Christmas gifts in a bad economy

Christmas gifts in a bad economy (Full Version)

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tazzygirl -> Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 8:36:11 AM)
So, December is right around the corner. Taking a suggestion.. I believe it was angel's... from another thread... What do you do for Christmas when you have little money but lots of love?

Lockit -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 8:54:15 AM)
One year after I became sick and had to resign, Christmas was one month away. The kids got one of their favorite toys, colored Christmas pictures on paper bags and wrapped their gift to one another up. They remember that Christmas as the best Christmas ever and they had some major Christmas's. My best Christmas was spending one alone with a man I will never forget, on an estate we were remodeling, with a fireplace for heat and constant rain, drinking White Russians and sealing our love. This year, some are getting one of my poem's I wrote that I know they will love, in a picture frame. Each will get a different one. The kids are getting a Christmas craft day where we make gifts for others and a dvd. lol

littlewonder -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 8:56:44 AM)
make each other gifts, go to the thrift stores and find things for each other, put things on layaway or save back money to buy what I want. Most of my life has been like that up until the last few years. There used to be this children's Golden book that my daughter absolutely adored as a child. About two years ago she asked me what happened to the book. I told her I think it went to the thrift store along with all her old toys. She was a little heartbroken...so that Christmas I went on Ebay and found the book for a....a penny lol. On Christmas day she was in tears because she loved it so much. Last year she was asking me about all her pictures from when she was a kid so I scanned them all, bought a nice but inexpensive photobook, printed them all out on photo paper and gave them to her as a Christmas gift. She still has it sitting right on top of her dresser and loves to look at it. It doesn't take much at all if you just pay attention to what people say.

Ninebelowzero -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 8:58:52 AM)
Well boy has asked for an old analogue SLR camera, a top end Canon A1 which was what pro's used pre digital goes for £150 in perfect condition. I reckon it's a goer as it's a learning tool.

HannahLynn -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 9:01:22 AM)
time. just take that time off work and spend it alone together, don't even get out of fucking bed if you don't want to.

LillyBoPeep -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 9:12:11 AM)
spending time with them, especially since i hardly get to see them anymore. most of my holiday money will go for gas to drive back home ----- orrr help them get up here, if they decide they want a change of scenery. (but cripes do i miss the house and miss the land; i'd much rather go back... i just dread the drive.) also, i'm going to make gifts this year. i can crochet, so i'll probaby make some scarves -- people in my family have generally simple tastes because none of us have ever been anything but poor. haha and a scarf is practical, and people in my family generally really like things like that. something that's practical but shows that you cared enough to spend time on it. i have some extra canvas and i've been working on some personal paintings, too.

ChatteParfaitt -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 9:14:10 AM)
The xmas after my ex and I bought our house, money was tight, as we were doing so many much needed renovations. The kids were little then, our daughter 2, our son almost 5. I bought felt and sequins from the sewing store, trim and other decorations from the thrift store, and the kids and I made our own Xmas decorations. My kids are very artistic, so they turned out fantastic. They still use the three kings we made. My daughter helped me make a Santa wreath out of red felt and cotton balls, both helped me make the colored macaroni garland (with lots of glitter, of course!). Your local library is filled with cheap craft ideas that are fun to do with kids (FREE of charge). We bought a cheap set of xmas cookie cutters and spent hours decorating our cookies, listening and singing along to carols, of course. By three my daughter knew all the words (I'm so not kidding). We created so many wonderful traditions that Xmas, including cutting down our own tree, and donating things we no longer used for people who might need them. Mainly, we spent time together, delighting in the fact that we were warm and well fed and life is good, if you can find joy in it.

Delilya -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 9:21:12 AM)
I buy throughout the year as I find sales and squirrel it away. Same with decorations, I only add to my collection after Christmas when they are marked down. Generally what it consists of is I buy each family a board game to play with the children. Then I make fudge for the adults and cookies for the children. Same with my Dad. My siblings all have an agreement that since we have so many grands now, we don't exchange gifts. It keep it simple and affordable for me.

