Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how they are getting ready for Christmas 2007. I am almost ashamed to say it but by the time all the gifts were bought, food, entertaining etc. etc., we spent approx. $4000. on Christmas related expenses. The lucky thing is we are able to pay for it and already have, but I cringe at the final talley.

One thing I am going to do for next year is make it as "free" as possible. For example, I collect points on my Canadian Tire credit card by using it for every purchase. Whether it is gas, food, clothing or even a couple of dollars at a store it all goes on the card. Anyhow, I drained the extra points today on a purchase and I am going to start saving all of them for next year.

I also collect Air Miles which are good for gift certificates to certain stores. I am going to be dilegent about collecting them and also save to redeem next year.

Anyone have any other ideas? Anything at all that will make next year seem "free".

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This was the first Christmas that we didnt use credit cards and just paid for everything. We were really feeling it towards the end of December, however I feel really good knowing everything is actually 'paid for'. We spent about 2,000 on Christmas, which was way too much.

The plan I have is to shop starting in September, and not go all out. It isnt what you give, its the thought and the time and being with eachother. Which I totally fogot in some ways this year.

I am setting a limit next year so I am just going to be smarter. I am also putting aside 20 dollars a week.

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“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

I look for good deals throughout the year and hide presents. I also have a Christmas Club account at the bank and try and put in what cash I can ( money I get from selling stuff on consignment, money from rebates, money from returning pop cans)

I have a friend who turns in receipts/ insurance explanation of benefits into her Health Care spending account at work towards the end of the year--she had $800 dollars last Nov.

Our tally came out to $580 (paid for in cash!) for Christmas this year- and I want to cut back more! I usually start shopping for Christmas after Christmas is done- I try to get a few stocking stuffers, cheaper winter clothes, hats mitten anything I can break up from packages that would survive a years time. This year I am keeping track of who I have to buy for and putting all the presents in a box so they are not scattered throughout the house! I started making a list of everything (and the total $) for each person I bought for. I am buying gift cards throughout the year so I will have extra cash on hand if I find the perfect gift at the right price for someone!

Our credit union has a Christmas club, I'm thinking about opening an acct and putting in $10 per week. That'll help by the end of the year.

I have already started shopping for next year and have decided that the points we redeem for gift cards will be used to buy for Birthdays and Christmas this coming year.

I have kept a runing list for the past few years and that has really helped me stay on budget and keep track of what I have bought for everybody.

Happy shopping!! My goal is to be finished by Thanksgiving!

I was very proud that my kids were well taken care of and we used CASH for all of it! Tallied up, I only spent about $100 on each kid so I did good! They each got what they wanted to it was good. This year, I plan on saving all year long. I'm going to take $20 from each paycheck, and $40 from dh's and put it in a savings acct each month. By the end of the year, I should have over $1000 saved up. Thats not all for Christmas though, but its a start of something we need to do anyhow!

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan8.Samantha7,Cameron4

This year we are shopping all year long. It is the thought that counts. My family has said that they would like to do a second hand christmas this coming year. I was floored. We as a family is going to work on our debt this year. My two sisters wanted to support me in my debt diet .So they said they wanted to try to. I Don't know what to think. Maybe I'm rubbing off

Shop early - I start in about May, shop the after Thanksgiving / Chrismas (last yrs prior) sales. Im already done shopping for Christmas / birthdays for some time now. I bought for about 7 people and I only have to shop for 9 (4 kids, 5 adults - out of those 5, 2 are couples) Definately save a bunch on shopping for gifts this yr. All is paid for, I rarely use credit cards. Total spent on Christmas sales is $95 for alot of gifts! (but saved about $150 by shopping the sales)
I take inventory on what I bought and who its for on a word doc.

Christmas is an easy time of yr for me.

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www.myspace.com/sassy143


Alex & the spider monkey

I save every week towards Christmas. I just move money every week from my regular every day account to my 'saving for Christmas' account. I started doing this back when I got out of college. I still do it today and it works out really well for me.