tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post7467008598789238788..comments2024-03-26T00:14:00.509-07:00Comments on Crunchy Chicken: Christmas debtUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-89510281225959715122008-12-30T16:31:00.000-08:002008-12-30T16:31:00.000-08:00$600 doesn't seem that outrageous to me, I guess i...$600 doesn't seem that outrageous to me, I guess it depends on if it is just stuff that is "here today gone tomorrow" or actually useful. Maybe because we use holiday presents as a way to give stuff that people "need". ie I got a new camera (which I need for my business) and some new professional looking clothes, both things I would otherwise have to buy. Brother also got clothes, which he Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17516857232705292830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-44177562025059003212008-12-30T11:38:00.000-08:002008-12-30T11:38:00.000-08:00Mazzajo, I think most of us here are really confli...Mazzajo, I think most of us here are really conflicted. Even the handmade gifts, if they were made out of new materials (yarn, fabric, sugar, wood) have an environmental cost.<BR/> <BR/>For me, personally, I feel like $600 is way too much, especially since (once again) I have not met my charitable giving goal for the year. <BR/><BR/>It's a HUGE source of conflict in our household - me, alone, I Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-25278669053882549542008-12-30T11:25:00.000-08:002008-12-30T11:25:00.000-08:00I spent between 2-300$, about average for me. The...I spent between 2-300$, about average for me. The majority was spent on my significant other. I made homemade bread for 12 other people on my holiday list. The remaining money was spent on gifts for a few close friends (bottles of wine to go with the bread) and beer for the roommates.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-73839864827997803232008-12-30T06:02:00.000-08:002008-12-30T06:02:00.000-08:00You bring up some interesting points that I think ...You bring up some interesting points that I think everyone thinks about, but I disagree.<BR/><BR/>I think what you call "justifications" are actually wonderful things. If somebody is spending their gift money on stuff that will help the environment, reduce carbon footprints, and really have heart in it, that's better than just a spree at Wal-Mart.<BR/><BR/>I genuinely think it's a beautiful Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03353162021097479028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-50605037532136172132008-12-29T23:36:00.000-08:002008-12-29T23:36:00.000-08:00It's quite fascinating reading how everyone feels ...It's quite fascinating reading how everyone feels the need to explain or justify what they consider reasonable spending whether it's a lot or a little:<BR/>...but that's for 13 people... <BR/>...but I handmake everything... <BR/>...but a lot was from the thrift store... <BR/>...but that was a combined birthday present... <BR/>...but that included a large electronic gadget... <BR/><BR/>I'm not Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-65690465057115850942008-12-29T17:42:00.000-08:002008-12-29T17:42:00.000-08:00My BF and I spent more this year, but had more to ...My BF and I spent more this year, but had more to spend than in recent years. In the past we spent maybe a couple hundred dollars on 8-9 people. This doesn't count what we spend on gifts for ourselves. We do try to give things we need in addition to personal gifts so it evens out. This year we spent around $300.00 on about 8 people, but that's still not bad. We did spend around 7 times that on Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-75807010607165419192008-12-29T15:12:00.000-08:002008-12-29T15:12:00.000-08:00I'm really annoyed with the idea that spending $60...I'm really annoyed with the idea that spending $600 must be a decadent, consumerist Christmas. Are you kidding me? We were quite frugal and still barely kept it under our usual $800. I think people who spend much less must be skimping on gifts (come on, people, it's about GIVING!) We save money each month all year for Christmas, nothing goes on credit. We have an explicit budget and we don'tJenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03353162021097479028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-48917706041428975982008-12-29T11:39:00.000-08:002008-12-29T11:39:00.000-08:00I cannot say how much I spent. What we do is set ...I cannot say how much I spent. What we do is set aside aside $50 a month ($600 yr.) for gifts. We buy gifts all throughout the year. And this is not just for Christmas...this is for ALL gifts; birthdays, anniversary, wedding, baby showers, etc. <BR/><BR/>We still usually end up with money left over as I'm very frugal and also make a lot of things!