Megan B
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My presents to people this year are cheaper. I was lucky to find exactly what my mum wanted on sale. $20 limit for each gift. :)
Our old tree decorations were getting old and broken so for this year my mum and I bought some ribbon and tied bows on the tree. Looks stunning!
Food will mostly be from Aldi because the stuff there tastes good and is so much cheaper than other supermarkets.
Buy softdrink cans in bulk packs! Saves a fortune for me!
I have pretty much stopped using my mobile phone except for important things. I have the internet (flat monthly rate) I can contact people with instead of using the phone. Voice chat is just as good.
Saving on clothes for summer buy shopping on ebay.
Something fun to do on Christmas is to turn last years christmas cards you received into little boxes. Then you can use them for more tree decorations or gift boxes. Recycling made fun.
Merry Christmas everyone. |
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My Thoughts U Can't Decode
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My 2 adult sisters and I have agreed to only buy for each other's children rather than each other. To me, I have my family, a roof over my head and food on the table. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ for me, and also a time for children so I have no problem doing this. |
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gatoamor82
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I am getting crafty and making handmade gifts, with sentimental value :) For all of my close friends, I bought a plain wooden pic frame from the dollar store, then framed a pic of a memory with my friend. then I went to the craft store and got stickers, decorations, glitter, sequins and paint and I am going to decorate the frames with a personal touch ;)
Then for my Grandparents and Parents, I am going to make ornaments that have pictures in them...they are wooden and in the shapes of cats, dogs, stars, heart, etc. So I am going to put a little pic of family, their pets, etc. on the wooden shapes, then decorate and write a message on each one, add a hook to make it an ornament. Also I bought tins with a holiday theme and I am going to bake homemade cookies (maybe 3 or 4 kinds) and put them in the tins. Then I bought really big holiday mugs. I am going to fill them with their favorite teas/folgers singles for the coffee drinkers. Then I will bunch everything together in a big gift basket and wrap cellophane and a bow around them :)
For my boyfriend, I am creating a scrapbook of the good times we have had:) Also I am knitting a trendy scarf for him, striped Navy and baby blue... like Gap Style...but I know he will love it since I made it :)
I went to JoAnn Fabrics and the dollar store last night and spent $75 on all of the supplies I need. I figure it will be about $20 more for the cookie ingredients. So basically I just made about 15 gifts for about $100 :) And I know I would appreciate a sentimental gift like that just as much, if not more than any store bought gift. |
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42
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My entire extended family is doing a giant secret Santa.
Everyone but the younger kids are participating. |
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keriljames
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I'm going to embrace "re-gifting". Obviously personal, thoughful gifts wont be forwarded to a new home, but generic things I get from work colleagues or business associates will definitely be found a more appreciative recipient - I already have a pair of pearl earrings going to a relative and a silver plated photo frame ear marked for another friend, all at a cost of nothing to me. Me, cheap? Hell yes! :) |
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vetsmom_rgv
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we are writing a family Christmas letter and including a family photo. And we will be buying one or two gifts for our four year old. We are also asking family members not to buy toys, just necessities like clothes for our daughter.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! |
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Froggie
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The same thing that I do every Christmas, make presents where you can by knitting or cross stitch etc., make your own salads instead of buying them, go halves with a friend in the cost of making them, then you share out the total end product. Buy things all year long when you have a few spare dollars and put them away, and I always throw in as an extra - like a couple of tea towels and a hand towel you buy them in packs of six, so you can share them over three people, I even try to colour code the towels to their kitchen decor. I love receiving home made things like christmas cake or shortbread on a pretty plate from the $2 shop, too easy! |
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MurkySurf
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Christmas sucks when you don't have your mother to share it with. So not being in the Christmas spirit really helps keep the costs down. Basically I'm treating it as just another day and saving a lot of money. I will be buying a present for a less fortunate child - so yay me!
Ew don't know if I'm allowed to say the 's' word -forgive me for being bitter and twisted. |
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Feng-Yi
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I bought lots cheap cost of Material from SPOTLIGHT, then using my two hands to make beauty things for Xmas Gift!
I will also cook Xmas Meal by my self. I am a good cooker, so do not need to buy Xmas Meal from take away food shop!
I am also a good Organ (YAMAHA ELECTONE) Player. Any songs I could play. So really good fun after Xmas Meal.
Without budget, I will have a good Xmas this year, hope everyone will have a good Xmas too. |
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LADY WITH AN ATTITUDE
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Look for things that have great deals and low low prices. What I do is start buying weeks before Christmas and that way I don't have a great big bill when it is comes close to the time to shop for Christmas. I also put money away during the year so that I have got enough money to but Christmas presents. I also pay off Chrisco so that way I don't have to purchase so much food. |
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Danny Dix
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With the world in such a sorry state, and greenhouse gasses building to frightening levels, I am going to reduce our family's carbon footprint this year and save heaps of money by making my kids christmas presents myself.
