Celebrate Christmas

[amahomes]

Since Money is tight; Do you think you should put yourself further into debt for Christmas?  Should we find a difference alter way to celebrate?

[lynnc35]

I already spent too much and hardly know what I spent it on.

[raven1114]

I don't see the point in putting ones self in debt especially a high debt for a holiday. I mean I can see a small debt, say buying with a credit card that can be paid off in a couple of months but not where the person is having to pay for several months on something.

[dkanofsky]

Celebrate Christmas by giving of yourself, not by shopping for things.

[tfw6693]

  You will never get out of debt by borrowing money. When I first started living debt free, it was definitely different. I was the odd man out. Now, it is normal and I don't have to worry how I am going to make ends meet. I will never go back in debt.

[kqa]

I'm an empty nester and I stopped buying so much junk a couple of years ago.  Now I send gourmet treats to my kids since they live out of state.  It is insane to go into debt for Christmas.  It teaches kids the wrong thing to overload them with stuff. 

[LenoraMinogue]

I think spending sensibly is the way to celebrate Christmas without breaking the bank completely.

[kapeh12]

Christmas is more about gathering with family to enjoy a winter holiday, and gifts are more about the how one is thinking about those around them vs the price tag associated with the gift.  Homemade gifts are often more precious than anything store bought.  Things like baking cookies, or assembling a photo album with rarely seen pictures, crafts...  I think all the media tends to brainwash people into buying way more than they really need.  If you cannot afford something, don't buy it - everyone will be happy just to be around one another.

[vmcutshall]

I like to make things for Christmas presents like breads and fruit cakes, candies and give them away at Christmas, I buy very little and don;t believe in putting yourself in debt.

[cathy37]

I always spend too much on Christmas.  Every time I see something I think my daughter will like I buy it and these things add up.

[DeliriousKris]

I think it's fine to celebrate with gift as far as your budget will allow. Who says you cannot make your gifts?
The important part is to spend time with those we care about.

[cloudsoup]

i don't have children, but i can't understand a parent
wanting to give their kids a good christmas... but i also
believe that kids should be taught not to EXPECT so much.

with technology being shoved down their throats and the
facade of keeping up with everyone else, i'm sure teaching
them is harder than it seems.

[tuscarorarain]

What Jem and I do is we go to Goodwill, Dollar Store, and look for WalMart specials. Out children are 3 years old and 5 months so they do not know the difference in cost yet. We can still get away with spending less! lol. We spend a little more than usual on Christmas, but once out of the year seems worth it to us.