Yes! I can afford Christmas thankfully but I’m still trying to find ways to shift the focus of Christmas away from gifts to something more meaningful. I genuinely want to give my daughter one maybe two gifts for Christmas and make the rest about community service or giving back or something along those lines. F**k consumerism, there’s so much more to life than that!
Banks literally offer an account called ‘Christmas Club’. At least my credit union does. Been doing this for years. I automatically fund it every paycheck and by around this time every year, I have about $1500 saved. I get some coffee shop gift cards for my kids’ school bus drivers and teachers because, thank you taking care of my kids 😊. A couple of gifts for my niece and nephew, and the rest I spend on my 2 kids. I now mostly do experiences as gifts. Like tickets to a basketball game for my son, concert tickets for my daughter. The rest? I treat myself to a relaxing facial or spa 😊
@ These are the people who spend more time with our kids outside of home. So, I’m truly grateful 😊. Teachers don’t get paid nearly enough to deal with kids’ shenanigans. We also can’t forget ourselves 😊
As my kids get older, we started to gift experiences and memories. Our family is a gift in itself, so spending time with our loved ones is precious because tomorrow is never guaranteed. My kids know the most important thing is family and know christmas is not about presents. My daughters birthday is 3 days before Christmas, and the only thing she asks for is eating her grandma's chop suey with her family. I am truly grateful. My children understand it's not about what you have it's about who you have.
I like to buy presents for my friends. I pick up things throughout the year as I see them rather than running out like a maniac looking for overpriced crap. Small tokens are the best!
Same! I start shopping in January and pick things up throughout the year. Our Christmas budget has been the same for 30 years. Can we afford more now, yes. Is it necessary? Absolutely not. I had to replace a lot of my Christmas lights and garlands last year, after Christmas. My decor lasted ages but the time had come to replace them. Who buys a new tree every year? (We’re allergic to the live trees. Had to have that confirmed with the Allergist, never knew it was a thing.)
People have always told me I'm great at giving gifts and really all I do is have a folder for each person in my browser and save ideas when I come across them all throughout the year. Super easy!
I love to crochet, (unfortunately comes with yarn hoarding 🤣) if anyone else here does too, just remember that if you gift something to someone that you made and put love into but they don't love it as much as you do, that's ok it's not because of you personally. It definitely stings, when they don't appreciate it, but a lot of handmade fabric arts are really not valued/under appreciated by a lot of people because they don't know how much time,effort, and skill is put into it unless they share the same interest/hobby. They also most likely do not know how to wash/care for the piece you made them too. But even so, if you care for them just giving them a gift you made with love instead of cheap plastic from a store is always the better option in my opinion. ❤️
I agree completely. But I do see the love that was put into it. I want those homemade handmade gifts. They are so precious to me. One of my friends, when I was a freshman in high school, she made me this beautiful ornament... 20 years ago. And I have it proudly displayed. Even though we lost contact, I see it every day, and I think of all the great times we had together. My children make me some amazing things, and I want those not fancy gifts. Each stroke of paint and each bead mean so much to me. They took their time, picked those colors, and thought of me. It's truly beautiful.
I think it's not that people don't appreciate the time and skill it takes, it's just that most don't want to do extra to properly care and clean the items and it's easy to get overwhelmed with crocheted items, especially if you have more than 2 or 3 relatives/friends making you blankets, throws, etc... every year. A huge reason why I specifically ask family/friends to not give me any gifts is because there was a year where I had 14 crocheted blankets and no room but felt guilty about donating most of them even though I literally had no space for them. I'd recommend asking people if they would like a crocheted/handmade Item (particularly if it's large) and also include care instructions.
I just spent 1500 on Christmas gifts for my kids an hour ago. I paid in cash that I have been saving all year. I only buy them gifts twice a year. Some years we spend 50 dollars a kid. This year is an up year, so they're lucking out for this year lol! But at the end of the day they are grateful for anything and I think that's the point. Oh and my kids are the only ones getting gifts from me lol
Are they younger than 18? Cause mine are 18 and up we are decorating with each other and we are going to make homemade cookies and pies and cakes for christmas that’s our holiday
In my country this is the standard, only kids get gifts and only from their parents. After around 12 you don’t receive gifts tho sometimes my parents would give us a little something but is not expected.