After all, its the thought rather than the cost of the present that counts right?
By the way....how DO you make a playstation?
. |
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Dae
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For the last several months I've been buying things here and there that I knew would make good gifts, even if I didn't know who to. A lot of times it was buying one for me and buying another because I thought it would make a great gift.
Now, I'll be going through them all and decided who to divvy them up to.
I know this may not work well for any last minute shopping, since I still have to do that, but since I had bee making all these other purchases since July, I'll have less to worry about now. |
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Susie Matwetwe
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Staying at home.
Replacing the roast with homemade kebabs.
Buying the kids chickens instead of a Nintendo DS (they are not only way cheaper, but infinitely more entertaining, and you get a 'bonus' egg or two each day!) |
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K S
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Christmas is for kids right? We make it ALL ABOUT the kids. Adults all buy a present for each child.
The adults all bring only one adult present and play "steal from your neighbor". Everyone draws a number, and the first number picks a present. They unwrap it and the next person can either steal their present or pick a new one.
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rubydazzle7
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The main thing about christmas is the family get-together enjoying a meal. That's what I'll be spending on a good dinner or lunch for all my family on christmas. Everyone has agreed no gifts this year only a good time together. Kids will prob get some lollies. Oh and some of us will be working too during christmas weekend. Also I have my wedding anniversary on 28th where is the only time I will get the love of my life a gift. He deserves it. |
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Kristina M
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I gave myself a $20.00 limit for the people I am buying for and for couples I am doing the "together" gift like glasses from Ross or Khols as they are cheaper. Christmas cards to the people that I am not going to see on Christmas, I found at Walmart they have robes for the everyone (even kids) and they are all under $20.00 I know it seems a little silly but I wanted to still give everyone something but I can not afford real big things like I have before.
My family has decided next year we are going to all save some money and go on a family trip instead. |
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natalienu
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I hate all things commercial. So I make my presents. Stuff joining the bloody rat race! |
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Quintus-Kronos
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Christmas will be cancelled in my household this year because I can't even afford a small meal, let alone buying gifts and decorations.
Paying high rent and other bills is the cause in my case. |
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foo_crazy
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Our family is doing a secret santa where one person gets a gift for someone from the whole family, excluding kids, and obviously they don't know who got it for them. As for food; simple salads and cold meats/bbq. Having a certain amount allocated eg 50 bucks, for each gift and not exceeding it. |
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John R
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I HAVE ASKED SANTA TO BRING ME $1 BILLION AND I KNOW HE HAS TO BRING IT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN GOOD AND IF HE DOESN'T THEN JESUS WILL BE MAD AT HIM AND FIRE HIM.
IF THAT DOESN'T WORK THEN I'M GOING TO WAIT BY THE CHIMNEY ALL NIGHT FOR HIM AND AS SOON AS HE DROPS DOWN MY CHIMNEY I'M GOING TO KIDNAP HIM AND ASK FOR A BIG RANSOM. |
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Selah
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Try to give more of myself and to be more loving. I was impressed when I saw this woman. It is indeed true to say, the most wonderful things in life are free.
"Let us all have a delicious meal, and enjoy being together."
I hope it happens, and I don't find myself rushing around on the 24th buying presents which nobody will like anyway. Just trying to be honest.
Merry Christmas. |
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Baz
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Spend wisely and only buy inexpensive gifts that last.
Team up with the rest of the family to have a great xmas dinner with each household providing a plate each and providing their own drinks. |
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veg_hel
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Spend less on gifts
Shop online in stores such as eBay
Shop at Aldi
Make as many goodies as possible with the use of my bread maker and ice cream machine
Eat at home with friends rather than a big night out
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Innes
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1. On line shopping so to ensure i get only what i need - instead of getting bombarded and tempted with the hype in store!
2. turning heating/gas down from 20 to 15
3. Looking for practical gifts rather than asthetically pleasing ones
4. Buying a pre-decorated plastic tree with no lights
5. Turning lights off and using the festive season as an excuse to light candles instead over the house!!
6. Sending e-cards instead of paper cards where I can
7. Only going out to those xmas parties that are esential such as family and one work do...instead of every invite.
8. Got my pooch to enjoy complete food/biscuit instead of canned meat and supplemented it with cheap peas / carrots and bulk buy chicken and rice - she loves it !
9. Dont use my car where I dont have to - saves on petrol but can get cold and uncomfortable as I have M.E but it saves money.
10. Get the shops own brand products (I know them to be tasty) and often are less than half the price of the branded goods. I use Tesco's as i dont like sainsburys or asda's own brand products.
and hey presto! you have had a cheap xmas !!!
