife has a hard time shopping for us . . . which is silly . . .cause I'm super easy to shop for. But, that's what they want to do. He's still going to be mad though cause I spent more on his kids then I said I would . . . got them both gift cards, but then found them stuff too. My niece is into scrapbooking so I got her some stuff and my nephew likes to draw so I got him some drawing stuff.
We're cutting down on DD this year too . . . sort of. Instead of tons of presents to the tune of hundreds of dollars (yes she is spoiled) she's going to get a trip. Actually two trips. One is in April and it's a trip to San Francisco, CA with the music department of her high school. That has been planned for months and she knows about it. The other trip just came up . . . it's a trip in January to attend a softball camp at the University of Washington over a two day period. She thinks she can't go, but we're going to give it to her as her birthday gift which is on January 5.
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