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Kim at The Bitter Ball needs some help. She has to do Christmas on a budget this year, and she needs some ideas. I can totally relate, since we’re doing Christmas on a budget, too. Anyway, Kim is hosting a writing project: Help Keep the Grinch Away. Head over to The Bitter Ball to find out how you can participate. The deadline is November 30, so think fast!
Now on to my frugal ideas. First of all, I really limited my gift shopping this year. We’re committed to not incurring any more debt, even though my husband only has a part-time job right now. That meant I had to do some creative shopping.
I limited the kids to three gifts each. Actually two and a half, but I’ll get to that in a minute. I figure if three gifts were enough for baby Jesus, three gifts should be enough for my kids. I don’t want spoiled kids, after all. I also wanted gifts that they would appreciate for more than a day. So I decided to give them each a toy, a book, and a game.
I did all of my Christmas shopping on Black Friday, but don’t despair if you missed it. There are still deals to be found. I bought my children each one $20ish toy, 1 book each on subjects they love, and 1 game they could share (thus the two and a half presents). Total: Under $50 for each kid.
Shopping online is a good way to save money, too. Just be sure to check for coupon codes before you check out. I always troll the Fishing For Deals message boards for deals. Those ladies find every good deal out there!
For inexpensive Christmas gifts for extended family, think of homemade items. I like to give photo calendars with the kids’ pictures on them. VistaPrint sometimes has good deals on them. My single brothers also enjoy receiving homemade cookies and candy. The kids help make the Christmas goodies, and we feel good about giving away something we all had a hand in making.
For holiday entertainment, we often just watch a holiday movie together as a family. One thing we haven’t cut (yet) since my husband lost his job is our satellite TV package. There are so many Christmas movies on this time of year, we don’t even go to Blockbuster to rent them. Pop up some popcorn, grab a blanket, and enjoy the movie!
Those are my best tips. I recently wrote about this subject at my other blog, Being Frugal.net. For a long list of frugal Christmas ideas, read my post 50 Frugal Christmas Ideas.
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Kim says:
I love the comment about 3 gifts being enough for Jesus so it’s enough for your kids.
November 27th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Michelle at Scribbit says:
We only do gift from “santa” and none from the parents. I find they get enough from other family that they still get too much.
And if possible, we do a lot of outdoor free activities–sledding, for example.
Great tips though–I think people go crazy on gift-giving sometimes.
November 27th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Michelle at Scribbit says:
Actually, these would be good ideas to submit to the winter Bazaar this week, if you’re up for it.
November 27th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Lynnae says:
Hmmmm. This post or the one I’m going to write in a few minutes. Decisions, decisions…..
I do agree that people go overboard on the gift giving. I never want to get into that.
November 27th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Jennifer Partin says:
Hope your children don’t read your Blog.
We have pared down too. Simply b/c we have so many children and they don’t need all the stuff.
I love the fact that they are still young too. My little ones from my 7,5 and 3 year old are wrapping toys from their rooms that they plan on giving each other. I think it’s great—and cute. Children are so generous and simple to please. Maybe we adults should try more “white elephant” gifts too.
November 29th, 2007 at 4:44 am
Sarah @ Real Life says:
Great ideas, Lynnae! We do the 3 gift thing, too. We always get them pajamas they can open on Christmas Eve, too. We use the three wise men as a model for the gifts, and I tell them that it’s Jesus’ birthday, but He loves them so much that He wants them to get the presents.
I can’t wait to read your frugal Christmas tips!
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:44 am