Comments on: Confessional Sunday: Christmas Presentless

By: M3

M3 — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:39:40 +0000

We have an embarrassment of riches and when even your youngest says she has “too much stuff”, you know your gut feelings are right on the money. We’re not getting the kids much this year… and I think they’ll be fine with it.

By: Keter

Keter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:17:03 +0000

I have only adults on my list, so I gave boxes of premium salt- and sugar-free spice blends for Christmas this year. I didn’t have time to do them up myself, so it cost more, but it can be done quite frugally by buying containers (Lee Valley Tools has nice stainless steel and glass ones, or you can get a magnetic set from Ikea or Bed Bath & Beyond) and bulk spices (I order online from Penzey’s). Giving spices is generally safer than giving food: not many people are allergic to spices, and they’re safe for diabetics and people who must watch their salt intake. And hey, everybody’s got to eat! ;o)

By: Tara

Tara — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:57:38 +0000

Yule is tight here too. We’re filling stockings, plus a gift or two each to each other, one from each of us to DD, and Santa (which is the big gift, and a couple extra). I’ve hidden the gifts from other family members, even tho she knows we have them – bigger impact when they show up Yule morn!

I like stockings… small stuff, wrap everything I can, and it can be very nice items if I work it right – I buy the items all year. Missed that this year; I’m using things like socks (and yes I will wrap them lol) and chemises and such – bulky, needed, and can be fun. Also, this way I *know* the stocking will be stuffed!

By: Judy

Judy — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:15:10 +0000

I’m digging into my yarn stash this Christmas. After having a miscarriage and burying our daughter, money is exceedingly tight. the olders (15, 15, 13, and 11) are mostly ok with it. The little (10 months) won’t ever know any different, as we are never going back to the practice of buying a bunch of stuff again. We’re getting back to what Christmas is really all about – the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

By: Pam

Pam — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:40:18 +0000

We have a famous and very wealthy friend and she has never gotten
her children more than 3 things for Christmas (and I don’t mean a car, a TV and a pony) 3 reasonable gifts. She told them them there
were 3 wisemen and Jesus got 3 gifts…..she has held to that for 20 years. I wish I had known that earlier in my life…..(smile)
God Bless

By: Lisa- Domestic Accident

Lisa- Domestic Accident — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:11:34 +0000

Too much stuff here, too. We actually rarely give our children alot, but grandparents do. This year, we bought very little but we’re going to an indoor water park overnight as a present of family fun to all of us.

By: jag

jag — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:48:47 +0000

What about tickets to one of the children’s theaters, or maybe to to some classes at the zoo or a crafty place or the science museum? I’m assuming there are classes and things offered at those places. I would have been totally impressed with season tickets to a theater in my name at that age. I’ll keep thinking on other things too.

By: dani

dani — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:24:23 +0000

For christmas this year, my mom basically took my sister and I clothes shopping, and said, here, this is going to be the majority of your christmas present. Personally, I LOVED it (but I am 20, and she is 16). As for the cousins in my life, I just got little crafty stuff that I hope that they will like. My sister got a bunch of DVDs because Amazon was having a sale.

As for tickets, if there is a show in the area, like an off broadway production of something, that is always fun, but also a concert, some movie gift cards or something for a store she likes is also good.

My mom keeps telling me exactly what she wants for Christmas, so I don’t have a problem with that, and we got my grandmas gift cards to resturants and grocery stores, since they had NO idea what they wanted (and the one tends to buy herself Christmas presents).

By: Angela

Angela — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:25:47 +0000

My oldest is nine and has been asking to go to SC since, well… when we did not move there three years ago:( (it is now -15 and we are all wishing se did). Anyways, I found a good deal on airline tickets and that is our family Christmas present. I did not want anymore toys in the house, so they are getting a trip to SC and clothes. My son is very excited and did not minding getting less for Christmas in order to make the trip happen. The other three (4,2 and 4 months) are great with going with the flow. I also do the PJ pants and a small something to go with it (this year it was army pj pants and army guys). I also always found movies to be great gifts, if you know what they have.

My 2yo, when asked what she wants for Christmas, keeps telling people she wants a duck… a real duck:)

By: Awesome Mom

Awesome Mom — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:37:23 +0000

Same here! I ended up getting them an art easel and some coloring books. They are young enough that just opening presents thrills them so there really is not a lot of pressure.