:@)
p.s why do you not write about fuel companies exploiting the situation with 29.6% and 39.2% price increases even though the cost of source product has come down???
Or perhaps make brave suggestions such as if you cant afford children DON'T HAVE THEM because per family only one child will be funded with child benefit and after that - parent/s are on their own - no more paying for IVF because if parents cant afford IVF then how are they going to afford children - the whole thing should be private funds only - I would really love a merc SLK500 but does the NHS give me one ..does the government fund me just because i want one - NO - it doesn't - so if you want children - be able to afford them yourself!!! I bet with both of these messages strongly sent out - and policies to ensure they are successfully executed - you would see a sudden increase in condom sales !!! ... and a decrease in mothers under 20 years of age.
Stop putting a 12 month limit on permitted work for less able people as when that period is up - you are left with the choice of total benefit dependance or total work dependance - only one option if you cant work full time isnt there!! Hardly encourages the work ethic!!!!
I have many many suggestions that are not welcomed at first glance - but once you open the conversation - they usual receive alot of support - especially by responsible, working adults accross the wealth/lack of wealth spectrum!
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Christopher P
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No expensive leg ham, seafood, or turkey on the Christmas table. We are also cutting right back on the alcohol - no top shelf sparkling wine this time for example.
Gifts for the kids and grandparents only. We are not going to get involved in the expensive Xmas retail store hype this year. Our old Christmas tree, lights, and decorations will be put into service again this year.
I think most families will be like us. |
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Private P
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Going Green, donating, and selective shopping throughout the year ...
every Christmas Eve I donate blood as I have a rare blood group, and giving blood costs nothing except a bit of time; the thought of some person using my blood gives me a warm glow as at Christmas so many people get seriously injured in car crashes;
secondhand stores and Animal shelters get bags & boxes of clothing, bedding and unused items I weed out;
my favourite charities - cats and dog shelters - get a monetary donation; these places also sell their own own cards & buying those is a 'double donation';
immediate family and close friends get a present that's 'got their names written on them' which've been bought throughout the year - always on sale ... all shopping is done from my "Gifts Cupboard';
if a present needs to be wrapped, I use a pretty tea-towel, hand towel, scarf, microfibre cleaning cloth, or any useful fabric item to suit the recipient's chararcter;
usually presents are unwrapped and put into EcoBags;
this year the focus is on herbs grown in pots - I started in early November, planting mixed seedlings which were bought on sale from Bunnings or local supermarkets into cleaned-up containers I've hoarded over the years, using a top quality potting mix; with a handmade card nestled in a corner, these will look lovely & be oh-so useful;
as it's so hot at Christmastime in Brisbane, Australia, lunch is always a cold smorgasbord - sometimes seafood & salads, othertimes, ham and various salads - it's fun trying out new mixes and dressings, and leftovers are always a blessing;
decorating the house over the past few years has dwindled down to a pine wreath hung on the front screen door, and the dining room table covered in Ecobags, tied up with re-used, recycled & ironed ribbon ... to time, tempers or money wasted on Christmas trees, lights etc
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Healer (not the dog kind)
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We buy presents only to the kids, staying at home in the holidays. We are usually have great time with the family on Christmas eve, this time everybody contributes something for the dinner. I do the turkey, my daughter brings roast pork. The rest we will do it together. Already chosen entree and dessert, not smoked salmon and antipasto platter for entree, something simpler, if hot, a nice green salad with fetta and poached eggs (I have my own chickens), if not hot, some of my favorite soups. Dessert is from Better Homes and Gardens, mini pavs in serving glasses. It will be nice, and everyone will enjoy it. |
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Jillian24
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I'm putting in place a budget for each gift and unlike every other year, I'm not going over! Also I'm not buying things, just for the sake of it, I'm buying practical presents that people are actually going to use. The kids aren't getting piles and piles of presents either, they're far too spoilt as it is! |
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ben
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not buying a heap of junk like everyone else does in our society. good for the environment too. |
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natsgirlzim
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It used to be our big family tradition to go to the movies after dinner on Christmas, but with movies being $10.50 per person, plus astronomical prices for food and drink, we simply can't afford it.
This Christmas, we're getting the kids together, baking treats, and watching Cars together from our own living room. ABC Family has had an incredible line up so far this season which has saved us a ton on rental prices already, and my nephews are in love with those Pixar cars, haha. Sounds pretty basic, but it's an evening together, which is priceless, and we can actually talk during this movie :) |
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Lance
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Well i wont be travelling to India or Pakistan (that's for sure) i think i will take it easy and have a quite one up in Sunny Noosa.Dont be wowsers and please be patriotic as the Prime Minister wants us to spend it up,so have a party and give this last quarter a big boost and may growth stay positive (next year),three cheers for Kevin and cheers to you all and may you have a nice sunny Christmas. |
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