10 Ways To Have a Spendy Christmas
I came across this post in my archives and had to reshare it because of the hilarious picture of Zoe decorating cookies with goggles on. Scroll down to the bottom. 😉
1. Give gifts to everyone you've ever met (or every relative you've got).
So what if you haven't seen or talked to Great-Aunt Sally in 15 years? Buy her a gift!
Same goes for friends you hardly see. Also, don't forget the mailman, the hairdresser, every neighbor, and all your children's teachers.
2. Buy Christmas versions of everything in your home.
Everyday dishes will never work during December...you must have a snowman or Santa set.
The same goes for towels, nightlights, cups, mugs, and even picture frames.
All the things must be sparkly! and red! and green!
As an added bonus, these Christmas versions of everything will clutter up your home 11 months of the year. Sweet.
3. Buy all your gifts new.
So what if you could get twice the Duplos for half the price by buying them on Ebay? Go to a store where you can pay full price!
4. Don't make any gifts
Only store-bought items should dwell under your tree.
5. Wrap everything using fancy, disposable gift wrap supplies
Everyone knows reusable wrapping is ugly anyway.
6. Never let someone else outspend you
That would be embarrassing. You'd better spend at least as much as they spend on you.
7. Don't save any money before December rolls around
Just spend the money you were going to use to pay your mortgage or utility bill. You can always be a little late on the January bills.
8. Buy brand-new holiday outfits for the whole family
So what if you're the same size you were last year? That dress is so last year. You need a new one. With shoes to match.
And don't shop for kids' holiday clothes second-hand. It's not like the thrift stores are flooded with fancy little girl dresses or anything.
9. Get your priorities in order: 1. Stuff. 2. Shopping. 3. Experiences.
Cookie-decorating or trimming the tree has never been any child's favorite part of Christmas.
that is some serious cookie decorating! 🙂
Yes. She put the goggles on because she didn't "want any sprinklies to get me in the eyes!".
Oh my that is so cute! It's good to see kids experiencing some "real" experiences. Thanks for sharing!
loev, love, LOVE that pic!
For slot #10... I would advise everyone to NOT take the kids out for a walk or drive around the neigborhood to look at Christmas lights. This (virtually) free activity doesn't get anyone into the Christmas spirit! Oh! And don't play or sing Christmas carols while doing this... I happen to know that 3-year-olds just hating singing "Jingle Bell" with their parents!
Hi, Elaine.
It's always nice to "meet" another Elaine. I'll change my name to "Elaine in Ark" to avoid confusion.
I also know that 3 year old children hate to sing "Jingle Bells" more than once, so no danger of that song going through your brain for days on end!
10. Forget what Christmas was about in the first place and make sure you are not reminded of your faith or any spiritual ideas that might inspire you to put spending quiet time with your loved ones at nr. 1!
addendum: 10.: do not invite someone who does not have a place to go to join your family festivities. Can be someone who is new in the neighbourhood, or a recently divorced mother from school, or well anyone really.
I love this one! Our neighbor passed away this year and her 24-year-old son inherited her house. We're planning to invite him over this year!
Get so busy decorating and shopping that you don't have time to cook. Order in instead!
No, no, not ordering in - catering!
Do people actually do this?
MY family did one year. We didn't get to eat any of our treasured family recipes, AND it cost an arm and a leg!
I actually meant not being able to cook on regular nights...not necessarily on Christmas. Just on like, a Tuesday, being worn out from going to work, then shopping or decorating or whatnot.
Although I could definitely see some people taking it to that next level of having no energy left for the holiday meal.
My mother did this one year and it worked very well for us. Our tradition is to go to a restaurant (much easier, different preferences accomodated, no dishes) so no treasured family recipes for us.
I agree! #10 should be 'do not invite someone who is alone... and definitly do not take in the lovely lights in your neighborhood'
Make sure to only establish high expectations for your children for the season that focus on possessions and stuff. Throughout the year, make sure that you develop a sense of entitlement in your kids by giving in to their every whim. Forget about an annual tradition of hot chocolate and Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life. Forget about making an Advent wreath with holly or greens from your yard. Make sure everything is packaged, electronic, battery-operated and full of bling, bling, bling. Because, of course, that's what Jesus is all about. Not.
