Today's Topic is about
Simplifying our Budgets and Gift Lists.
Oh boy...
I am to give advice on how we are
handling our budget and gift list...
so here it goes.
Simplifying our Budgets and Gift Lists.
Oh boy...
I am to give advice on how we are
handling our budget and gift list...
so here it goes.
Christmas has always been a sticky subject with gift giving,
how much to spend and on what.
We love to give, but it has for many years been very
hard to be able to buy for others.
Mr. Darling has always been the one to
work while I have been a full time mom.
Bills and groceries come first!
Now, with the economy, Mr. Darling as a full time student in Seminary
& me, still a full time mom, leaves
us with an even tighter budget to work with.
We have always had small Christmas's' ...
But we don't mind since it is so over commercialized
and really not the message we are sending to our children...
We have done The Magi Gifts with our children for some years now.
Which is Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
The Gold gift represents a gift that our children have really been wanting all year.
The Frankincense represents something for their
spiritual growth such as a Bible, a journal, music, devotional etc..
Lastly the Myrrh represents some fun smelling yummies
to use daily such as lotion, deodorant, powders, perfume, cologne,
shampoos, bubble bath, bath crystals etc...
And of course I make hand made goodies for them...
Sometimes something else would be added into the gifts...
Just because.
We usually don't spend that much on the gifts
since I am frugal & always looking for a sale.
I buy the bath goodies from the dollar store,
which by the way has some really cute things.
( I love the dollar store)
If I had to guess we spend no more that $50-60 dollars per child.
Mr. Darling & I usually don't exchange gifts.
If we do give to one another,
I have given him a book and he gives me my favorite perfume.
I always fill his stocking with treats.
As far as extended family goes...
we usually don't have the budget to buy gifts.
Home made gifts are best.
I have made Christmas dolls for most the ladies
in my family and give baked goods to friends and neighbors.
I also send out Christmas cards.
It's the thought that counts!
We have also had big family White Elephant gift parties, which makes it really simple.
You just have to buy one gift $10-$20.
Then no feelings get hurt that you didn't buy EVERYONE a gift!
This year will again be a small, simple Christmas.
That is perfect with me!
how much to spend and on what.
We love to give, but it has for many years been very
hard to be able to buy for others.
Mr. Darling has always been the one to
work while I have been a full time mom.
Bills and groceries come first!
Now, with the economy, Mr. Darling as a full time student in Seminary
& me, still a full time mom, leaves
us with an even tighter budget to work with.
We have always had small Christmas's' ...
But we don't mind since it is so over commercialized
and really not the message we are sending to our children...
We have done The Magi Gifts with our children for some years now.
Which is Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
The Gold gift represents a gift that our children have really been wanting all year.
The Frankincense represents something for their
spiritual growth such as a Bible, a journal, music, devotional etc..
Lastly the Myrrh represents some fun smelling yummies
to use daily such as lotion, deodorant, powders, perfume, cologne,
shampoos, bubble bath, bath crystals etc...
And of course I make hand made goodies for them...
Sometimes something else would be added into the gifts...
Just because.
We usually don't spend that much on the gifts
since I am frugal & always looking for a sale.
I buy the bath goodies from the dollar store,
which by the way has some really cute things.
( I love the dollar store)
If I had to guess we spend no more that $50-60 dollars per child.
Mr. Darling & I usually don't exchange gifts.
If we do give to one another,
I have given him a book and he gives me my favorite perfume.
I always fill his stocking with treats.
As far as extended family goes...
we usually don't have the budget to buy gifts.
Home made gifts are best.
I have made Christmas dolls for most the ladies
in my family and give baked goods to friends and neighbors.
I also send out Christmas cards.
It's the thought that counts!
We have also had big family White Elephant gift parties, which makes it really simple.
You just have to buy one gift $10-$20.
Then no feelings get hurt that you didn't buy EVERYONE a gift!
This year will again be a small, simple Christmas.
That is perfect with me!
Oooh! I love the idea of the family elephant gifts! Maybe I should suggest that?? Cool idea!
ReplyDeleteI will this post to the Christmas Card one.
I will keep the next one "open". Sorry about that!
Oh I love your The Magi Gifts ideas, wonderful. It is hard to not feel pressure, what a great way to remember the heart of Christmas xoxox Clarice
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