Me and my mother were talking about Christmas cards and we both were wondering how long it would be before people stopped sending cards at Christmas? The price of postage is crazy and more and more people are just sending cards through the Internet. I do however love to receive cards myself, just like I do like to read a book or magazine, rather than look at it digitally.
I am planning on sewing a couple of things to give as gifts and using up points and gift cards to buy presents for people. I ordered some gifts on the Internet today, using a promotional card I bought through Kijiji. I have scoped out other gifts and trying to buy them at the best/cheapest possible prices.
I think with a little thought we will have a decent Christmas, maybe not as many presents under the tree, but given with the same amount of love; and that's a good thing.....right?
20 comments:
Love is what really counts at Christmas. I am sure it will be lovely.
I've made a small start - list of people to buy for - but I'm trying to scale it back a little. It seems such a lot when it's all written down.
You're right: Christmas is about family, not gifts :)
I'm in the same situation, having to cut back on Christmas gift spending. I'm making all my presents this year using my fabric stash - I've been on You Tube and found tutorials for fabric Christmas trees and fabric covered baubles and folded fabric pinecones. So far I've made two trees, three pinecones and two baubles. I bought 2 hollowfibre pillows for £3.50 from a local supermarket to use for stuffing the Christmas trees. Can't afford to spend much, wonder what I'll do for next year? Hugz, Janice
Aw, I would miss Christmas cards if they stopped being sent in the post!
Wow you are prepared the closest I have come to thinking about Christmas was buying three turkeys when they were on sale they are in my freezer:)
We are doing things very cheaply here on the farm it has been a tough year and everyone will understand. I am making (hopefully) some handmade things but I just am too busy to think of Christmas. sad isn't it.
I love in Eastern Ontario a long way from you:) B
I have money saved for Christmas spending, and a budget per person, and budget lines for food, postage, etc.
That said, this may be the last year I send cards. Or in the least....the last year I send to the full list (about 50). We get very few...mostly from friends. I may cut the list in half and only send to friends, and select family.
Regardless of the cost of a stamp, I think it is important to have a little "personal" touch in our lives by sending a card. I need to take inventory of what I have and don't have for Christmas presents since I started buying after Christmas.
I have purchased only one Christmas present so far - a book my daughter wants. Other than that, I haven't thought a lot abut it yet. Better get cracking, eh?
I love sending/receiving Christmas cards but definately agree that Canadian postage especially, is quite high.
Last year we decided to start giving the older people on our list, such as my parents/in-laws the gift of time and an experience. The time we got to spend as a family, together was much more valuable than any dust collecting gift I could have gotten them...at their ages, they have everything!
And for all the young ones, we set a $ amount and stick to it. I always end up making a little something for everyone on the list and a lovely hand written (sometimes handmade) goes a long way towards sharing the spirit of Christmas. :)
I don't do Christmas cards. We don't give each other presents but I always send my Mum and Dad something.
Jane x
I'm trying not to think about Christmas yet! I still have Thanksgiving to prepare for and one kids birthday before then. I haven't sent out cards in several years. I just send out 2-3 to a couple of friends I don't contact regularly, like through email or facebook. We get so few sent to us anymore, either. I am cutting back a bit on what I spend this year too. The DH an I are just going to exchange very inexpensive gifts and I'm cutting down a bit on what I spend on my kids.
I sent my first Christmas card last week. I love it. With my diagnosis last October we were (and are) skint..so it was very scaled down and I have to say, treatment aside, it was a great Christmas according to the kids. I was mid chemo so it was pretty much a blur. This year we are scaling right down again and it will still be a perfect Christmas. My kids know it isnt all about the gifts and if you ask them what their favourite part is, they will say the dinner! It is your attitude which makes the day, not the money spent! And I'm sure you will have an amazing Christmas.
I have been thinking about Christmas...only bought a couple things for Lorelei so far. I don't even have that many to buy for...but hard to buy because everyone has what they want basically.
I love Christmas cards, too, and continue to send them. Like you, I wonder how long people will send them.
I really love my kindle...cause I get so many books free, or cheap...but boy, there are times I wish had them all to hold in my hands. I will say though, that I think it is easier on my eyes with the kindle. So, it is a toss-up for me which I like best.
I have just the B&W version...I did not want the color because I don't like reading a lot on the computer...so didn't want the lit up version.
I have started a Christmas list and have asked my family what they would like us to make for them also.(Birdhouse seem to be the big ticket item)
I also love to receive cards so I'll be sending them out again this year.
Hubby and I don't need or want anything so a nice dinner with all the trimmings will be nice along with some close company with friends.
You are right Gill it's all about the love and family.
I am fine with not giving or receiving cards, postage is way too expensive. I haven't bought a thing for Christmas, we don't spend alot and people on my list are too fussy, no nick nacks, no clothes, no this or that. I do mostly gift cards.
I get worse each year. I leave present buying right until the last week.
I love to spoil my girls but I really don't care for lots of presents myself. Just one thoughtful gift from the girls & Gus.
This year I am buying Gus a home-brew kit so he can have a go at making beer. He is so hard to buy for as he has no hobbies apart from working in our car dealership! But he does love a beer!
I am not even sure where our family Christmas lunch will be this year. None of my sisters have put up their hands and it was my turn last year so.... not my turn this year!
I guess it will soon be here before we know it and we will have another nice day - our family is quite large but fortunately we all get along really well so no squabbles etc.
Cheers - Joolz
I have often wondered the same thing Gill, I mean everyone is electronic these days! It will be such a sad day when we no longer receive cards... How about we always send each other one and we will always get at least one :)... And yes, I have started, I bought a stocking stuffer yesterday and today I'm picking up a couple more things. I will get one or two things every week. For my older kids that have left home, I'm thinking of just gift cards, to the movies... or out to eat... things like that... I think a lot of people are having to cut back, when my ex-husband lost his job and I lost my child support it was a wake up call and I literally watch every penny now, as if it were my last, so I won't go crazy this year either!
I used to send my child's school picture out with the Christmas cards every year. Now that my kid is done school, I was thinking it's a good time to stop sending cards in the mail. However, sometimes the card is my only contact with an older relative who doesn't have email, and I can't be that cold-hearted! There are also a few people I exchange handwritten letters with at year-end. So I've decided I will write handwritten letters to as many as possible on my "Christmas card" list, any time between November and January. I'm not sure how many that will be, but I'll try my best!
We send Christmas cards, but my husband's family lives out of the country, so it's a great way to stay in touch.
I typically get a larger than normal paycheck in November/December (due to maxing out deductions earlier in the year), so I use that extra amount to fund Christmas.
Our budget is $1500, which is a lot, but cut down drastically from prior years. That includes: postage, food, our contributions to parties & events, gifts for the kids, my nephews, etc. We don't buy gifts for adults in our family.
I do like your list.
We have been cutting back a little each year now for a few years after I retired, that was a good reason to start. However for a long time I think we had just got out of hand with the presents. We don't really need anything so I keep saying cut back & we'll just buy for the grandchildren. Doesn't go down too well!
The cards are a problem as the postage is astronomical. I noticed that last year we only received about half of the cards we normally get. It is nice to keep in touch with those we don't see & I usually write a letter or an update on the card. Not sure what I'm going to do but I bought lots of cards in the sale after Christmas. Think I'll have enough for the next three years!
As you say it's the love that counts not the number or the size of the presents.
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