I went through the budget for the month. After all of our bills and minimum payments on the credit cards and loans, food, gas money and additional expenses I came up with $250 for Christmas gifts or supplies to make gifts and $200 extra to put on our debt. There is a little wiggle room in a few areas but all in all I feel pretty darn good about it.
Any money I don't spend from a bucket of budgeted money I will snowflake which will go towards debt. So far I have snowflaked $7 as my gas budget for the week was $35. We filled up this morning and it was $28 (God bless $2.29 a gallon!). Since the hubs and I carpool we only have to fill up one car a week and his car occasionally as we use it on the weekends.
I have resorted to being completely domestic. My gifts this year will be mainly hand crafted or of the baked variety. On the rare occasion I need to purchase a gift I will do my best to be frugal and thoughtful at the same time.
Between knitting, sewing and baking I have gifts in mind for most family members. Check back throughout the month to see my photos of what I make. If you want to join the handcrafted revolution just click on the badge at the top right of my blog or click here.
4 comments:
We are doing the "3 gift maximum" for the kids this year, with a money limit as well. Most everyone else will be getting baskets with my homemade jarred mixes (my chocolate cake mix is to die for!), or crafty things that I make. We are also trying to kill the gift exchange with the neighbors and family friends as much as possible this year, as that tends to add up. For the friends that I absolutely have to gift with, they'll be getting a pretty glass canister filled with cookies.
I can't wait to see what you do!
I think a smaller, less expensive, less hectic holiday is happiest. The excess we Americans tend to go for doesn't really make us happier.
I love homemade gifts!
I think handcrafted gifts are a great idea! This year I'm going to blend some store-bought gifts with hand-made napkin rings (for my mom) and personalized stockings to hang over the fireplace. Can't wait to see your creations!
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