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-28489151085526079082008-12-29T11:33:00.000-08:002008-12-29T11:33:00.000-08:00All told, I think I shelled out $90. In that, ther...All told, I think I shelled out $90. In that, there were two bookcases for my kids (one dollhouse one we got in box, that retails for $199(!?!)), a few photos for a handmade album of photos of my husband and the kids (supplies were given to me by my mom), and a new book for my husband. I also made a photo album for my inlaws, which I got free with shipping. My parents got the gift of a Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-85202429997745556932008-12-29T11:30:00.000-08:002008-12-29T11:30:00.000-08:00I can't say how much I spent, I buy gifts thro...I can't say how much I spent, I buy gifts throughout the year when I find things on sale or through co-ops, etc. I can say we spent less than $600, probably somewhere between $100 & $200, and certainly didn't go into debt to do it. But actually based on alot of the people I know, I'd have guessed the average was higher than $600 or $800, it seems like alot of people I know spendSweetpeashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05688283236426618677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-76048153798085879842008-12-29T08:59:00.000-08:002008-12-29T08:59:00.000-08:00We spent less than previous years, but not by much...We spent less than previous years, but not by much and still a bit more than I would have liked (we give gifts to 15 adults and one child). We did a lot of homemade gifts this year, and while we felt really good about it, I don't feel like it helped us much financially. After buying supplies to make all the stuff we made, we spent just about as much as if we had bought finished goods. I Tarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08909872672886308470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-70388446079092576152008-12-29T07:46:00.000-08:002008-12-29T07:46:00.000-08:00Lets see:100$ for my husband.100$ for me200$ for 2...Lets see:<BR/><BR/>100$ for my husband.<BR/>100$ for me<BR/>200$ for 2 kids <BR/>30$ from the kids to us<BR/>130$ for 10 other relatives + 61$ to ship it all home<BR/><BR/>18$ for two friends of mine<BR/>xx$ - whatever Eduardo spent on his friend<BR/><BR/>Only the 200$ for the kids was from our joint account with the rest coming from our personal allowances. We spent at least 650$ spread out overAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-18260040841531341582008-12-29T07:03:00.000-08:002008-12-29T07:03:00.000-08:00I spent about $800 over 2 months and all was paid ...I spent about $800 over 2 months and all was paid in cash. I was shocked at the amount when I totaled it up BUT that did include significant cash gifts for my brother (who recently lost his job) and my daughter's babysitters. We ended up buying/making gifts for 20 people (more than our usual amount) so I don't feel TOO badly about the amount.Mama Mama Quite Contraryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09033437220422551511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-77066360447229751242008-12-29T03:26:00.000-08:002008-12-29T03:26:00.000-08:00Wish I had 600 to spend on anything! I think I spe...Wish I had 600 to spend on anything! I think I spent about 10 dollars on everyone combined. Probably another 10 dollars on one child, the other got a hand down. Hubby spent around 5o dollars on everyone and the kids about 20 each. Thats 9 adults and 2 kids. Most of my stuff was hand made from scraps which helps substantially.<BR/><BR/>The kids did get some really good presents but nothing too knutty knitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00325560883289908412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-83360588581069727192008-12-29T00:46:00.000-08:002008-12-29T00:46:00.000-08:00We spent about $3000.00. I know that is a lot but ...We spent about $3000.00. I know that is a lot but half of it was for a very nice lap top for our Son. We paid cash for everything. We did not buy for extended Family at all. We look at the lap top as an investment for when he goes to College. <BR/><BR/>I was actually glad we did not exchange with extended Family as it is more stress than it is worth and we end up with a bunch of stuff we don't Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-55298271085540052602008-12-28T23:56:00.000-08:002008-12-28T23:56:00.000-08:00I think that total I spent more than that despite ...I think that total I spent more than that despite <A HREF="http://naturallysimple.org/blog1/" REL="nofollow">making many handmade gifts.</A><BR> Materials still cost money and we have a lot of family to buy for. On the other hand, I don't ever use credit cards and I spread the spending out over the year. I am at peace with it. We don't shop much during the year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-68506981855056893342008-12-28T20:49:00.000-08:002008-12-28T20:49:00.000-08:00We spent $325 this year on gifts for 9 adults and ...We spent $325 this year on gifts for 9 adults and 4 children. It's more than I would have liked, but about the same as last year. I make a lot of food gifts, but I try to use really good ingredients and they are expensive, too.