I stopped celebrating holidays including Christmas when I draw more closer to God. That was back in 2021. It’s the best feeling when you don’t have to stress about buying presents for your loved ones. God is what matters and that’s it. 💯🙏🏽💖
This is the only year I’ve honestly felt good about budgeting especially during the holidays. A nice heartfelt gift, even handmade, is much more appreciated and cherished anyway.
I'm happy just having everyone drive around together to see the christmas light. And a stop to get some mcnuggets for a treat. That's a good enough christmas to me. After an early dinner with everyone at home.
We decided to not travel for Thanksgiving and I will cook our meal at home, and to not buy gifts for Christmas. The kids are understandably upset, but paying the upcoming property taxes is far more important. 😫
One thing I do for my nieces and nephews is their Christmas gift is an "experience" or "activity". For example, I helped pay for one of my nephew's soccer uniforms, paid for my two nieces to attend a one-week summer horse camp (and got a huge discount for paying early), and bought another nephew an electeonic piano keyboard with a headset plugin so he can practice whenever and wherever. On Christmas Eve and Day, I make pies and do arts and crafts with them. Obviously, this is more expensive than buying a $5 toy, but if your finances are solid and you can spare a little extra, it makes more of an impact and memory in the long run.
I like getting Christmas presents for my immediate family, so I buy Christmas presents all year round. This means I can budget accordingly and I’m not buying hundreds of dollars worth of presents in one month. It also helps that my presents are not usually very expensive because my dad usually gets a book that he likes, my mom usually gets one little thing off her list, and my sister and I will buy little bobbles that we think the other might find amusing, though we’ve started to also forgo buying actual items and have started getting each other tickets to events to go to together, or planning camping trips for each other.
This! I start saving as soon as the month end in “ember “ then depending on how much a saved I divide that between the people I’m buying for and base the gifts off the budget . I wouldn’t say it’s cuz “consumerism “ I just like buying a one time a year gift for someone who needs something or really wants something but they won’t get it themself. Good to treat people when you can!
My kids and I make decorations every year. We use a lot of nature stuff like pinecones and fall leaves(and they are free!!) 😂 the super perishable things like paper garlands get thrown out but everything else gets stored and we get to remember the fun times every year when we take them out to decorate. ❤
My motto is : Save and pay in full. Don't buy now, pay later. I don't do debts, been debt free my whole life. But I plan on getting a mortgage next year and I am actually exited. Owning my own home is a dream that should soon come true. I was raised in Belgium where there isn't really a credit score like in the UK and the USA. We are not encouraged to buy on credit. For a long time, my family had one credit card for the whole family, 2 parents and 3 adult daughters, 4 householda. And whatever was bought on this card would have to be paid entirely the 1st of next month. Never knew what a minimum repayments were until I moved to Scotland. We also don't have student loans in Belgium because education is affordable and lower incomes can get help. I am fortunate and I encourage my friends with credit card debts to change their mindset.
I save up a little bit of money from every check and put it in a savings account. By the end of the year, I have at least $500 or so to spend on Christmas. I've been doing this for years, I'm surprised that not more people do this!? Its not like its a surprise, Chrismas comes evey year, on the exact same day, none the less. 😂
People make bad financial decisions and then they are here saying they are not buying gifts for their kids. I mean wtf? You can’t plan ahead and spend 20 bucks for your kid when you know this is what they have been waiting for and they will forever be hurt if you don’t? I really don’t understand these women here
Oop, my parents are going through this. They're only buying us pyjamas, slippers and one personal item. The rest is going to making our house well-decorated bc that's something we adore doing as a family and it's our fave part of Christmas.
I work in a toy store and it's always mind blowing to me how much parents spent on toys. For example a 400€+ (~420$+) Harry Potter Lego Castle for a 10 year old.
