The holidays are fast approaching and with them, all the gift giving and celebrations. Money will be spent, but it is a matter of how much and on what. Whether what and how you buy are determined by your household financial situation or are a reflection of values (from buying local to possibly paying more for more sustainable products or foregoing products altogether and buying experiences for your loved ones), things likely change from year to year. So, have you given it any thought?
More than I did last year (9.6%)
The same as I did last year (30.4%)
Less than I did last year (52.5%)
I'm not sure (7.6%)
We just were transferred to a new part of the US that has a higher cost of living than where we were previously stationed and I am having difficulty in finding employment thus far. That coupled with the fact that gas and grocery expenses are so high will, unfortunately, greatly effect our holiday spending this year.
Well, things were really tight last year financially, and mostly, I just baked and put together packages of goodies for our family. This year things are a bit better, so we'll be able to give gift cards and gifts to the children. I still plan to bake though since everyone raved about it and loved it so much!! :)
I have not even decided yet what we plan to spend but it will either be the same or less than last year.
I shop year round for my friends and family. I don't like last minute shopping. I also hit flea markets and garage sales. I am a single woman so I don't have any "large" gift stuff to have to pay for.
I will spend the same but probably come home with fewer presents. I will probably have to cut back on the gift list.
funnymimi says: october 2,2008 6:07pm
well i lost my job in september so i dont know what ill be spending i have some of my shopping done already that i started back a few months ago so that might b all i can do i dont know things have gone up so much in price.
I've been buying and earning gifts all year. I'm just about finished. My kids are grown and we just celebrate with each other and a few close friends.
We like practical or artistic products and that's what I've got in my holiday sack.
We're currently saving to buy a farm to bring our alpacas home to, so what we spend during the holidays will really depend on our income around that time. Now that I have learned to spin and knit I am hoping to make a lot of gifts myself.
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vicky says Everything is so expensive, we will spend less this year. Also I feel the true meaning of Christmas is lost, our families should get together and celebrate Jesus. On my side, our family draws names, which really helps. On my husband's side we always end up buying for 35 people, and it is just too much.