Annie @ theviewfrom256.blogspot.com
@Annie - THANK YOU! Entitlement, focus on possessions, bling, etc.!
Oh Zoe with those goggles just made my morning ;p that's how I'm going to approach my day!
it is truly a priceless pic!
She'll crack up over that when she's thirty.
-Purchase every tacky piece of blow up, large, festive piece of blow up lawn ornaments that you can find.
-Light up every portion of your house and yard with non-matching some flashing some non flashing lights.
-Don't purchase practical gifts.
-While you're out shopping purchase things for yourself because it's such a good deal...even though you don't really need it.
-Don't read books like Laura Ingals Wilder when Laura got mittens, a doll and candy and was AMAZED!!
-Remove the pressure of finding THE PERFECT gift. It's stressful and often the "perfect" gift isn't in the price range or actually perfect. It's okay to purchase a good gift.
-I could go on forever and ever....can you tell I hate commercialism and fight to keep the real Christmas.
HEAR HEAR! to your first suggestion! Oh my, I absolutely HATE those inflatable eye-sores.
On a side note, I've been stressing a little about my parents and grandmother as they are the hardest people to buy for. I think I'm going to go practical with them this year.
We drove by a house yesterday with at least a dozen inflatables. Uggh.
Stamps. My go-to gift for practical - fun stamps. They've always been well-received.
Mr. FG and the kids like the inflatables, but I've managed to avoid buying any so far. I'm not morally opposed to them, they just don't fit with my decorating theme. Hee. Hopefully I'll be able to stave them off.
My sister actually decorates her ENTIRE lawn with them. She looked at the glass half-full earlier this week when they were vandalized - it just means it's time to get the peacock! (Note: they win the tacky house light tour every year. I think it's a source of pride, but I'd hate to see the winter electric bill.)
Hahaha, there are so many things to love about that picture of Zoe - the goggles (obviously), the look of sheer concentration on her face, the way she sticks out her tongue when she's focusing on something - it's all adorable! For #10, I'd say Do NOT take a few minutes each day to reflect on why Christmas is such an important season.
Do not tell any family members you cannot make it to their festivities. Even if this means two $400 plane tickets to visit one family, then a rental car and a 9 hour drive to see the other!
It's been 2 years since I was home for Christmas because we had to do just that 🙁 At least we're being smart about it though, and NOT spending the money!
#10: Throw away all of your receipts right away- you wouldn't want anyone to exchange your gift anyway, right? So what if the Rudolph-the-Rednosed- Reindeer sweater doesn't fit?
Okay, I don't have anything witty, but I do have
#10: stuff stockings for adults.
I mean *stuff* them with candy, little plastic toys, and anything you can find just to fill up that stocking, whether the person will like/want/need it or not.
My mother does this every year, and while I appreciate the effort and the sentiment, I end up binging on candy and throwing away the doo-dads. If she insists, I'd rather have a slack stocking with the $20 bill she spent down in the toe! 😀
Gosh I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one that experiences this. Every year after everyone has gone home I get out the stockings and the garbage can. I'd rather have the $20 too, but my mom says that's to impersonal. Perhaps, but it's a lot more practical.
I kind of miss my childhood stockings.. they were fun practical things like pretty toothbrushes and the *good* shampoo. My husband has not gotten the very strong hint yet.
Molly, that sort of stocking is great to me, and it is fun. I always get a small thing to put in the stocking of each adult (like you say--nice lotion/shampoo, or those fancy pocket tissues). But the *stuffing*--wow!
@Virginia Dare,
I know people who are fairly stretched financially (I think many people are!) who are concerned about the cost of Christmas, have 4 kids, but in the same breath are all about how each kid gets a ''Christmas Eve box'' containing new pjs, books, chocolate and small gifts and it's unthinkable that this is wildly unnecessary, and also, the younger kids ''believe in Santa'' and this means that they can ask for ANYTHING and get it, right? Because Christmas magic, right?
Each to their own, 100%. Nothing wrong with any tradition or wonderful splurge that one enjoys wholeheartedly, but not at the expense of unpaid bills and financial worry.
Buy so many gifts that the kids are overwhelmed and can't focus to enjoy any one of them.
-or-
Participate in competitive gift buying, trying to get the cool, "in" gift of the year ... whether or not it's appropriate for the recipient.
-or-
Don't buy gifts through the year as something appropriate goes on sale.
-or-
If you have to buy X-mas related cruft, don't buy it just after X-mas and save it for next year. Better to buy it new each year.
And whatever you do, don't agree with the other adults in the family that presence is better than presents. Or even compromise on presence and charitable donations.
Do what my MIL does: listen carefully during the year for any mention of an item, be it a type of kitchen implement, a piece of jewelry, anything. Buy EVERY ONE OF THOSE THINGS for the recipient, just to prove how thoughtful you are. Also make sure to ask what they want, and then get them something slightly different that you think is better, even if it's more expensive, to again demonstrate how thoughtful you are. (I asked for a pair of pearl earrings, and instead got FOUR different pearl necklaces - gee, thanks for actually listening to the answer when you asked what I wanted).
Wow - another way to look at this might be to appreciate that she's trying, appreciate that she listens, and just in general be appreciative of someone doing something nice for you. Just because you asked for earrings doesn't obligate her to buy them for you. Why not just buy what you want yourself and hand them to her to wrap?
Elizabeth, you said it very well. What a wonderfully giving mother in law! Mine is deceased; I would love to have someone around who tries "too hard" to get it right.
You took the words out of my mouth. Number 10 can be "Never appreciate anything if it does not exactly meet your specifications."
When I mention buying every little thing, I'm not talking about a couple of gifts. I'm talking about 35 - 40 gifts EACH for an adult couple -way more than we would ever considering buying in return. When an adult couple with no children returns home from Christmas at your house with a STATION WAGON FILLED TO THE CEILING with gifts, you are spending (and wasting) too much money trying to buy their affection, and not enough time listening when they say they don't need all that stuff. And if you're not going to listen to the answer when you ask what someone wants, why bother.
Holy moly. That's a lot of presents!
I gotta agree with this. Although intentions were probably good and I know she (my MIL) wants to go above and beyond to get us something nice, it is SOOO frustrating to end up with all these gifts that I don't want, aren't at all useful, and can't get rid of. Our gifts are always nice, expensive and I know a lot of thought was put into them. I feel so mean and ungracious. I try to adopt them out to good homes when I can, but sometimes I'm stuck with ice buckets, beautiful inlaid wood cheese serving trays, and hideous fleece sweatshirts. I would MUCH rather she spend the $$ on gas to visit more than once a year, (we live 1 hour from her) than trying to make up for it on birthdays and Christmas with STUFF. Problem is that as much as we've hinted, we can't get results. Without being downright rude, I don't know what else to do.
Oh, we have a kid. It gets worse. 🙁
Tasha, it sounds like you need to be very careful of what you say in your MIL's hearing. Or start saying how you wish you could afford to give $25 to (name a charity) this month. Repeat add intervals during the year. Maybe something good will come of it.
These are all very true!
You slay me! You AND that picture!
DON'T read Christmas stories to your children! Especially if you got those from the library or from Gutenberg.org. Especially avoid Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" and O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi."
10.) Since you aren't going to be paying your January bills on time, run up your electricity bill by having every square inch of your yard and house lit up and out do the rest of your street in Christmas decorations. It will burn more fossil fuels skyrocket your electric bill, but who cares, because your house is brighter than daylight...if only they had your ingenuity at the manger...the wise men and shepherds wouldn't have needed that single star.
Start in October. Have all the jolly glowing it's brightest on November 11. Do not replace burnt out bulbs or rearrange decor that has been disturbed by weather. Stop bothering at all by December 23. Throw your tree out on the front lawn on December 26 and leave it all there till March.
10. Don't take advantage of all the free activities going on in December
(i.e. parades, tree lighting ceremonies, festivals, etc.) and only attend happenings that charge an admission fee.
