That holiday subject...

[babylonsister]

I did it, I admit. I bought gifts for those I had to though I have downsized a lot. Gift cards are great (let Mom shop with the grandkids for stuff they want instead of me trying-and the moms agreed).

I had sent t-shirts to a few people several months ago, and the mailing prices were staggering. So I was determined to try and resolve that.

So, I sent about 3 boxes, one 'big' envelope, $50 later...

I'm done this year, but have learned lots for next year.

And you?

P.S. Me and hubby had no such parameters; I have a huge box under the tiny tree; it's either a big cutting board or something electronic. :shrug:

[magellan]

1. I'm baking and may send a $25 Borders gift card or two

Hubby and I will exchange gifts, but we cut back a lot this year. The dogs are getting the most (but their gifts cost less!).

[Horse with no Name]

2. I did good last year.

Not so good this year.
Between working full time and going to school full time...I just didn't have the time to devote to smart shopping this year.
I did manage to avoid the big box stores...and things made in China...but I ended up spending a little more money.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. We got laptops for the kids

and I played Santa for a few kids whose parents can't afford to buy presents.

Not going overboard at all. Feels good to have a quiet Christmas.

[babylonsister]

5. We always have a quiet X-mas because my DH works, but that's

okay. I'm going to MX in Feb. for my birthday, with my twin sister and her DH, and it will be SuperBowl Sunday! I'm stoked, just to get away.

Laptops sound good, and Merry Christmas to you, Proud. Thank you for all you do. :hug:

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. What's MX?

Merry Christmas to you too Friend. Thanks for keeping this place sane. :hug:

[babylonsister]

16. MX is Mexico, which you'd know if this thread had even

a flavor of it. I'm not surprised, but
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU,

proud!

I respect you so much, as a fighter. You are HOT!

[durrrty libby]

4. Making it meaningful is the clue. It is not about stuff to me

My sons are expected to do something for a stranger anonymously

I give free service from my business to a battered women's shelter

We do shoe box xmas to 20 soldiers. My son in the military sends the names



We have a couple of other fun activities planned to help out:)

[babylonsister]

6. Thank you for sharing! Merry Christmas,

and thanks for being a good dad.

And I hope your son in the military is in the US. I have 3! in the Coast Guard, and I dread if any one of them had to go towards war.

[sandnsea]

8. I wish I'd thought of that

We did secret angels when the kids were little. We drew names and you had to do one nice thing every day, that couldn't cost any money. When the kids got to be teen-agers, they got to 'cool' for that sort of thing. I wish I'd thought of the anonymous charitable thing, that would have been a great way to extend that tradition into adulthood.

[sandnsea]

7. We have never done all this gift giving

The adults all exchange names and we buy one $30 gift. We buy each grandchild one thing. My husband and I rarely exchange gifts for anything. I bought online and had items shipped free to two sets of grandkids. That's it. I did bake cookies this year for a couple of close friends, but that was really more me wanting to bake than anything. I read some of the gift giving here and can understand how some of the other people get stressed out over the holidays.

[babylonsister]

9. I live in a town far away from my family, so I have to send something,

every year. For me to downsize was amazing, but reason outlived anything else. Kids getting big, big enough to know they can buy what they like instead of me guessing.

[sandnsea]

12. I do for grandkids

But nobody else. I've never lived near my family. A phone call on Christmas day, a card if we feel like it, that's it. I think I would hate Christmas too if I had to figure out how to give gifts to parents and grandparents siblings and on and on. That's a lot of people!!

[RB TexLa]

10. Wife and I will finish ours up on the 24th. Spend the day downtown, Stars game,Mr. Stanley's store

and midnight mass at the cathedral.

We did the same last year, basically picked something out for ourselves together.

[babylonsister]

13. That sounds so very nice to me! Thank you for making my night, and

holiday. Wow.

[leftofthedial]

11. baking, cooking

writing songs, recording CDs

[babylonsister]

14. So perfect! I worry about

those recording CDs, really. I did it before it was cool. I made lots of CDs.

[leftofthedial]

20. LOL

these are all CDs of my original songs.

I don't pirate.

[unhappycamper]

17. I send out

Smedley VFP or IVAW t-shirts.

People seem to like them.

[babylonsister]

19. Those are priceless!

:hug:

[donheld]

18. I will be waiting at my mailbox

What are you sending me :D:hide: