Anyone else stressed over holiday finances?

Well its more my DH than I stressing about it, and the stress is causing us to fight. It's supposed to be a fun time of year, but $ makes it stressful I guess.

Re: Anyone else stressed over holiday finances?

It is a tough time.
We are trying to find a stopping point.
Christmas oufits, cards, pics, presents, food, activities...

then josh's bday a week before...

dh wants more and more under tree.
we can't.

I did a ton of craigslist finds...he feels the money saved should go towards something else. if they are getting used, it should be 2 toys instead of 1.

i think he is crazy.

Re: Anyone else stressed over holiday finances?

i do a lot of bargain hunting, but the amount of gifts to purchase is just crazy. We have to buy gifts for approx 25 people and averaging $50 each, it really adds up.

Obviously I'm not going to spend $50 on my secret santa @ work, but my DS gets way more than $50.

I start stashing some money away starting in September, so I am less worried come december.

Re: Anyone else stressed over holiday finances?

Re: Anyone else stressed over holiday finances?

I think Shorty's idea is great, I'll have to start putting some aside for Christmas myself next year

Re: Anyone else stressed over holiday finances?

Re: Anyone else stressed over holiday finances?

I actually sold some of my jewelry to buy a few gifts for the kids in my family. We are totally paring down everyone and doing more sentimental gifts (like pics of the kids) for the grandparents rather than spending a lot of money. Everyone is my family agreed that this year we're just not spending a lot. No one can afford it.

Re: Anyone else stressed over holiday finances?

I start shopping early (sometimes October) and buy everything on sale with coupons. I hardly ever pay full price for anything. I also have to buy for 25 people and it adds up quickly.

Re: Anyone else stressed over holiday finances?

yes..and this year we are keeping it simple. there are people we're not buying for anymore for a few reasons..

then between our parents and siblings we just asked if they could not buy us stuff, just to buy for DS; I am getting them gifts but putting a limit on each person. Its been pretty painless so far, but Im always stressing about $$. Its a tough time of year and everyone tends to go overboard, so we're trying to control that.

Dh and I agreed to a $50 budget for each other.

Re: Anyone else stressed over holiday finances?

I try not to stress bc if I don't have the extra $$ I don't spend it! My family understands (we have a high mortage and I'm not working so we just can't go gift crazy like we used too!)

Here a some things that make it less stressful:

A holiday grabbag to eliminate having to buy a million gifts for every member of the family.

Off course everyone spoils my son but he is really the only baby in the family.

My husband and I keep it small and meaningful. I honestly can't fathom spending a ton of money on a very $$$ xmas present when the extra money is just not there. I tell my husband before hand NOT to buy me a big gift. As for my son, I will wrap a few presents from his bday that he never even saw, buy him one nice gift and call it a day! He is a baby so he really will be happy with anything right now=)

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas and it is a very stressful time and I do stress but sticking to a more "conservative" plan keeps the stress levels down!

Re: Anyone else stressed over holiday finances?

we just closed on a house, so yes! we can't get as much as we would have liked. I want to get DS a BIG gift and DH is not agreeing with me

an DH and I never exhange with adults or eachother, only kids (9 of them in the family)

Message edited 12/5/2010 10:33:11 PM.

Re: Anyone else stressed over holiday finances?

Now that we are in December it hits harder. I've had to decline some event invites because my budget just can't handle it...and that's hard both to decline and realize I can't do something.