This one kills me ever. single. year. A large hotel nearby has an indoor winter display that costs $20 per person, and is always packed! Friends keep telling us how great it is and how we have to take our children, but I just can't see paying that much money to look at some ice sculptures.
Are you referring to the Gaylord in Orlando? We live on the west coast, about 3 hours away, and our neighbors have been trying to convince us to go AND to stay overnight. Or, better yet, stay 2 nights and visit Disney World cause they have the best lights, trees, decorations and parade!! We just aren't that interested and certainly don't want to spend that kind of money out of our community. We are all for shopping local. Maybe that should be slot #10 - spend lots of money out of your community.
I think they do this at a lot of the Gaylord hotels, because they have it at the one here near DC, too. I thought about suggesting our family go, but when I found out how much it cost I changed my mind! Especially here in DC: the White House Christmas tree--which includes a train display, a huge yule log, and a menorah--and the lights display at the National Zoo are both free! And that's just for starters!
Oh and I just had to add, Zoe in the goggles cracks me up, but I'm not sure if it's the goggles or the serious look on her face that cracks me up the most. *L*
Insist that everyone's Christmas gift list is 20+ items long...with at least one $100+ item on the list. And socks don't count. It is sure to add to the stress of your loved ones to make sure their list is long enough for you and they still have a handful of items to tell other family members who only need one or two gift ideas.
Make sure you overspend on food..especially if you've got guests. Nobody gets tired of eating two full meals a day, with all the trimmings over five days.
I loved that people mentioned the electriciy bills, I always wonder if people really think about that when they put all of the outside decorations up.
Oh and you didn't mention printed cards, got make sure you order them for all of the family, and the neighbours etc..
1. Do not turn down an invitation to any holiday parties in November/December, even if they are expensive and leave you with no free time to spend with your family.
2. Do not limit yourself to just one Christmas tree. If you've got room for another one, buy it! Bonus: you'll have to buy all new lights and ornaments for the new tree! (yes, my family has done this)
10- Always wear proper protective gear to decorate cookies!!
Your children are darling and I just love how serious this little one is when she is really concentrating! Thank you for the great blog and even better photos.
Hehehehe! This post (and the comments) have cracked me up. And Zoe's face? HILARIOUS! Who knew cookie decorating could be so serious?
You should probably seek out the most ostentatious, "hot" toys and gifts you can, just so you can outdo everyone else. Forget the simple stuffed elephant and mini keyboard that would make your (my) toddler more than happy---go for the monstrous, expensive, noisy, light-up "it" toy of the season! Encourage your kids to complain when there aren't enough gifts to form a mountain beneath the tree, a la Dudley in Harry Potter.
And of course, you should definitely wait to mail all of those ostentatious gifts for far-away relatives until the very last minute, so that you have to pay something like $40/box for express shipping.
You likely can get a real, discarded keyboard for free. Every business IT dept I worked with had a box full of broken ones.
Oh, I meant a musical keyboard. 🙂
Oops. :-} My excuse is that one of my niblings *loved* the dead computer keyboard I gave her. It was a purely defensive move, to keep her away from my working one.
truly LOL'ing. Like, I had to apologize to co-workers. 😀
Don't put away because Christmas doesn't come every year!
By all means, you MUST decorate your tree with the latest trend. Family ornaments made by your kids at preschool? NEVER!! You MUST have the same professionally decorated tree complete with feathers and whatever else everyone else in your neighborhood has!! And for sure HIRE someone to do this "professionally." Gag.
Sadly, this came from a real conversation I had recently. I guess I am so not cool with our tree of family ornaments that was decorated by our very professional 5 year old!
Don't forget doing a different Christmas color scheme every year---and always something unorthodox like turquoise and purple, or orange and red---so you can buy all-new ornaments every time!
Can I add: Don't talk to friends months in advenace about just spending time together instead of exchanging gifts. Don't think way ahead and pick things up on sale. Don't get anything practical and definately DON'T put your focus on all of those around us that need a helping hand especially during this time of year.
Thanks so much for this post.
