It’s the time of year. We all know the feeling. Hurry up and rush! From July, all of a sudden it’s December. The holidays :reindeer: are around the corner and we’re not ready! 
For me, the holidays sneak up because the weather no longer gets cold by Thanksgiving. 
Which means there’s no warning! Worse for me personally is that I don’t celebrate Christmas :lights: so every year Hanukkah (which goes by the Jewish Calendar) is at a different time of the month. 
And wouldn’t you know it, this year Hanukkah is December 10th! :hanstar:
So by next week, while many of you are rushing around, getting the lights on your tree :decor: and buyings presents :santalights: :treecut: I will be lighting the Menorah 
and giving gifts! I’d better HURRY!
But this year it’s also harder financially than it’s been in the past. On ALL of us. Close family is one thing and it’s easier to have a ‘what should we buy each other’ conversation. But what about extended people in your life? Business people? People you may have sent gifts in the past? If you’re ready to shorten your list for financial reasons, is it good enough to just … not send this year? Will people just understand that everyone’s cutting back? Or do you feel you still need to do something? And if so … what? It’s a tough time for everyone and I’m curious how you’re all handling those things? As for me, I freely admit I am still undecided. 
But one thing is for sure … the holiday season is here! I say we find ways to enjoy the rush … and I’ll be wishing for snow! 
After all, as long as it is the holiday season I sure wish it would FEEL like it! 
Carly Phillips would like to take 100% credit for all her stories but the truth is, Carly’s strength is writing family, emotion, funky elderly people and animals. She couldn’t plot her way out of a paper bag, which is why she smartly found her plotmonkey pals early on in her writing career. Thanks to their support, Carly is now a NYT Bestselling author of 23 plus novels. Because writing doesn’t keep her busy enough, Carly is also a wife, a mother of one preteen and one teenage daughter, the primary care giver of her soft coated Wheaten terrier and an expert carpool mom.
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:meepcold: Oh man, if I could just crawl back into bed….
If I had to have everything done by the 10th, I’d hyperventilate. Good luck to you, and have a peaceful Hanukkah. :Han1:
Time to make copious amounts of hot tea.
(
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I only have one daughter so we will spend on her as we usually do, plus she is a January 3rd birthday girl so I buy and split up between the two occasions. It is her 16th birthday so I am making it a little more special. I am cutting back on the dollar amount I spend on other family members. However I am undecided about the co-workers/friends that I buy for. If I think I can find something inexpensive I will but I may just not do anything. And hubby and I said no gifts for each other. We say that every year but this year we will mean it.
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I’m hoping everyone understands that I’ve cut back this year. I’ve paid cash for everything this year and probably spent half of what I usually spent. I’ve gotten everyone things they will like, just didn’t over-do this year.
My co-workers and I stopped exchanging gifts last year. We still get something for our bosses, just not each other. Also stopped exchanging gifts with friends last year.
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This year we are being more careful on what we spend and we will be spending less. We will actually be getting for more people this year, just trying to extend the cheer a little more and really looking for the sales. I also started my own online store a couple of months ago and am doing handmade items for a bunch of people. Instead of a big present it will probably be something small and then a handmade scarf or throw.
I also have three little kids (4,2,1) They are getting gifts from Santa but most will probably be practical. New PJs and such. Maybe only one game for the older two and the one year old just takes everything they have so I think she is covered
Happy Hanakah and Merry Christmas.
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We just say it straight out–we have to cut back even more this year. So sorry but that’s the way it is. It’s amazing to me how packed the shopping malls are when I drive by. Somebody has money to spend.
I hope you have a peaceful and Happy Hanukkah, Carly :Han1: :hanstar:
Are you going on your big Holiday trip this year?
:meepcold:
Cher
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I told my 7 year old (he’s pretty smart) that Santa had to cut back (he wanted a $80 Lego set). I told him it’s a recession and he needs to cut back his list….lol.
My husband is weird. He wants to cut back what our kids get and increase what he gives his siblings. Of course, his siblings are all in their 20s/30s, have jobs, etc. Obviously, I don’t understand still and didn’t do that when I bought gifts….LOL. My boys are getting their major gifts from my parents. I don’t know how I did that, but I did…..the boys are still getting pjs, a toy (about $30, except for my youngest, which is a combo gift because his birthday is in Jan) and little things….they are also getting a Target gift card (small one) from Santa to help them learn about $$ and also just a fun thing.
We did cut back on the teachers’ gifts, but they are still getting a Border’s card. Love giving books :)
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Thanks for the laugh about the husband….I gave up trying to figure mine out a long time ago. As for the siblings getting more….I’d have ignored him and gone and spent more on the kids too!
