Are you scaling back for the holidays?

[eyeamdry]

Ours is always the same, small and simple.  There is my hubby and I and we have an adult daughter who is single, no kids.  She does have a new puppy we can buy a present for.  OMG.  Mostly we go out to a buffet to eat at both Thanksgiving and christmas.  My sister and her family have been snowbirds for about 4 or 5 years and we miss them for Christmas. 

We buy each other a couple of durable presents< pjs, sox, underwear.  If my hubby decides to cook, that's ok too and we enjoy that.  I hate to say it, but we have a bunch of Indian casinos around here and they are always open (for dining of course) and we have visited some of them in recent holidays.  The grand-pup will have to stay home if we go away and our daughter decides to join us.  I will celebrate my new knee also. 

We have a slim, artificial tree we've had for 25 years at least.  I told hubby I might buy something bright and sparkly like white with lights already attached.  He suggested no tree, but I think he doesnt mean it. 

[Meld256]

Lucy,

Gifts for the puppy could be fun! I just got a catalog from Drs Foster and Smith and they have all kinds of things. 
Your simple celebration sounds good; and yes, you have a new knee.  Maybe by the end of Dec. it will be healing a bit more.

If your hubby isn't looking forward to putting up the tree you have, a new one might be a good option. The new ones that are pre-light are sooo easy; put 2-3 pieces together and it's done.
Take care,
Melinda

[Bucky]

One could always opt for a Charlie Brown tree.   

Bucky

[quilt4fun]

      Thanksgiving is a noon meal for 10 this year.  Some years it can be as many as 18.  It's at brother and sister-in-laws this year.  I'm taking a pie and dinner rolls (homemade that morning.)
      Christmas will be all the family for Christmas Eve, starting at the church with a live nativity; then  light dinner, followed by exchanging gifts.  For the last 2 years the adults drew names.This year we are taking the $$ we would spend on a gift and pool it , and donate it to Samaritans Purse.  We will decide as a group, what to give. We really don't need more stuff.  The 4 grandchildren will still get gifts from everyone.  Most gifts are under $25.00.   We are still considering a "white elephant" exchange just for fun.
    We still will exchange with immediate family.  This year, I made personalized pillow cases for everyone (that's 12 of them).  And the adults will get gift cards for Lowes or Home Depot, so they can get something for their home. 2 of them are doing a lot of remodeling and we would rather let them get what they really need.  Grandchildren will get some type of game or toy.
      Christmas Day --dinner--probably at my house.  I'll do the meat, gravy,potato, rolls part; everyone pitches in with the extras.    The afternoon is spent playing games and enjoying the kids.  My oldest 2 sons and family go to the other family for dinner.  The youngest may end up working (he's a security guard at a state prison.)  Then a leftover sandwich dinner.

[Pisces24]

I put of one of those ceramic trees for Christmas. I got mine at a garage sale for $2.50.  The kitties can't climb it and I don't have to worry about  seeing greenery or tinsel sticking out of an unlikely place.    I also have a nice Jim Shore statue of Santa w/a kitty.
Some years I put light around the front door and some I do not. I've been wanting to find a cheap outdoor timer so they will not be on all night and I don't have to go out and unplug.

They put a wish tree up at work so we can pick a card and buy for I usually do a couple of those every year as there is just me and the "kitty crew" here anymore.

It is nice just being able to just spend time with friends or loved ones period. We are all so rushed around with jobs, kid stuff, volunteering, etc. that we never just take the time and relax and sit and talk to family.  We tie up our lives too much.

Oh I heard Christmas music on the radio station today. Still think it is too early!

[irish]

It really is early for Christmas music, but I think it sounds so good. I feel like I need the Christmas music so much this year.

I hope that the radio stations will play more than they used to. Years ago when married the first 20 years or so it seems like we had so much music and I loved to lay in the dark when I first went to bed and listen to the radio and Christmas music.

Nowdays they just want to skip it--at least those darn radio stations seem to. Irish

[Nancy60]

We have cut down on holiday spending for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It is usually my sister and I sharing cooking responsibilities (we both love to cook).  We have both tried to cut back on how much we cook and try to find lighter versions of the things we make, less casserole type dishes and desserts, and more freshly prepared veggies. 


As far as spending for Christmas, we have a $ upper limit of $40-50 at the most, but we all understand everyone is in different financial situations and it really is the thought that counts.  Our family is small so we all get each other gifts (I have 7 to get for my family this year).  I do NOT charge anything....I take up to $350 or whatever I can afford for the year and divide it among my family.  If I can't afford to get my friends gifts, I will try to make something (either from my kitchen, or a craft of some sort).  I try to limit that expense to around $100.00 and keep my total christmas spending under $500.

Great thread!
Nancy

[smallfry]

Christmas for is us usually all the family here at our place,but this year for the first time my eldest daughter is having so we are going there for the day so i just have to turn up with gifts etc.( sounds great to me)

This time of the year here is so hot, so as a rule we have everything cold as in salads, turkey,ham,seafood etc,and of course Christmas isn't Christmas without a plumb pudding.

I enjoy the decorations. The grandchildren and I spend a bit of time putting them up while listening and sining carols,they have so much fun doing it.

The spending side of things all the family has a small budget for each person it can be a challenge to stay within the budget, and we do at times have some very funny and interesting gifts.

I haven't cut back that much as yet as the grandchildren get older the more I get them to do and they enjoy it because we make it a fun thing to do.


Cheryl