I don't know what to put for #10...but I sure do love your list. The way you expressed it here had me laughing, too 🙂 🙂 Yes, this year, my dad and I are having a very simpmle Christmas. I'm making handmade gifts. Plus, my dad and I have a tradition of looking for the one lone coffee stand that is open on Christmas day 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂
While I agree with a lot that has been said here, there are many things people are poo-pooing that my family does because they want to do those things. That doesn't make us bad Christmas celebrants or spendthrifts. It means we've taken the time to discuss, decide, and budget the things we like and want to do - even when we're buying gifts for our daughter's teachers and our mailman, using wrapping paper instead of homemade packaging, don't give many or any homemade gifts, choose to put out hand towels or picture frames that have a holiday theme, and LOVE to see the inflatable decorations on peoples' lawns - they make us laugh because they are fun. And, it's not my lawn. So, again, I agree with a lot here, but my #10 isn't about having a spendy Christmas but is instead about having a loving Christmas. "Love your family's intentional and chosen practices and traditions even if some things go against a completely frugal life."
I appreciate your post. I, like you, agree with much that has written, but also know that it comes down more to the intent of why we do what we do. So, everyone is different and has differing ways of enjoying the season with their loved ones. Thanks for your post!! Here's to a loving Christmas!!
If you've put thought into it and have chosen to spend your money that way because it brings you joy, go for it! I think a lot of people are commenting on behaviors that people do because they think they're supposed to, or because they don't want to look "cheap" or out of style, or because they're trying to create the picture-perfect Christmas experience that only exists in the commercials.
Please don't take this too seriously...I was just being silly when I wrote it. 🙂 I actually own some Christmas kitchen towels, I own some rolls of wrapping paper, and I give loaves of bread to my neighbors.
I think if you're being responsible with your money and if your way of celebrating brings you joy, then go for it!
Since I have been reading this blog, I have gotten a lot better at bread baking. Any particular types of bread you like to give at Christmas time? I was thinking that would be a great gift to give to acquaintances or as something to add to a loved one's gift package.
English muffin bread. Reminds me of my dad. I still can't make it right.
I think Kristen's post was more focused on things people do because they feel like they "should" (like giving gifts to everyone they know, regardless). I do plan to give gifts to our mailman, some neighbors, etc. in addition to close friends and family members, but like you, I'm trying to be intentional about it and plan ahead budget-wise.
Christmas is actually the one time of year when my husband and I really throw caution the wind money-wise. We pay for all of our presents in cash, but we do spend quite a lot of money buying thoughtful gifts for each other and the people on our list.
I cannot tell you how much joy this type of post from you brings me! I love the silly reversal. (Clearly that's a choice to reverse and poke fun at the 10 Ways lists.) I love, love, love when you do this, Kristen. Big smile. 😀
oh, and I stole this quote from earth911.com:
"Consumers can save big when it comes to dollars, and the planet, if they reduce their consumption of this non-recyclable material. According to Eco-Chick.com, if every American family wrapped just *three presents* in reused materials, *it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.*"
We're wrapping in white butcher paper this year, and recycling it after (sans tape pieces) or using reusable bags.
Wow, that's crazy. My cloth bags feel proud.
My mom taught my 10-year old how to sew, and I think I'm going to set her up with the sewing machine and fabric to make (more) cloth bags. I made a large assortment a few years ago, but we can always use more!
We don't attach a ribbon, just use a strand of curly ribbon to tie them shut. I also just use an inexpensive print, rather than the luxe fabric that you show (which I know is re-purposed...I just don't have any velvety things to re-purpose!).
My mother and grandmother for years would spend December 26th ironing the wrapping paper and putting it away for next year. We had a piece of Kermit the Frog paper that I believe was wrapped around a gift for my brother and it got reused every Christmas for around 15 years (it ended up as a small square that my brother preserved.) It was a sort of game to find the Kermit paper.
We've done that too. There is still a tiny bit of paper that my grandparents used for a gift for me when I was a child.
Reminds me of the time I gave my college roommate a gift in re-used paper. "Ohh, this is cool paper," she said, and I replied, "That's exactly what I said when I got a gift wrapped in it!" I always have a supply of gift bags and half-decent saved paper on hand. I figure some of the bags have probably cycled through several families over the course of birthday parties throughout the year!
