General Discussion

Nictuku

(4,668 posts)

56. We can't afford a tree, probably not much for a meal either.

Reply to redstatebluegirl (Original post)

Tue Nov 5, 2013, 06:43 PM

Nov 2013

.... presents? that is history. It is hand-to-mouth these days, with nothing extra.

Fortunately, I don't have kids. Last year I gave an old mini-laptop (reinstalled the OS) for my young nephew. (he probably wishes it was an iPad, oh well. Not in my budget)

Not sure what I can come up with this year, but I'll figure out something.

We do have a roof, food in the fridge, electric bills paid, a decent job, so lots to be thankful for.

It is just very very tight these days, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

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Highlight:

How many of you are NOT buying much if any this Christmas? [View all] redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 OP

no xmas posts till after Thanksgiving snooper2 Nov 2013 #1

Okay redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 #5

Hey, JimboBillyBubbaBob Nov 2013 #2

Our only granddaughter turns "1" next week... KansDem Nov 2013 #3

I'm in exactly the same boat. pnwmom Nov 2013 #47

I should have said "only grandchild" KansDem Nov 2013 #72

Why? The 1year old won't care if you don't. 1-Old-Man Nov 2013 #68

You have a point... KansDem Nov 2013 #73

Nope, not alone. yesphan Nov 2013 #4

My beef is when Awknid Nov 2013 #9

You are not alone fredamae Nov 2013 #6

I'm not frazzled Nov 2013 #7

I don't usually post commercials, but Chrismahanukwanzakah comes only once a year hatrack Nov 2013 #62

Very cool! I don't remember ever seeing that commercial /nt frazzled Nov 2013 #66

The animated version was better - a multi-armed Santa playing the sitar sitting on a mushroom hatrack Nov 2013 #67

We have pretty much stopped doing Christmas gifts. mnhtnbb Nov 2013 #8

I love your pic of Molly! I miss her so much! redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 #10

Aye. It just benefits the corporations anyway. nt bemildred Nov 2013 #11

me to MFM008 Nov 2013 #12

I buy for my niece and nephews Xyzse Nov 2013 #13

Probably not .... Myrina Nov 2013 #14

I was just getting ready to post this thread myself: clydefrand Nov 2013 #15

If that's the game your family plays...YUCK! cynatnite Nov 2013 #16

We haven't since 2001 csziggy Nov 2013 #17

I haven't purchased much in years MissMillie Nov 2013 #18

Haven't done the Christmas present stuff in more than a decade. sinkingfeeling Nov 2013 #19

I stopped doing all holidays and birthdays in the early 1990s lunatica Nov 2013 #20

How did your family react? redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 #22

They all thought for a minute and said "OK" lunatica Nov 2013 #24

I do not buy anything for Christmas.... chillfactor Nov 2013 #21

I did my shopping last January Bombero1956 Nov 2013 #23

Not buying this year, or any other year :) Holly_Hobby Nov 2013 #25

Me. NoOneMan Nov 2013 #26

I haven't done Christmas in about 15 years. MadrasT Nov 2013 #27

I've already done most of my Christmas shopping. SheilaT Nov 2013 #28

I have 2 grown kids wendylaroux Nov 2013 #29

This year has been kind of an expensive year. woodsprite Nov 2013 #30

I just want to say, for those who do shop for the holidays, Arugula Latte Nov 2013 #31

I don't do xmas at all. 2naSalit Nov 2013 #32

What we buy, and our budget has always been very small, nadinbrzezinski Nov 2013 #33

As Festive As RobinA Nov 2013 #34

I love the holidays and was kinda disappointed when hubby's family went to woodsprite Nov 2013 #42

Going to be thin this year. GreenPartyVoter Nov 2013 #35

My group of friends does a gift exchange where we buy one gift of about $20 and theres a game that Erose999 Nov 2013 #36

"Dirty bingo" is fun when used in lieu of a plain "white elephant" woodsprite Nov 2013 #43

Haven't bought gifts in years PasadenaTrudy Nov 2013 #37

I spend very little on Christmas every year. Rex Nov 2013 #38

My wife's side of the family is decidedly 'home/handmade' this year... Earth_First Nov 2013 #39

You are not alone... dixiegrrrrl Nov 2013 #40

I love Christmas Tree-Hugger Nov 2013 #41

Another idea for a handmade gift -- treasure boxes! woodsprite Nov 2013 #46

I never know what to get for family. Denninmi Nov 2013 #44

I don't know HOW we are gonna do C-mas ... FirstLight Nov 2013 #45

Giving gift card to grocery stores ChazII Nov 2013 #48

I like this idea! redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 #49

Self preservation is the key :) ChazII Nov 2013 #51

We have three dogs a pet coupon would be wonderful! redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 #52

I'll buy one package, but that goes to my girlfriend sakabatou Nov 2013 #50

I'm only buying one major gift this year LittleBlue Nov 2013 #53

Self preservation is key! redstatebluegirl Nov 2013 #54

Checks for my grandchildren...That's it. Paper Roses Nov 2013 #55

We can't afford a tree, probably not much for a meal either. Nictuku Nov 2013 #56

Thrifty. madamesilverspurs Nov 2013 #57

I give my niece and nephew 'money' cards Siwsan Nov 2013 #58

Don't BUY gifts, I build them. oneshooter Nov 2013 #59

I don't celebrate the religious aspect of Christmas NastyRiffraff Nov 2013 #60

No, but then we never do . . . a few presents for nieces, Christmas dinner . .. . hatrack Nov 2013 #61

Since our boys have been grown ups, we quit the gift thing SoCalDem Nov 2013 #63

Homemade personalized calendars for my extended family. LanternWaste Nov 2013 #64

I'll be buying about the same goldent Nov 2013 #65

I plan on doing our usual FreeJoe Nov 2013 #69

I have 7 grandkids and I am glad I have a credit card I can use Grateful for Hope Nov 2013 #70

I've really enjoyed reading this thread IrishAyes Nov 2013 #71