Hey! I found your channel last Saturday and I’ve been binge watching your videos between work all week!😅🥰 Thank you for posting about this, Christmas is so expensive ❤
I will go into a SMALL amount of debt for Christmas. I only spend as much as I can pay off by the end of January. I have a small child though, and it just makes me so happy to see all the gifts around the tree, so even though the gifts are for them, they’re also for me because it brings me joy.
I'm broke but I'm not in debt cause I pay my bills first. I don't believe in credit cards but I do have one strictly for emergencies that only has a $500 limit. As for Christmas, everyone is getting a box of home made goodies cause I can make large batches for cheap and there's enough to go around.
I don't have debt and also don't use credit cards (although people tell me I should so I can build credit). I am not a big spender (except for my lip gloss addiction, but I don't spend over $10 on lip products). My family doesn't celebrate Christmas but not for religious reasons, we just don't. This year I am going to buy one gift for everyone in my family. Especially for my beautiful mom ❤❤
I use credit cards for all my bills, pay my balance monthly…collect rewards, no interest…came in handy buying plane tickets this past summer and still had rewards leftover. If you’re responsible (as you seem) there are great advantages.
Christmas is about Jesus! Buying nice gifts for people to enjoy while getting crap from them...Priceless and lesson learned... Not doing it again is...PEACE to ALL.
My Xmas tree is over 50 yrs old. Its a "bottle brush tree" and it's beautiful. Before I got that tree from a yard sale I bought a tree from Target. Guess what it lasted 2 years before it started to fall apart. Every year we make an ornament with our toddler to add to the tree. Truly scaling back on Xmas even with the gifts 2 yes ago has been the best thing I've done.
For most of my adult years, I have always asked for paper products for Christmas. Paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, Dawn dish washing detergent if you are feeling froggy. Useful consumables.
I get my holiday decor from the thrift store, hand me downs, or even homemade stuff people made as christmas gifts for me. i'll put them in a storage bin and use it the following year, including the tree.
I only bake for friends and family on the 'Haulidaze'. We all bake, or make and share. It's so much less stress! 💜 Wouldn't you know it, an ad for shopping just popped up. 🤦🏻♀️
I’m 65 and retired. My husband is 63 and still working. I really don’t need/want anything! He’s the only person I buy for but it’s something small and I use cash.
Yeah, this is my first Christmas where I’m really aware of my financial situation. My Mom would always make sure we had presents no matter our financial situation. But this year I got serious about budgeting and I’m aware of her sacrifices. So we made the decision not to buy presents this year and to just spend Christmas in each other’s company. It feels foreign and unnatural to not buy anything for Christmas. We’ve always done the family Christmas pjs (5&below) as a present but we’re not even doing that. It just feels weird. But it’s the responsible thing, plus I get to spend the holiday with my Mom. ❤
Exactly! I don’t even celebrate the holidays anymore but why the heck do I have to show love and buying gifts when the holidays especially Christmas comes around? This could happen on any other day. 🤣💯
I was born in late December after Christmas. So yeah, I can testify to either being completely forgotten as a kid or the combo Christmas/Birthday gift.
I have never understood the kid's Christmas list. My parents never told me to write a list of presents that I wanted from Santa. They told me to write a letter to Santa telling him that I was a good girl, and then asking for ONE single toy. Of course they were buying me toys in other occasions, but on Christmas I had one toy, and it was a great and special feeling for me. I can't imagine specifically how much are today's parents spending if they have to buy multiple toys for they kids!
I think it's meant to be more as something that gives parents a variety, or at least an idea of what kids want? That's at least how mine treated it. I never got everything on the list, usually one or two things or something that was as close to the item as my parents could get. I've definitely noticed this new trend lately (lately as in last ten years or so) where parents feel like they have to one-up each other especially when it comes to festivities and holiday seasons. So then they started buying everything on the list and extra to get their kids to love them, and show off 'look what I can do.' (like dudley and his birthday from the Haryy Potter series) Other parents see it and get scared that they aren't providing enough for their kids and try to emulate it and before you know it, it's a domino effect.
