Cutting Back on Christmas? Where Will You Tighten Santa's Belt This Year?

This year we have NO budget for Christmas, but we will still have a beautiful Holiday. I am making goodie boxes for our kids, grandkids and a nephew who's serving in Afghanistan. They all love my homemade candies and goodies and its something that they don't have time to do, with their busy schedules. I have also made each one of them a handcrafted ornament, with a personal note attached. I can tell you, the notes brought tears to my eyes and I pray that these ornaments will be something that they will have from Grandma & Gtrandpa for years to come. Our kids are geographically too far away for us to spend the holiday together, so we adopt a family that lives by us and invite them for Christams dinner. that way I can still enjoy the planning a serving. It's been wonderful in years past. WEe are truely blessed!

There is a really neat website called scrapblog.com, where you can make an online scrapbook and then have it printed. A small book (slightly bigger than a postcard) up to 20 pages is $9.99. Instead of spending the usual $25 on each person, this year each couple gets a scrapbook of my daughter's first year. Going to wrap them each differently to keep 'em guessing. Saving buckets of money this year.

Hi All, this year the "over 20's" in my family are not receiving gifts from each other. A couple of weeks ago I organised to do "shoeboxes" full of small gifts for children that would be staying at shelters with their Mums over Christmas. Together with my daughter's Ranger Girl Guides(Girl Scouts in USA)(14-18 year olds) we delivered over 50 shoeboxes to shelters. It might not have been that cost effective for the adults, but the feeling is overwhelming. We have all we need. Cheers, Karen G., Perth, Western Australia. PS This website is fantastic! Thanks!

I have had a friend give my an used cd player for my son, I made him his own C.D. on my computer. We have bought used books at the thift store. And shopped Ebay for used video games. Anyother friend is selling me an ice fishing item for my husband at half the price I would pay for a new. My daughter and I made 10 homemade gifts for less than $20.

WHAT I TRY TO DO IS TO START THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS WITH SALES &COUPON BOOKS, SIGN UP FOR STORES NEWS LETTERS & DISCOUNTS CARDS!

IT REALLY WORKS

s BAISLEY

wESTBROOKVILLE nY 12785

We're doing all of this except for cutting back on entertaining. We decided as a family that being together with friends was more important than lots of the other more disposable things that take up part of the budget. So now we're looking forward to cookie exchanges and get togethers!

I asked family members what they want for Christmas and got all sorts of expensive ideas. Then I asked them what they would like that I could make. I got thoughtful, sweet ideas that mean more to all of us. So lots of handmade gifts going out this year.