Comments on: Twitter Poll: Will You Be Spending More or Less Than Last Year on Gifts?

By: That One Caveman

That One Caveman — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:13:20 +0000

While my blog doesn’t provide that much income, I feel blessed to receive what I do. Most of the money we spend this year will be on our daughter. My daughter’s currently growing out of all of her toys and needs something that’s more stimulating for her age. I’m guessing we’ll spend no more than $300 total for everyone this year. I love giving tons of gifts, but it just doesn’t make sense where we are right now.

By: KC

KC — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:32:37 +0000

Probably about the same, which isn’t much to begin with. My husband and I are moving over 500 miles this December so I’m not sure we’ll even buy each other gifts – not because of the money but because we won’t have time to shop. But we’ll still get something for our parents and siblings. I have a feeling we’ll be getting some nice things from our parents – like a washer/dryer, refrigerator. So we’ll be spending less, but receiving more :)

By: ChristianPF

ChristianPF — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:32:38 +0000

I think we will be spending about the same this year. Things are a bit tighter for us, but we really get a kick out of giving, so we do whatever we can to make it happen…

By: Mary

Mary — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:24:47 +0000

I’ll be spending less but I’m not sure that’s a bad thing. I’ve been reflecting back on other lean years and realized that some of the best gifts ideas I’ve ever had were born out of the need to save money. We share gift lists in our family and, in fat years, I just buy something off the lists, without a whole lot of consideration. So, less money more thought will be the order of the day this year!

By: Compounding

Compounding — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:17:52 +0000

I will probably be spending twice as much as last year. We have never really gotten into gift giving that much, but when we have, we have been EXTREMELY frugal. I used a bunch of CVS ExtraCare Bucks to buy a few DVDs, some small gifts, and then some gift certificates that I used to buy a couple of bicycles. We did the Restaurant.com gift certificates for extended family and they were so pleased with what they received, but we only paid $2 for a $25 gift certificate.

This year, we are in a much better financial situation, and we will likely get a nice “whole family” gift, and then decent gifts for each of the kids. Paying off debt quickly really opens your eyes to how much you really have. We are saving for retirement and a better future and still have extra money to do fun things.

By: Miss M

Miss M — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:12:41 +0000

I plan to spend the same, I get paid bi-weekly but I budget based on 24 paychecks a year. The extra two paychecks bolster my savings, fix any previous overspending and most importantly, pay for christmas. The christmas money is sitting in my savings account, patiently waiting. We stay away from gifts and discretionary purchases for most of the year and save those things for christmas and birthdays. Any time Mr M sees something he wants I ask, do you want to put that on your christmas wish list.

By: AT

AT — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:09:42 +0000

Probably about the same but I’m going for much more practical presents and doing a lot more outright asking than in the past. “What could I buy you that you would find useful, but also somewhat a treat?” Other than stupid under $5 office gifts (candles, because it’s just better office politics to participate) I’m trying not to buy junk just because it’s Christmas.

My parents announced early that I was getting snow tires. I’m a nervous and not particularly good driver so that made me very happy. I think they’ll be getting nice shearling slippers, gloves, windproof fleese etc. All of this should ensure that we have a very light, unseasonably warm winter :D

By: Silver Eagle

Silver Eagle — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:55:42 +0000

The wife and I will probably be spending a little less this year, but that is mainly because we have decided to keep a closer eye on our buying. Last year we had money set aside for presents, but didn’t really pay attention as we were purchasing them and ended up going over the amount we had set aside by using credit cards. This year we decided on a figure and pulled that much out in cash. Everything will be purchased with that cash and when it is gone then we are either done or we have to come up with it out of the spending allowance we each get weekly.

By: Flexo

Flexo — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:53:26 +0000

Jim: I knew you were being facetious, so was I. :-)

By: jim

jim — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:39:36 +0000

I was being a little facetious but I’ll probably spend a little more than last year, we’ve never been huge gift givers so we might use this time to take advantage of good deals.