I was a little surprised when I saw the results of a new BabyCenter Holiday Survey, which showed that moms plan to spend 32% more on gifts this holiday season.
Really? I’m not. If anything, I’ll be spending less on gifts this season. I know, sounds sacrilegious to say that on “Cyber Monday.”
Maybe it’s because I quit my job in September and started freelancing from home. We’re quite a bit shorter on cash than we were last year.
But I also am thinking of my friends and family, many of whom have tighter budgets for various reasons. Shelling out $25, $30 or more per person to get random stuff (another bath and body gift set? candles? books I don’t have time to read?) just seems so wasteful — and hard on anyone who’s hurting for money right now.
Hubs and I decided to make a few “gentleman’s agreements” (or should it be “gentleperson’s agreements”?) with our close friends and family: No gifts for the grownups this year. Yeah, that’s right. Are you shocked? Horrified? Thinking I’m the Second Coming of Scrooge?
I’m really just trying to save everyone money and hassle. Photos and cards are always appreciated, of course — especially of those we don’t get to see much. You want to bake us some cookies? I won’t complain (hard to do when your mouth is full of cookies). Here’s an idea: Watch my kids for an evening so Hubs and I can go out for a date. And I would love to do the same for you — or something equivalent that doesn’t cost lots of dough but shows how much I care.
This holiday season, I want to focus on what truly matters: family, friendship, gratitude for the good things in life, delight, twinkly lights, maybe some snow if we’re lucky. If that makes me a Scrooge, well, I guess all I can say is “Bah humbug!”
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8 thoughts on “Cutting Back on Holiday Shopping?”
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I'm with you on this one! We decided to choose names amongst the siblings on my husband's side and we are going out for an "event" with my family's side in lieu of gifts for the adults. Gifts are just for the kids this year.
I'm with you on this too. We also picked names for my family so I just have to buy one family gift. My husband and I are gifting each other something we need for our house. Although I've always been pretty short on my gift list.
Agree. The ghost of Christmas Past would shake a finger at me, but there just isn't the extra money this December – Hubby didn't even get to buy a TV on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. YAY to all of us for saying "No" to the impulse buy 🙂
I've ALWAYS thought that Christmas gifts should only be for the kids. So, uh, yeah, Bah Humbug.
Glad I'm not the only "Scrooge" out there. Let's spread the non-materialistic joy of the season, ladies!
I am spending less this year. I went out on Black Friday and was appalled by how much people were buying.
I totally had to cut back on holiday shopping this year. Even though I am working two jobs one in the business sector and the other from home, the economy has made its make on my lifestyle. We are greatful every month that my husband has his job in this economy. I really tried hard to make Christmas special this year by doing things that cost little to no money but are still fun for kids such as baking christmas cookies, and making ornaments in the oven.