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08896172914500564208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-81595079768653465192008-12-28T19:12:00.000-08:002008-12-28T19:12:00.000-08:00We spent about $325. We have four kids and four ni...We spent about $325. We have four kids and four nieces and nephews. The eight kids-ages 6 to 17- agreed to buy a llama through Heifer instead of having their usual gift exchange, so $80 went to our share of that purchase. The adults on both sides of the family stopped exchanging gifts several years ago. Ideally we would have spent a little less, but we didn't break the bank, and the kids joanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01376838714884078571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-32280251758765138822008-12-28T19:07:00.000-08:002008-12-28T19:07:00.000-08:00We spent about $400, I think, maybe $450 including...We spent about $400, I think, maybe $450 including mailing costs, and another $40 on gas for traveling - that's seven immediate family members, three extended-family members (they rotate names, so we went to a party with like 50 people at it and bought gifts for three), hostess gifts, plus food gifts for a bunch of friends and gift certificates/small gifts for another few. Oh, and $100 on cedar/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-55223755118845932092008-12-28T19:03:00.000-08:002008-12-28T19:03:00.000-08:00We spent about $400 on 35 people. Luckily one side...We spent about $400 on 35 people. Luckily one side of the family does secret santa or we would have had 50 people to buy for! A large portion of the $400 went to our two secret santa people (since everyone on that side of the family only gets one gift we allow ourselves to go a little overboard.)<BR/><BR/>Lots of cookies were made, lots of used books were given, and I even sewed something that Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-13165875441326014232008-12-28T18:49:00.000-08:002008-12-28T18:49:00.000-08:00I didn't spend much on actual gifts, but I have so...I didn't spend much on actual gifts, but I have some making up to do, promised my husband some shoes. I did spend more than usual because I hosted Christmas day for my family and bought all sorts of food and goodies to munch on through out the day. That was a gift in itself but I think it was a lot less than years past even including that.mudnessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10542400857346376155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-43125674182564822262008-12-28T18:03:00.000-08:002008-12-28T18:03:00.000-08:00We spent a lot less this year than in previous yea...We spent a lot less this year than in previous years. However, we're all adults, no children in either of our families, so there wasn't a lot of "spoiling" going on from us. My husband and I just do stockings and give gifts like socks, underwear, shampoo, etc. Just stuff we need. I don't exchange with my brothers, since we decided we shouldn't waste our money and time. We try to give Farmer's Daughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04993260095409544097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-8024427272951097312008-12-28T17:53:00.000-08:002008-12-28T17:53:00.000-08:00I didn't really spend a dime, to be truthful. We ...I didn't really spend a dime, to be truthful. We had a "potlach" in my town, and all the presents I gave, came from there (I brought things to give away, as well). Made Holiday cookies at a friends, but she didn't want me to bring any fixin's. We decided that it is just a waste to send out cards, and we just couldn't bring ourselves to kill a tree for three weeks.<BR/><BR/>They said it was theKathy "Peak Shrink" McMahonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01400096132473730246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-5715680742378798062008-12-28T17:47:00.000-08:002008-12-28T17:47:00.000-08:00We spent more than that... quite a lot more... bu...We spent more than that... quite a lot more... but I don't feel bad about that... We didn't go into debt, and didn't buy things just to have something to wrap up... We "bought" beehives and rabbits through Oxfam, donated money to the local homeless shelter, bought my FIL parts for his car, paid for an airline ticket for my MIL to visit her 90+ year old dad, sweaters for both of us, a jacket Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-74192814766507592592008-12-28T16:58:00.000-08:002008-12-28T16:58:00.000-08:00I went over budget and spent $800 for Christmas to...I went over budget and spent $800 for Christmas total (three kids). Gifts were something small for DH and I (20 apiece), small things for family and the bulk for kids. I shopped sales and online bargains and started in September. We paid cash that we had saved for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com