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Happy :Han1: Carly!
We’ve always given homemade baked goods to neighbors and Lawyer Guy’s associates. For his office mate and secretary, we give a small “token” present. With the addition of The Only’s fiancé, we now have him and at least his dad to shop for. Don’t ask about future MiL and her clan *shudder*) LG and I will probably cut back on our presents to each other to make sure the kids have lots under the :lights: I have to find our :santalights: so I can get them strung this weekend.
FYI,
all the new icons!
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We are cutting way back as well. Taking the girls to NYC for Christmas and that is their big gift. (Broadway tickets for 5 people x 2 shows…ouch!)
My family (dad & sibs) are all in the same boat and decided we’d just send each other lots of love this year.
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I love baking or giving something handmade. If not one of those for friends, I’ll give a Christmas ornament. It’s something small and relatively inexpensive, but something they can enjoy year after year….
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I have definately cut back on my shopping. My sister and I even went halfs on a gift for our mom. I also noticed last night while out shopping that retailers have really trimmed their shelves this year. I was at Target last night and had the hardest time trying to find ribbon.
I finally found some, but they only had 4 left.
Good luck on your shopping adventures, Carly
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One of my favorite ways to cut back on shopping is to bake gifts for people. I have these cute little mini loaf pans and I made lemon cranberry tea bread or my mom’s whiskey cake, wrap the little cakes in aluminum foil, tie a ribbon around it, and voila! People always at least act very pleased. :SmallSanta:
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:santabag: :decor: As far as Christmas shoping and gift giving goes, I am done shopping. Well except fpr leading my hubby by the hand out to the stores to face all those crowds. UGH! If I leave him to his own devices, he will be out all day walking around aimlessly and come home empty handed and dazed! LOL He doesn’t like crowds and gets overwelmed with facing them at shopping time.
:santalights: I have bought small inexpensive gifts and as we have in the past because there are just so many of us we are haveing what is called a chiness Christmas. :bigtree: Let ne explain how it works:
1. All the children still get presents from everyone.
2. Women buy a gift for a woman $15 to $25 and wrap it putting on the tag “From…: Men do the same only for a man.
3′ We all sit down and the oldest goes first and picks a gift. Women form the women’s pile, Men from the mens. After opening the gift they hold on to it and watch as the next person in line goes.
4. When the next person opens their gift they can choose to keep it or trade with anyone else who has opened their gift. When everyone has opened their gift the oldest person can then trade their gift with anyone else. But when all is said and done you can swap gifts with anyone else who wants to trade with you.
:santalights: Its a lot of fun because you never know what you’ll end up with and it is cheaper than buying a gift for every individual. :decor:
:bigxmas: and :happychan:
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I am way, way behind. I only have the outside lights almost done, and don’t even know if I am putting up a :bigtree: this year inside- I am not sure it could survive Terror Kitty!
The cleaning is way behind as is the gift buying. And now I have the flu.
I am going back to bed.
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Get better EV :lights:
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get better ev!
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Thanks guys. Hubby brought me sherbert and honey lemon drops for my throat. I think I will spend tomorrow in bed too. So much for getting my Xmas stuff done. :*&#!:
I hope by next year I have my diningroom and craft stuff done so I can start doing my stained glass and crafts again. Somewhat cheaper for presents- at least for those who appreciate them!
Maybe I’ll do some baking.
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:bigxmas: Merry Christmas everyone and Happy Hanukkah Carly :Han1:
Well, we might not have snow here, but it FINALLY cooled off enough this week that I got to put on a sweater. YEAH ME!!
Everyone south of the border is having just as hard a time as
everyone in the States. Since DH and I both work from home, we don’t have to worry about a lot of gift giving. All my family lives State side so that is also not a problem, but we still have the FOUR kids to worry about.
Living in a tourist filled area, the retailers have marked EVERYTHING up from ordinary milk to a regular loaf bread. You wouldn’t believe the price for toys. Last year I made the little ones a DVD full of kids audio books and ebooks that I had collected throughout the year. They loved it. I also put together a candy bad topped off with a print tag/bookmarker. This year, I am still looking for ideas! I would love to hear suggestions….
But on the bright side, the tree is up and decorated. :bigtree: Santa’s village is out and the kids are happy.
:santalights:
Happy holidays to everyone
Oh, don’t forget to watch Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracel on Saturday.(Hallmark channel) :SmallSanta:
~Talina
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Oppss, sorry for the typo. What I meant to type was ‘Mrs. Miracle’.
Talina :SmallSanta:
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I am cutting back this year.
Two kids in college and lots of health expenses this year took a bite out of my Holiday giving.
:bigtree:
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I have a question…at what point do the sibs stop exchanging gifts? In my family, we stopped when we all had kids (we still all buy for the kids, but we just aren’t supposed to get one…of course, that rule is always broken). In my husband’s family, this could go on forever (because no one is getting married). Just curious if there was an ‘age’ or something. It’s very frustrating for me because the kids don’t get a gift from the aunts/uncles and I’d rather that they get one (we’re the only one with kids). My husband doesn’t want to broach the subject with them, but I was just curious.
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don’t look at me…I’m one of 13 and we still exchange…btw…I’m 40 … hubbies family stopped last year without telling us so they all felt a little stupid opening up the gifts from us and not having anything for us.I didn’t care….I still bought for them anyway again this year…if they don’t want to give fine…but I can’t in good concience buy for my family and not for his. But I will admit that my family gets the better gifts from here on out :santalights: BTW…hubby says my family should have been getting the better gifts all along…lmao
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When I had to retire a couple of years ago that ended any real extravagance at Christmas. I give each of the grandchildren something that is around the $20 range, give or take a $ or 3!! :SmallSanta: The only adult I buy for is my youngest daughter as previously she has no one giving her a gift other than a girlfriend & now her son as he has a job. Last year he gave us each beautiful bouquets of roses. It was very unexpected and so sweet. When I mention previously in regards to my daughter she is dating someone special now. I’m hoping he gives her something special. He was raised in a Jewish home but isn’t practicing. They are going to his parents for Hanukkah. :Han1: She was a little concerned as she really doesn’t know much about the Jewish faith. I do often do some baking or make something homemade to give away. I also make Lemon Curd, which is yummy & easy. My oldest grandson likes me to make him cookies so I usually make several different kinds to give him. This year I am thinking about doing some kind of gift basket for my daughter with goodies, not sure just what yet. :santabag: I might star with some good coffee and go from there! Sometimes that can add up quickly. She is working Christmas day which means we don’t have specific plans yet. It always all works out. :reindeer: :bigxmas: :hann2:
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:meepcold: P.S. Winter arrived here yesterday, it is cold, overcast/foggy and all of about 40 degrees the other day it was 70!!! That is why it feels so darn cold!!
:treecut: No sun!! Rain is coming later in the week. :rain: :wreath: :santalights:
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Umm…. that is a four letter word that you are not allowed to utter in my vicinity…. Sn@w= #^%!
Shudders to think about it up here in New England!
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I always get the ladies (4) that work for me nice gift certificates because the company doesn’t give bonuses or gifts and it’s really an appreciation for a job well done. :present2:
For all the other “fringe” gifting, we had a bumper crop of pears & pecans from our 2 lovely trees at home so I canned the pears and shelled the pecans and made gift baskets out of my little harvest.
I feel like a “prairie woman”.!
Y’all don’t understand how anti-prairie I am. I know people are not going to believe I did all that. On the label for the preserves I attached a tiny waiver of liability for any ailments contracted from consumption of said preserves.
:bigxmas: and :happychan: to All!
Tami B
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My best friend works for an farm…and the stuff they deam not good enough she’s allowed to take home…she can’s up the most wonderful stuff….freezes other stuff to make breads and such…and gives it all out at Christmas to her friends, family and Coworkers….including the owner of the farm who didn’t think it good enough to begin with…lmao.
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I believe that most people are cutting back this year. I have to admit that this is the first year in about six years that my family will be receiving gifts from me. The deal has always been that I only give if I can afford it and this year I can (probably because I’ve been watching my budget even more closely with the economy the way it is). Most of those gifts are being handmade by myself so I better get a move on because I still need to make a fair few.
As for cutting back who you give to, I’m not sure how to tell the people you don’t want to or can’t afford to give to anymore, however if they can’t understand the need to cut back then personally I don’t think they deserved a gift in the first place.
As for weather (being in the Southern Hemisphere) I wish that summer would actually show up – it did for a while in November, but the last few days have felt like winter.
:bigxmas:, Happy Holidays and Happy Hanukkah to everyone
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:Han1: Happy Hanukkah Carly
Who we buy for depends on who we host for Christmas. We tend to rotate which inlaws come for dinner, although my mom is always here. She’s the GRANDMA (primary grandparent in the kids’ lives) and lives here in town.
For friends and acquaintances, I bake and/or give something crafty and homemade. The only person who gets a Christmas “bonus” from our family is our mail carrier because I run an online business, and she is just awesome about picking up packages from our snow laden porch. ($25 or less is acceptable for most US postal carriers per federal employee guidelines)
We cut way back on the number of gifts we bought this year, but I think we actually did a better job of picking gifts the kids will love.
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I am still buying gifts for all my nieces and nephews but I’m trying to not spend as much and I will get my mom and dad something. I’m not buying anyone at work anything this year.
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Several of my family members and friends and I decided a couple of years ago to go the charitable route instead of gifts. None of us really need more stuff – and there are so many people out there struggling. We compile a list of the charities that we work with or that mean something to us and share it amongst the group. Then when Christmas cards go out – we include a note about the contribution we’ve made.
If there’s not a particular charity, generally, for the women in my family, I make a donation to an organization like The Next Door or the Magdalene House here in Nashville. The Next Door helps women in crisis situations get back on their feet and Magdalene helps women who suffer from addiction. I personally think there is no greater than someone saying they volunteered at a dog shelter because of my love for dogs or helped at a women’s shelter because I inspired them in some manner.
Just my take on the whole thing…
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We do that type of thing year round… My 17 yo has raised the most money every year for about 8 years for Meals on Wheels in our community (gives a warm meal every day to shut in elderly). We also do Warm the Children which gives warm clothing for kids 12 and under to help ensure they have warm coats and clothes. Given toys and extras I’ve gotten clearance shopping to Adopt a family at Christmas…(My aunt has some money and every year adopts a family and I get volunteered to go shopping with her to do the families because I’m known to be able to get the good deals whether it’s clothes, toys or gift items…)Hubby and I always participate in any benefit motorcycle ride in the area (whether it’s the club we belong to or not). Sometimes people forget that the needy aren’t just needy at Christmas. You know what I mean?
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I completely know what you mean, and that’s why we generally have lists of charities that are close to our hearts – different organizations we have worked with throughout the year that have touched our hearts. I in no way meant to imply that it’s a once a year thing in our households.
This time is the year is especially difficult, though and the needs generally escalate – so in our house we make a concerted effort to do a little extra.
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I completely know what you mean, and that’s why we generally have lists of charities that are close to our hearts – different organizations we have worked with throughout the year that have touched our hearts. I in no way meant to imply that it’s a once a year thing in our households.
This time is the year is especially difficult, though and the needs generally escalate – so in our house we make a concerted effort to do a little extra.
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This is a tough one in some respects and not so tough in others. Cutting back on the amount you get a person maybe…not getting them at all….no…even if it’s just something you made, baked…heck….even a photo you took of the kids, scenery, flowers,ect that can be framed for cheap. It’s the thought and not the price. I had some years when I left my abusive ex and made less than 6 grand and had two kids….I still managed to do everyone on my list and learned pretty quick not just about clearance shopping….but buying things to put in the closet for the next year. I learned it’s a lot cheaper to buy a couple things a month all year rather than wait till the two months before and be sick about it. Take Hallmark for example…every year after thanksgiving and christmas they mark down their Yankee candle Jar Candles until they are gone…I’ve gotten the 25.00 candles for 3.25 every year…. It makes a nice gift and anyone who knows yankee candle assumes you paid the 20-25 each when they get it. And if it’s someone really close to me I make a basket outta it. I buy a topper and a shade (usually at the yankee candle flagship store) the week after Christmas at their 1.00 3.00 and 5.00 tables. I can usually do a 50-100 yankee candle gift basket for about 10-15. And throw in a couple scratch tickets if it’s a couple so the man has something to enjoy outta the basket too.
Not just at Christmas but at other times of the year you can do things cheap too…for mother’s day and birthdays during my garden season I buy terra cotta pots at the flea market and tag sales…wash em good…and buy a bag of soil and I dig up a little of everything because I have really good gardens… everyone loves it because plants are expensive and I just saved them so money and it looks nice and when planted…it keeps on giving.
Just a thought.
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one quick thing I forgot…kids I give money to…I just stick 5.00 a week in an envelope to save and do for later….and any extra I can spend at the holidays for last minute items. And two… gift cards don’t expire…so you could always get a gift card…and every month add money onto it (reloading I believe is the term) anyway….if you put some money on it every month and keep it put away you have it to do your shopping later on…sorta like a christmas club that you keep…
BTW… I have about 15 candles and all the trimmings in the closet for next year already along with nice yankee candle gift boxes I get for free because anytime I shop at their store I ask for some of them and they never have a problem giving them if you are shopping.