Budget Santa Part II

on November 23, 2008 at 9:31 AM

Earlier this week, I brought up the not-so-fun topic of bracing your kids for getting fewer presents this holiday if your finances are stretched. I loved the comment from imasurvivor, who added a bunch of her own ideas for a present-filled Christmas on less money. She even turned her more presents with less money tips into a Journal.

Here's a quick peek at some of her tips before you jump to her post:

"Kids (and apparently husbands, too) can easily forget what they already have, so I re-gift the 'missing bulk' for under the tree with what's already lying around the house or what I've saved up through out the year!

"A tucked away unopened/unused birthday present, a book or toy they've had but never really noticed b4, a shirt, pants, socks, dress ... whatever they may NEED & that they've never worn before or knew even existed."

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: clothes, gear, toys

Comments (5)

jns131

on Nov 23, 2008 at 2:19 PM

I remember being, I think 5 or 6 and coming down the stairs to see a load of toys, all wrapped nice and pretty. Now that I am mom? I am realizing that our only child does not need this many toys and this year? We are going lean. We have told her she can have her own television, need Dish to come in and hook us up, but still, the price is better then if we bought her all this stuff. So, yes, I agree, trim it down so they aren't all that disappointed. Besides the economy the way it is now? Scares me. Even our budget is screaming. Good luck budget santa.

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Junecleo

on Nov 24, 2008 at 1:25 AM

Toddlers can't remember how much they got last year. Wrap up some things that they need anyway...bubble bath type stuff, a new toothbrush, toothpaste, a favorite food item like a can of madarin oranges..l half the fun is in the un-wrapping. 2 days later they don't remember what they got, anyway.

Our baby is getting old toys that we've had stored...our 5 year old won't remember them, he'll think the baby got something from Santa, and it won't cost us a penny. Our 4 month old sure won't know the difference! I've been watching Ebay and used book stores for books from a series that our 11 year old loves...he'll be getting a lot of books, individually wrapped, and none of them cost me more than 2.00 each! Sometimes I put things in bigger or odd shaped packages to make the unwrapping part more fun.

My sister and mom are getting plants that I've started off my own houseplants. My sister is getting a baby of one that used to belong to our grandmother. I'll put them in containers I already have. My best friend and my cousin are both getting gently used copies of the book "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" because we all love the musical "CATS", based on this book. Very cheap, but something they'll enjoy.

I'd love to hear other moms' ideas for cheap or free, but meaningful, Christmas gifts!

rueb

on Nov 28, 2008 at 4:54 AM

I get toys and clothing from stores like Gooodwill, salvation army. The $ also helps people with disabilitys get job training for goodwill. And salvation army helps the homeless and the comunity.Sometimes you can find new items for way less! Working parttime you have to strech a dollar. Also you can do pollianna"s for family gathering too. Each person picks a name out of a basket and buys something for that person. As the family grows this is much easier.

Leslienae

on Dec 2, 2008 at 4:29 PM

I have a nephew who would love to get bubble bath and a toothbrush for Christmas. I laughed when he told me this because I have never had a child tell me that. He would also like a happy meal which just goes to show how easy it is to please small children without having to spend a ton of money.

imasurvivor

on Dec 9, 2008 at 11:18 PM

It's so true what Leslienae said in her last line...re: "which just goes to show how easy it is to please small children without having to spend a ton of money."

Kids relate best to what they know...so why not gift them with the less expensive little something(s)?!!

Not only will they understand its purpose(s) & how it applies into their daily lives, but I'm sure will be well appreciate too!

Happy Holidays All! ...xoxoxo's