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Xmas Budget

I mentioned my initial goal of $35o for Holiday gift shopping in a post I did in October. Well I reached my goal last week but winded up using giving $300 of it to my mom. Long story short, my mom is the only one paying the bills right now (mind you both of my parents work) and I wanted to help her out.

Anyways as of this moment, I currently have $50 in my Xmas gift fund account.
After redoing my list, I have set my budget to $300.

Xmas List

1. Daughter - $25


2. Niece = $20


3. Mom = $30


4. Sis #1 = $25


5. Sis #2 = $25


6. Bro = $25


7. Adopt-A-Child (8 kids) = $125


8. My Bestie's 3 boys


N = $10

J = $10

J = $5



TOTAL = $300



Thanks to the Xmas goodies I purchased on sale last year and saving all my decorations and tree, I really had nothing to buy for decorations this year. :-) Definitely keeping that a tradition. My daughter and I had a great time opening up the boxes of stuff.

Thanks to a little inspiration, I am focusing more on giving to those who are in need this Holiday season. I am now in a position financially where I can give without it hurting my pockets. I don't believe that Christmas is about how much gifts you are able to give/get or how much money you drop on gifts. Its about spending time with your loved ones and being grateful for what you do have. If you can't afford to buy gifts this year, don't fret about it. Remember what that you DO have is time. So make it a memorable one.

This holiday season I've learned that there is so much to be grateful for. So much more than just gifts. I dislike terms such as "Can't afford Christmas". Christmas isn't to be bought. It is to be celebrated. Cherished. Remembered.


Do you remember everything you got for Christmas when you were little? The only one I really remember is my 1st bike and that it is mainly because my dad taught me how to ride it that day. What I do remember is picking Xmas trees with my dad, or helping my mom bake a cake, playing hide and go seek in our apartment complex with 20 other kids, or going to the beach (I live in Florida). I couldn't tell you what gifts I got those years. Just goes to show you its not about the money, its about the memories.


If you teach your kids to measure Christmas by the number of gifts under the tree, don't be surprised when they react as such when your not able to deliver.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Thanks for this post. My budget this year for holiday gifts is $300 as well. I have 10 adults on my list, including myself and my husband. I told a friend I was only spending a total of $300 for everyone and he stared at me in disbelief.

My strategy is to be creative and buy one or two thoughtful gifts for each person. So far, I have found several good deals on great gifts that I know the people on my list will love.
{Kay Kay} said…
Loooove it! You are so right! Christmas can't be BOUGHT. We started the tradition of going to the movies every Christmas night. I might try yours, going to the beach, if it's not too cold.
Becky SIlke said…
Thank you for reminding us all, sometimes it easy to get caught up in media hoopla and forget that part. Your post was just what I needed!
Cheers~
Dimples said…
@ Anon

Your welcome. And you can do the $300 with exactly the plan you have laid out. You and I have similar strategies. I am aiming at thoughtful and creative gifts also. Be sure to come back and let me know how you did.

@ Kay Kay

Hey Bestie!!! LOL. I lived damn near the equator when we hit up the beach so I don't know about this year. May be too cold. We may steal your tradition and do the movies thing. How my babies doing?

@ HappyHourMom

Yes the media is good at what they do. I'm glad my post helped in some way. Have a great and memoryful Xmas! :-D
Single Ma said…
Wish I could hit the BEACH for Christmas. As someone from the NE, that sounds so weird to me. LOL

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