In my last entry I was quite upset and frustrated regarding holiday spending. I am feeling a lot better for several reasons. First of all, at Thanksgiving today, we agreed with extended famiy there woud be no gift exchange this year...what is important is spending time together and overeating!
Secondly, my Aunt and I agreed to spend $10-$15 per person in our close family. (We usually spend $30-$40) This includes 7 people (2 cousins, Aunt, Uncle, Mom, Grandma and Grandpa)
DH and I agreed to a $20 limit on his parents and SIL and I agreed to $20 limit on each others kids. We will not exchange gifts with DH's side except for the $20 gifts for my two nieces that live close.
I will be giving Christmas cards and homemade cookies/candy to my aides at work. I have 4 close friends at work that I will spend $5 on them for something a little special.
This adds up to a grand total of: $225.00 at the MOST.
This is realistic. This also means my mom, aunt, grandma and cousins are done!
We sat down as a family and the girls both agreed that instead of buying/consuming more "stuff" they don't really need that we would be donating $25 each to the charity of their choice. (maybe $50 each...we'll see)They seemed genuinely excited to do this! I have already bought them a few gifts and I need to get them a couple more (E. especially) but this year will not be consumed with an overabundance of "stuff."
Anyway, I have already spent $405 on Christmas and it looks like I will spend appx. another $500. This will bring my grand total to just over $900.00. In the past 5 years I don't think I have EVER spent less than $3,000.00 for Christmas so this represents a major financial shift.
More than that however, I hope it represents a ideological/philosophical shift in that the true meaning of Christmas will finally emerge here at our little space in this grand universe.
I feel like I have gained a lot of perspective. There is definite freedom in simplicity. I am tired of running in circles to buy overpriced plastics. Yes, I truly enjoy giving thoughtful gifts to my family but it isn't necessary to go into major debt over it all.
Have a blessed holiday weekend everyone.
Feeling better about everything
November 28th, 2008 at 04:35 am
November 28th, 2008 at 05:05 am 1227848705
November 28th, 2008 at 05:20 am 1227849628
November 28th, 2008 at 05:26 am 1227849974
November 28th, 2008 at 02:02 pm 1227880958
This says it all:
There is definite freedom in simplicity. I am tired of running in circles to buy overpriced plastics. Yes, I truly enjoy giving thoughtful gifts to my family but it isn't necessary to go into major debt over it all.
November 28th, 2008 at 03:29 pm 1227886172
November 28th, 2008 at 10:12 pm 1227910345