I'm notorious as the family newspaper wrapper - I never remember to get wrapping paper so I raid the recycling box instead.
Make sure you don't read the Christmas story to your children on Christmas morning after all you wouldn't won't to distract your children from what's really important (their presents) with a borning story about the virgin birth of the Christ Jesus
And certainly don't read it as you are putting up the Nativity. Actually forget about the Nativity at all. This season is all about the trees and gifts!
Just finished my post on our second weekend of Simple Christmas Traditions - which includes Slow-Cooking Chutney and making Decorations! If I could get away without doing one jot of shopping I would, but there are a few things that are purchased... Just took the Kids Salt Dough Tree Decorations out of the oven (Teachers are striking in the UK today)! We definitely will be adorning safety goggles next time though - It's a good look Zoe 😉
You can NEVER be too careful when you're around sprinkles.
It's all fun and games until someone gets a sprinkle in the eye!
OK, my number 10 would be to wish all year that you could get away somewhere for Christmas, but never actually make a solid plan. Then when December arrives, pay full price for your getaway.
Also do you mind if I hijack your post? Here are 10 Holiday Eating Tips
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two.
It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes.
Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention.
HA! #3. Gravy could quite possibly be considered a beverage during the holidays!
tee hee hee. I have a problem with these. This is my to do list. (Ok so not all of it, but some of them are so familiar!!!)
Don't forget that starting your Xmas shopping on December 23rd makes it so much more fun!
Katy
All very true and there is some good advice here, but you sound very angry and snarky in this post.
I think you'll find that Kristen's post was very much tongue-in-cheek )and may have been partly based on past experiences). If anything, today's post is the polar opposite of angry and snarky.
Oh dear, that's not at all how I felt when I wrote it. I meant it to be funny. I'm not angry. 🙂
just an opinion, but sarcasm or tongue-in-cheek is often dicey in print--no facial cues to let the reader know you are only kidding. i read your blog daily and love it (and you) but i have to admit, this one felt ....mmmm...kinda.... not my favorite.
I totally got the point of this post, and thought it was funny. Kristen made some really good points in an entertaining way. It didn't seem angry or ugly to me at all.
#10- Make quite certain not a penny is left unspent and no credit card left not maxed out. What fun would that be?
PS: Do sprinkles usually jump up and get Zoe in the eye??? LOL
As far as I know, sprinkles have never injured anyone in our household. I think the goggle-donning was a preemptive action on Zoe's part.
#10 Buy traditional Christmassy food (that you don't even like) and let it go to waste after the event.
Awesome list. It's like the snarky sarcastic cousin of my Occupy the Holidays post! For number ten, I would say don't worry about a budget, just put everything on a credit card and don't worry about it. As an added bonus, the big banks we helped bail out will be profiting from your debt even more! 🙁
How could you forget to pay attention to the advertising?! Read every flyer, every catalog--by all means, see that the children pore over them and make long lists for Santa. Leave the TV on long enough each day that you'll see each commercial. Otherwise, how can you know what you want?
My MIL just did this! She had my 3 children (ages 7, 5, and 3) put their initials next to everything they liked in the toy catalog. It's hard to explain to them that there's NO way we can get a moonbounce for the back yard, and it leaves them confused as to why Grammy would have them do this! I know it's all done in fun, but it sets them up for disappointment.
10. Be sure to buy yourself gifts too while you shop! After all, it's only once a year, and it's SUCH a good deal, and it's SO cute!
I didn't pick up an angry tone in Kristin's list, and it was a good reminder for me, especially the one about buying things new. We buy a lot of stuff off Craig's List, but I wasn't thinking about Christmas gifts, for some reason.
Make sure that you waste as much fuel as you can driving all over creation for the latest "gotta have it" whatever thingamabob. I would also suggest doing this with hubby and dear children in tow so that the hideous fight you all get into will get you into that "holiday spirit"...Ha, ha...Make sure that you feel lots of pressure and guilt to buy gifts so that others will know you love them instead of focusing on the immense joy of the birth of our Savior who for eternity gave us the greatest GIFT of all!
