I know, I know. I had gobs of money set aside for presents, and then we bought the mixer (which we love btw). After that, our budget got extremely tight, and in order to pay rent and other bills, both the Emergency fund and the Christmas Fund got depleted.
Sigh.
I know that one day we will get better at this. At least we had those funds in the bank to meet our financial obligations thus far.I've spent a lot of time beating myself up over it, even though I know I shouldn't.
Now for the plan.
The little guy doesn't know the difference if we going into thousands of dollars of debt on crap, or if we just buy a few simple things. Our budgeted amount for him is about $100 total for 2 books, socks & undies, a few toys and 1 big thing from Santa.
The girl...well...she's got some
We have $50 in gift cards to buy the grandcub something or 3. I'd like to get him a truck. Big plastic yellow dump truck or something similar.
We're getting one gift for the older daughter, and then a combo gift for her and the baby daddy (I feel weird calling him her boyfriend). Total budget: $75
As for me and hubby, we are forgoing our gifts to one another in exchange for assisting the kidlets with buying gifts. I will help them buy his gift/s ($150 total) and he will help them buy my gift/s ($150 total).
We are only doing stockings for the kids and not for each other. Must keep costs down somehow.
However, I have extra shopping to do because the day after Christmas is my darling hubby's birthday. Yep, he's a Boxing Day Birthday Boy. LOL!
I still have no idea what to buy him for his birthday either. :(
I'm sure I'll figure something out.
This Christmas will not be as big or as bountiful as Christmases past, but we will live through it. I worry that our kids will be disappointed in what they do get, but I know I shouldn't. They usually love whatever we pick out for them. And besides, spending time with family and friends is most important, isn't it?
I don't know....sounds pretty bountiful to me!
ReplyDeleteWe are spending about $125 per kid, including Santa. And that has been the plan all along. And they are 9.
Don't beat yourself up. It is over.
I'm sure your kids will be grateful! It can be so hard to live up to our own expectations of ourselves. I'm sure it'll all work out.. Don't feel bad! ((hugs))
ReplyDeletethe Christmas budget sounds goood, I used to get my kids one main present that I knew they really wanted and then a lot of less expensive presents (aka cheap!) to bulk it out.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel. Your love for your children is BIG and somehow we've made Christmas the time to show how much we love them. This is the first year I really scaled back. I feel okay about it. They are older, and they know what things cost.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby and I are not exchanging either. We will plan a night out. So much better than more stuff in the house.
As long as you have your loved ones around you in a warm house with good food...it'll be a WONDERFUL holiday!!
We are having a leaner Christmas too. I think we all worry that we're not giving our kids enough, but we probably are giving them more than enough.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing you can give them are happy memories. All the rest is just gravy.
Yes, spending time together is what it's all about. Last Christmas Michael, Kazi and I had gifts for each other. Then we went to my brother's place in the afternoon where THEY opened gifts but we had none because I asked them not to buy for us and in return I was making a donation to charity on their behalf. It seemed a little strange watching the gift exchange as opposed to sharing in it but I didn't feel that I missed out on anything. I have too much stuff as it is. For me it's about getting together.
ReplyDelete