Christmas Is About Christ, Jesus Christ. Spend time with your Family enjoy Good Food together Do A potluck if you can't afford the entire meal, do games around The Story of The Nativity and do gift baskets for the winner it's so much fun. Much better than Stressing on gifts and Santa Clause, Elves ect.. Teach your Family About what Christmas is Really about Not the Worldly Santa Clause Holiday and a bunch of presents. May God Bless you and Keep you xoxo Love yall Buuuuuut Jesus Loves You Most Xoxo 🕊🙌🤍✝️🥰🫶🙏📖
I usually spend quite a bit ( cash) because i like giving. I gift my kids teachers,Bus driver, Ups driver, employees, plus some. I go overboard but Im thankful I'm able to do that because i set a budget plan for Christmas starting from the beginning of Jan til Dec.20 & will do a rollover if i don't spend it all. I also have my kids make their lists in july so i can slowly buy their gifts. But they shocked me this year...for Halloween they didn't want to dress up instead they wanted to go watch a movie at the theater and eat out which was cheaper btw & requested to do the same for Christmas...
We bought our first Christmas tree in 2020...it was a medium-sized plastic Christmas tree that we pull out every year for Christmas since then. We even have the same ornaments from back then. They are all either porcelain or plastic built to last you a lifetime if you are careful. This year there are no gifts, just hand made stuff everyone will give out since we are in a silent recession. I do not see any reason to spend money on new things every year unless you are giving out things that are necessary and meant to last.
Im only buying for the kids my 2 and my nephew and niece and parents. I do a mix of second hand and new. Also start early beginning of October i start buying i also am not doing lots of toys I'm trying to keep toys under control so only things I know they for sure like or will play with then it's things they need
Gift giving was just never a big thing in my family like this, and I find it so strange that some ppl really consider going into debt to buy Christmas gifts. I didn't realize anyone was really doing that or considering it. Don't do it, I agree!
My step family is very materialistic about christmas. There's a lot of us kids (6 total--half are adults half are still minors) and for the last five years we've had this fun tradition of Secret Santa where we are each other's secret santa. We give a list of three things and it has to stay under the $25-30 budget. Problem is, my step siblings grew up middle class and have no concept of staying under budgets. In the past years whenever I got one of them instead of my own brother (who knows how to stay under budget like me), I could easily forgive it. This year however, when it came time to draw, I just told them to got ahead and cut me out from it and maybe I could rejoin the next year. Like I love them to death, but this year I just do not have the ability to bounce back financially like I had in past years. I'm just going to make like chocolate pinecones or something and bring that as a gift to everyone. Might not last as long, but it's edible, tasty, and I can afford it.
My husband and I start our Christmas shopping early, do a little at a time, and that way it's not a huge ticket to pay come December. Also, we don't get a big fancy gift for anyone but our child, one nice gift and some small ones. And even that is on a budget. Also, we don't give everyone we know gifts. We give to parents, grandparents, our son, and each other. Small, meaningful, or homemade gifts are best. Christmas is about love and family and being together. Not the almighty dollar. I have never gone into debt for Christmas, and I never will. I will skip gifts before we do that.
We just told everyone back in October that it’s a no gift year. We don’t want gifts and we won’t be giving gifts lol we’re going to focus on just having dinners and such together. There are no little kids in the immediate family this year either so it’s easy.
Girlll you always delivered with your videos. Definitely agree with all points made in this video. This whole holiday shopping madness drives me crazy and financially is burden to many people. Last year we did secret Santa in my family because buying 10 plus gifts for each person is incredibly costly 😱
I just picked up some angel tree lists, and most of them ask for socks and shoes. Heartbreaking. As it is, Im blessed to be able to provide holiday meals for my family and small gifts, stockings with treats. If I can afford that, I can definitely afford some toys and clothes for angel tree.
Our family is not doing gifts this year and my daughter knows she's not getting a ton of stuff this year. I did tell her id take her out for a nice seafood dinner though 🥰
We do white elephant every year but we use old gifts or items and we don’t really buy anything new most of the time for white elephant. It’s a lot of fun when the gifts are so random 😅
Omg yes, we do white elephant, and it's so fun. Last year, I got a birdcage with a ceramic bird in it. This year gifting it back, but it's been painted, and I glued a fake cigar in its mouth.
