How much have you spent on Xmas?

[InterfaceLeader]

So with my finances relatively tight, and a deep unwillingness to go back into debt, this Xmas is going to be very frugal. No gifts, no turkey, and the bare minimum of decorations.

So far I've spent just £9 - on some fairy lights, a tiny tree, and some tinsel.

I have, of course, a deep happiness since this will be the first Xmas me and my spouse will spend together.

The day itself is going to be very strange without any gifts to open!

Do you consider Xmas in your budgeting? Do you go into debt, figuring it only comes once a year? Do you save up a certain amount each month just for Xmas? How do you deal with the gift expectations and rampant commercialisation?

[rachelMT]

I never budgeted in Christmas until this year...and I'm so glad I did! I started a separate savings account back in August just for holiday spending, and by the time December rolled around, I had about $800. So far I've spent over half of it, and I'm hoping to have a little left to put in my ING savings account come January.

[openeyes]

I don't generally do presents, aside from maybe a nice bar of chocolate. The most I'm apt to spend is ~$20 on gas to visit friends around Asheville.

[Chris Cade]

I stopped celebrating Christmas, birthdays, holidays, etc a few years ago. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made for peace of mind.

Now, instead of giving gifts because it's an arbitrarily agreed upon socially acceptable day - I give gifts when I find something I feel truly compelled to give somebody.

Yes, I give fewer gifts. But I also give more meaningful gifts because I'm usually not "trying" to find the "perfect" gift, but rather, discovering them and then sharing them as I find them.

It's really nice not stressing about going to the mall or if something will be shipped in time. No worries about wrapping paper, etc.

My parents and siblings still celebrate holidays, so I usually spend at least one holiday per year with them - not for the holiday sake, but because everybody is in one place at the same time and it's nice to see them.

[tstesen]

I've spent about $600 to date. This includes gifts only. I also bought a tree and a honey ham. I did not save up for Christmas, I simply used money I was expecting from a client (I'm self employed). Although next year I think I might go the savings route as that seems to make a lot more sense. With the economy and job loss as it is right now everyone I know is scaling back on the holidays and rightfully so.

[tstesen]

Originally Posted by Chris Cade

Now, instead of giving gifts because it's an arbitrarily agreed upon socially acceptable day - I give gifts when I find something I feel truly compelled to give somebody.

This is a really powerful statement. I totally agree. Sometimes I receive gifts where I get the feeling the person just bought me something - ANYTHING - just to cross me off their list. The thoughtful gifts are the ones that really stand out in my mind and are treasured for years to come.

[sbdiane]

The last couple of years I have made donations to Heifer International instead of gifts. The first time I did that my mother cried she was so touched. I didn't expect that.

This year, being out of a job and not earning enough for my rent, let alone anything above that, I told everyone I wasn't doing X-mas and I did not want anything given to me. If people absolutely must give a gift, I told them food or wine is best.