Lockit -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 9:22:37 AM)
One year I made bean bags for a toss game I made them. For adults, you can make rice bags... that can be heated in a microwave to ease pain. There are great web sites for children's crafts that I got some great ideas from this year and I think the kids will have a great time with some of the things we are going to make. They had finger puppets which are really good for drives and times when they need to sit quietly. We will be making rock picture frames for the adults and coupon books for little kid deeds that really make them feel great in helping. My daughter now tries to find something I can eat... she will search high and low for something she can make me that will be special and taste better than cardboard. That matters to me... a lot and her trying so hard to please me and give me a tasty gift means the world to me. Last year it was gluten free pumpkin cookies. Yummm

Ninebelowzero -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 9:29:48 AM)
you can make great balls out of elastic bands, travel for miles when batted.

LaTigresse -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 11:39:56 AM)
Ideas for those that have a few dollars to spend. If you have a digital camera, and printer........go to a craft store and for a few dollars you can get enough supplies to make some really cool photo gifts. I've done this several times. Go through the photos of the last year, pick out favourites and those that will be meaningful for the individual/s. Print them out different sizes. Get a big ass piece of foam core board (I prefer the black), some spray adhesive and a cheap exacto knife. Then use your imagination and create. Another great place for gifts are second hand stores and antiques shops. Almost everything I get my son-in-law comes from an antiques shop nearby. One year I got some great old Tonka toys(the metal indestructable ones) for the boys for less than $10 each.

Ninebelowzero -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 12:21:23 PM)
Hahahahaha boy & I are talking about getting a scrapper bike & doing it up for him, he thinks it's a neat idea. At least he learns how stuff works which we both think is pretty cool. Last yr I got him a real Fender Squire Strat for £30 which is a hell of a steal. we don't mind 2nd hand because we know it will get battered.

popeye1250 -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 12:37:02 PM)
Well, for the men I'd recommend a large bottle of Jack Daniels with a box of rubbers scotch-taped to it. I'll think of something for the ladies later.

Kaliko -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 12:40:13 PM)
I have never been one to spend tons of money for the holidays, in good or in bad times. This year, while I will be buying my daughter some store bought gifts, I am also making her a scrapbook with letters from me and her father, and I am making her a quilt from her favorite shirts that she has grown out of.

slaveluci -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 2:22:28 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: popeye1250 Well, for the men I'd recommend a large bottle of Jack Daniels with a box of rubbers scotch-taped to it. I'll think of something for the ladies later. Hey! Who says that's NOT for the ladies[;)] luci

slaveluci -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 2:24:08 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: littlewonder It doesn't take much at all if you just pay attention to what people say. Exactly. That goes for birthdays, anniversaries and any other special days as well. Truly listening to what people say or just paying close attention to what you seeing them collect or enjoy can give you tons of inexpensive but thoughtful ideas for gifts.....luci

tazzygirl -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 2:26:59 PM)
was thinking the same thing luci [:D] These ideas are wonderful everyone! One christmas I crocheted my son an afghan... talk about alot of work! That was maybe four years ago... when he watches TV or plays his video games, he says he thinks of me because he pulls it over and snuggles up beneath it. Always makes me smile!

dreamofthemoon -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 3:14:10 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: slaveluci quote: ORIGINAL: littlewonder It doesn't take much at all if you just pay attention to what people say. Exactly. That goes for birthdays, anniversaries and any other special days as well. Truly listening to what people say or just paying close attention to what you seeing them collect or enjoy can give you tons of inexpensive but thoughtful ideas for gifts.....luci What they said. [:D]

abrattyprincess -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 3:25:04 PM)
On years that I'm really struggling with money I end up doing Christmas cards with some pictures in them and/or little tins of cookies/teas/hot chocolates or something of that nature. Tins can be found at Dollar Stores and people always reuse those so it's also something that comes in handy once the goodies are gone. I've also made glass markers with little charms, my own Christmas tree ornaments, and homemade snow globes (that was tough!) to pass out to everyone.

Arpig -> RE: Christmas gifts in a bad economy (11/12/2011 3:27:05 PM)
Nothing, I'm not Christian, so I don't do Christmas.

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