Comments on: Cheerful Frugality Says “Enough!”

By: Shelbi

Shelbi — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:48:07 +0000

Sending a big AMEN!!! to that post. We set a limit early in the season and stick to it (one storebought, one small second-hand or purchased gift, and one or two handmade gifts). By the week before Christmas, it doesn’t seem like much, but each year, it is enough!

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:08:33 +0000

This is so hard for me. I definitely asked everyone to cut back what they buy for my 4 year old twins and intended to that myself but I started shopping too early when I saw deals and now ended up with way too much (and it was mostly bought 4+ months ago and can not be returned!)

OK…I will try better next year to keep track and/or shop later.

By: Corey

Corey — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:52:43 +0000

I am doing the same thing with my kids and so is my MOM!!!! yes, it does need to stop. Thankfully there is only one week left. I am determined to be completely done shopping by Friday since that is my kids’ last day of school. I refuse to take them with me shopping!

By: Beth/Mom2TwoVikings

Beth/Mom2TwoVikings — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:35:29 +0000

To save us from getting in that habits (since our little ones are still small), we started a tradition of “Jesus got 3 presents at the manger, so you get three presents under the tree.”

By: KimC (frugalmommy)

KimC (frugalmommy) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 02:46:33 +0000

For the last 2 or 3 years we have bought one big present for all of our children to share, confident that the grandparents and other relatives will buy enough smaller ones to fill the space under the tree.
It’s worked out beautifully and I don’t find myself asking if I need to get just a few more gifts for one child or another. They’re all covered at once and it’s not hard to just *quit* thinking about it.

By: mamajuliana

mamajuliana — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 01:08:27 +0000

I have to fight the feeling of ‘buying more’ after I have said that I am done Christmas shopping. Yes, our children have enough presents-but all those last minute bargains this year are really tempting me.

I literally have to STAY OUT of all stores the final weeks before Christmas. I make hubby do the last minute grocery runs.

By: N.

N. — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:44:28 +0000

You think not having kids would make my husband and I immune to this but I’ll admit having a tree with no presents under it is a bit depressing. Instead of buying more for ourselves we bought some more stuff to donate to our church for needy families. The presents have to be brought in on the 21st but in the meantime they are dressing up the space under the tree.

By: Ladybug

Ladybug — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:44:18 +0000

I do a huge purge of our house after Thanksgiving. I’m part of a huge Bargain Sale that my Junior League puts on every year. Most of what I round up goes toward that sale.

I also make a list. And then I stick to it.

I spend cash. NEVER credit. I use my debit card knowing that if I go over my limit: I just won’t have any money left in the bank, I’ll have to return some gifts (no matter how badly I want my nieces and nephews to have them), and my husband will be disappointed (which I HATE).

I make sure there is no “down” time on Christmas Day. We are immediately immersed in games (that were recieved as gifts) or we go outside to play or we make Christmas cookies.

By: kelly jeanie

kelly jeanie — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:22:25 +0000

Thank you for the reminder. It’s easy to find the deals, hard to know when to quit!