I LOVED this post! For others who are getting upset, perhaps the holiday is already getting to you?...
Zoe is to die for in those goggles!! I could just scream with laughter. What a precious child!
@Lisa, "gotta have it" -- Cabbage Patch Kids, anyone? People came to blows. 'Tis the season to start a brawl in the toy aisle.
10. Be sure to buy expensive decorations that your children aren't allowed to touch. After all, it's called decorating, not toucherating.
Hehe! And when your children touch them anyway (as they will), replace them with similarly expensive and untouchable decorations.
10. Spend all your free time thinking about the expensive presents that you cant afford rather than focusing how blessed you are to even have funds available for simple gifts. Laugh at people who claim to be "rich in family"
Good one!
10. Make sure to have a live Christmas tree. None of those artificial, spend once- have tree for many years trees for you.
We buy a real Christmas tree every year. It's not cheap but it's natural, it smells wonderful, and it's recyclable.
I agree with Stacy above. People have different priorities and spend accordingly.
We get a real Christmas tree every year, too. I love it, even though it's not the most budget-conscious choice. But if everyone did ALL of these spendy things without prioritizing? Ouch!
Funny, it's "priorities" when it's something "you" do, but so terribly "spendy" when someone does something that "you" would not do. If you want a real tree, by all means do so, but if I want to wrap my gifts that I bought (GASP), instead of making and bagging them, so be it. I have to say, I really did not like this post today. Why pit what "I" do against what "You" do? I am sorry that I contributed any negativity to this space and I apologize to Just Gai that I piggy backed onto her comment. Please have the BEST Christmas ever, Just Gai, and I hope that it's everything you wish for. Happy New Year, too!
Is this directed at me or Kristen? Or someone else? It's difficult for me to tell.
If it is directed at me, know that I actually do many of the things on people's "spendy" lists...we hardly use any reusable wrapping paper, we get a real tree, we spend a fair bit on gifts, etc. etc. I do think it's a matter of deciding what's important to your family and spending accordingly, though I don't think buying every Christmas gift on credit and paying your bills late, for example, is on anyone's "priority" list.
Dear me. I didn't mean for this post to be taken as seriously as some people are taking it. As I said above, I own a set of Christmas kitchen towels myself, and for the record, I haven't owned a fake Christmas tree in my life (Joshua and Sonia lobby hard against that every year!)
I am all about doing what works for you financially, as long as what works for you is within your means.
The debate between real and artificial trees will go on forever. Just remember that what works for you and your family is what's right for you and your family.
Growing up, my mom's house had a fake tree and my dad's house had a real one. They both had their advantages. As an adult, my husband and I choose real. It works for us.
You have been referencing your score of duplos on ebay lately. I would like to do the same but have not found any that are less than what I could buy new. At least in reasonable single home amounts. What am I doing wrong?
Here's a quick tip...search for misspellings, like Dulpo. There's a pretty awesome set on there for $9.99 right now if you search Dulpo lot. Check it out!
Ooh, that is a great tip. I bet it works for all kinds of other stuff, too!
#10. Buy tickets to lots of expensive, Christmas time only performances so you won't have time or energy for school and church programs.
oh my goodness! i think when i have children they will ALWAYS decorate in safety goggles! too cute!
Oh, I laughed out loud at #2!!! LOL I've always wanted Christmas dishes - Lenox, thank you very much! lol But, I thought that having food to put on some dishes more important than the fancy Christmas dishes sitting on the table empty! lol But, ohhhh, they are pretty. ggggg
#10 - make sure you take spend Christmas at a resort - you know travel expenses, new clothes, hotels, tickets to all the sights, etc., etc.!! lol
10. Make sure you do all of your shopping, wrapping, and shipping of gifts at the last possible minute. That way, you'll buy whatever you need at whatever price they sell it at and pay crazy high prices for overnight holiday shipping!