4:23 my birthday is february 2nd. i always got christmas gifts and never birthday gifts. this is also due to february being in the school year, so 9 times outta 10, i'm spending my birthday in a musty classroom with badass kids... at least we were allowed to take cupcakes to school on our birthdays.
I spend a lot of money at Christmas but that is what I want to do BUT I buy all through the year and put them away til Christmas so I can pay cash. I don’t like to pressured at the last minute trying to buy for everyone because it increases my anxiety. If I can’t pay cash I will not buy it.
As much as id like to over do christmas this year, all the stuff i bought the kids is gone already or was donated early into spring. Then work cut hours after the holidays ( which was expected) but the stress made me sick, so this year they get to pick out a new pair of shoes for 50 and thats it.
I only get presents for my kids, I save the money back each year but even if I didn’t have that I’d find a way. Unless we are homeless, I will always find a way to get my kids Christmas presents. I only have two kids, so it’s really not that expensive.
I place a limit of $30 max per person on gifts and only give to my nieces and nephews. If your kid or kids are getting a gift you aren't. That's my motto.
Xmas is about consumerism. Some people don't have good xmas memories. I don't really celebrate. After my parents got rid of the tree and after I moved out there is no xmas. I have one mercery tree that I forget to take out every year. I have holiday shirts I wear to work just for a change of clothes. But I do Winter Solstice. But look forward to getting things I waited for to go on 'black Friday' sales. And I can get a cheap turkey I can cut and freeze for the rest of the year. Watching people lose their minds over a toy one year was enough. But yea, if you are going broke for this holiday you should re-evaluate things. I don't get gifts or give them. and when I do get something it's not useful to me. So I don't want to give clutter to others either.
I do plan to go into debt (buy now, pay later) and I dont feel particularly bad about it because its a gift for our whole family. That being said, I know what I'm going, I'm an adult, and i won't complain 😅 Edit: okah these tiktoks are making me feel bad. Guess I'll think again 😮💨 being broke really bums me out 😞
The word trend is so high school. As an adult, only trend I care about are: 1. How much less my money is worth 2. How much that wacky number in my checking grows or shrinks every month. I personally think these are the only ways that word should pertain to finances as an adult. Happiness shouldn’t have a price and capitalism sure as fuck makes sure it does.
Over-consumerism......well I know that since the beginning of human history, when human would get together and something had to be done. The bush kill is cooked around the fire and humans used to sing and dance around it and then eat . Now, everything has to be bought; gifts, food, music and alcohol as the only way to actually celebrate each other and enjoy that quality time.
I spent around $30 a couple years ago on a mug it was American Union made, but I use it almost everyday and you can feel the difference between it and a mug that comes from China.
As soon as I was eighteen, I decided I didn't want any more gifts for christmas or my birthday. For me, it counts to have a nice evening with my loved ones and that is.
I remember I felt so bad because I didn’t get my kids anything for christmas but I couldn’t afford it plus they are all grown now they are not kids anymore so I had to keep telling myself that smh 🤦🏾♀️ I was told I don’t love them anymore blah blah blah lol but they got over it and now they said mom were too old for presents lol lol gooooooo figure lmao 😂😂
That’s why you plan ahead . There are piggy banks for a reason. 25 bucks per month for a year will save you 300. Cut down on some Starbucks and stupid beauty products and routines and you can do it.
My "favorite" is when I worked retail doing engraving, so christmas was always so busy. Every year there was always atleast one person who would come in on the 23rd or 24th and get upset when I'd tell them the earliest I could get their item engraved was the 26th and they'd say "YOU KNOW CHRISTMAS IS TOMORROW RIGHT" and I'd sooo want to say "YES, you dumb b*tch! which is why I have allllll of these orders from people who thought ahead and got their gifts on time!! It's the same day every goddamn year!!!!" 😂 usually I'd just say "Yes sir, but I have all of these orders to finnish first." and then gesture towards the items to be engraved (we had put them on the back counter behind the till so people could physically see just how much work we had to do, that we aren't lying to them)
Set a limit for your kids. Getting so many presents for kids is unintentionally setting them up for failure. You’re telling them that things are more important than they are. Objects are more important than spending time with them. My mom got one gift for all of us to share and then 3-5 gifts per kid. Then we’d do something together as a family. Like go hunting, camping, the North Pole Experience… etc. For the rest of the family boo hoo. Yeah we got our grandparents gifts. Us cousins would put our names in a hat and draw names. That was it. And everyone was happy. And debt free.