We TOTALLY have snowman plates, cups, and bowls. And we use them all year long! We also have a plain set of dishes, and two sets of dishes seems to be just the right amount for our family. 🙂
Kristen, These were great...sadly, a great many of us, myself included, have done at least some of these "suggestions"! We are learning now! 🙂 Say, wasn't today to be the Cook's Illustrated Cookbook drawing? Just wondering! Thanks so much for this great blog! Cheeryshirley
#10-make sure to buy your kss everything they see in every ad. It's important to focus in te commercialism a and avoid the true meaning if Christmas.
#10. Don't mentally budget how much you want to spend on a person, or what you want your total to be. Just buy whatever you think is the best possible present! Budgeting is against the meaning of Christmas which is about giving freely *rolls eyes*
I don't have time to read through all the comments, so I'm sorry if this is a repeat, but my #10 would be:
Make sure to have professional photos taken wearing coordinating festive and brand new clothing, shoes, and jewelry (make sure all the ladies have had their hair and nails done in advance), and then send them out in expensive embossed and personalized pre-printed cards (be sure the cards are an odd shape, so you have to pay extra postage) to every person on the planet. I'm sure they all want you hanging on their refrigerators for the next year reminding them of your perfect, coordinated life.
LOL!! I think we'll email friends and family a link to a video compilation of our crazy year--and save the expense of postage and cards and photos.
Oh, and I forgot another possible #10:
Make sure you don't watch the new TV show The Ambush Show, premiering with back-to-back episodes on Saturday, Dec. 3, at noon on OWN (check local listings). You certainly don't want to be entertained, educated, or inspired while learning some great new recipes and cooking tips from the really fun and creative Kristina Kuzmic! Check out the trailer at http://www.oprah.com/ambushcook/Official-Trailer-The-Ambush-Cook.
#10 don't line up for ages to get your children photographed with Santa just so they can be scared & give you a 'why did you do that to me?' look.
Also down here in Australia its the summer airconditioning & flashing light displays that cost the earth. We drive around & show our kids the christmas light displays & they thinks its fantastic because we don't have any lights!! I don't know if my hubby could do carols as we drive!
We spent a bit of money on an artifical tree & have used it ever since & with exactly the same decorations, minus a few glass baubles the kids have broken.
Hope you guys all have a snowy & memorable christmas.
I never thought about christmas lights on the other side of the earth. That's one of the only good things about it getting dark so early around here this time of year is that at least I get to see everyone's lights as I'm driving home from work. If it were the southern hemisphere, I imagine you can't really turn on your holiday lights until after 9m or so...
Funny post! I myself bought wrapping paper last year at the end of January for 90% off! 20 rolls for $1.98!! I stopped sending out cards 2 years ago and send emails instead, it was a tough decision but with 4 kids the money was needed elsewhere. I also keep the Master List of All Things That Are Christmas! Keeps me on track and from losing my mind.
Well, do buy every year at least some new sets of (neon)lights to decorate the garden (and postbox etc). It doesn't matter if neighbours get some stress, they anyway don't understand your way of style. And besides, the lights make everyone a little happier. Yes they do. 😉 (and yes, this is not a thing I just heard of....:-)
(I see there's another Elaine hanging out here, so I'm changing my handle to Elaine in Ark.)
.
#10, Get some unexpected cash, and spend it at least twice.
.
I'm so good at this, it isn't funny. Then I have to go through a "super-frugal paycheck period" to catch back up.
Did anyone mention tickets to Nutcracker Suite followed by a five course meal at a delicious restaurant?
Hoo, boy...reading through these old comments and seeing so much frugal on frugal hate...you just never know what will strike a nerve...my own brand of frugality is heavily influenced by laziness. Case in point: I've already got my fake tree up this year, but only because I left it up all year... 😉
Anyway, just wanted to comment that this is my favorite picture of Zoe ever.
I remember the goggles and sprinklies and have even told people about it! Two other oldies I keep recalling are Sonia pushing a baby or a doll (?) in a stroller and you saying she'll be a great mother some day, and Zoe reading the depth of a swimming pool backward: something like telling you she'd stay in the shallow end of TF 1. Adorable.
My granddaughter is planning on nursing school next year, so I sent her your Day in the Life. Thanks for all your enjoyable posts.