My presence is their presents.
Yes! I can afford Christmas thankfully but I’m still trying to find ways to shift the focus of Christmas away from gifts to something more meaningful. I genuinely want to give my daughter one maybe two gifts for Christmas and make the rest about community service or giving back or something along those lines. F**k consumerism, there’s so much more to life than that!
How many friends do you have currently?
My son has that shirt 🤣
😂😂😂
That's called an escort looool jk
Banks literally offer an account called ‘Christmas Club’. At least my credit union does. Been doing this for years. I automatically fund it every paycheck and by around this time every year, I have about $1500 saved. I get some coffee shop gift cards for my kids’ school bus drivers and teachers because, thank you taking care of my kids 😊. A couple of gifts for my niece and nephew, and the rest I spend on my 2 kids. I now mostly do experiences as gifts. Like tickets to a basketball game for my son, concert tickets for my daughter. The rest? I treat myself to a relaxing facial or spa 😊
It’s so thoughtful to gift people who help your kids. And I’m so glad you remember yourself too, momma. 🫶🏻
@ These are the people who spend more time with our kids outside of home. So, I’m truly grateful 😊. Teachers don’t get paid nearly enough to deal with kids’ shenanigans. We also can’t forget ourselves 😊
As my kids get older, we started to gift experiences and memories. Our family is a gift in itself, so spending time with our loved ones is precious because tomorrow is never guaranteed. My kids know the most important thing is family and know christmas is not about presents. My daughters birthday is 3 days before Christmas, and the only thing she asks for is eating her grandma's chop suey with her family. I am truly grateful. My children understand it's not about what you have it's about who you have.
I like to buy presents for my friends. I pick up things throughout the year as I see them rather than running out like a maniac looking for overpriced crap. Small tokens are the best!
Same! I start shopping in January and pick things up throughout the year. Our Christmas budget has been the same for 30 years. Can we afford more now, yes. Is it necessary? Absolutely not. I had to replace a lot of my Christmas lights and garlands last year, after Christmas. My decor lasted ages but the time had come to replace them. Who buys a new tree every year? (We’re allergic to the live trees. Had to have that confirmed with the Allergist, never knew it was a thing.)
People have always told me I'm great at giving gifts and really all I do is have a folder for each person in my browser and save ideas when I come across them all throughout the year. Super easy!
I love Busiswa’s face in the beginning when dude was yelling. 🤣🤣🤣
I love to crochet, (unfortunately comes with yarn hoarding 🤣) if anyone else here does too, just remember that if you gift something to someone that you made and put love into but they don't love it as much as you do, that's ok it's not because of you personally.
It definitely stings, when they don't appreciate it, but a lot of handmade fabric arts are really not valued/under appreciated by a lot of people because they don't know how much time,effort, and skill is put into it unless they share the same interest/hobby. They also most likely do not know how to wash/care for the piece you made them too.
But even so, if you care for them just giving them a gift you made with love instead of cheap plastic from a store is always the better option in my opinion. ❤️
I agree completely. But I do see the love that was put into it. I want those homemade handmade gifts. They are so precious to me. One of my friends, when I was a freshman in high school, she made me this beautiful ornament... 20 years ago. And I have it proudly displayed. Even though we lost contact, I see it every day, and I think of all the great times we had together. My children make me some amazing things, and I want those not fancy gifts. Each stroke of paint and each bead mean so much to me. They took their time, picked those colors, and thought of me. It's truly beautiful.
Omg same! I have so much yarn so I've decided to make a Christmas themed blanket for my parents using all my spare yarn. I'm so excited!😊
I think it's not that people don't appreciate the time and skill it takes, it's just that most don't want to do extra to properly care and clean the items and it's easy to get overwhelmed with crocheted items, especially if you have more than 2 or 3 relatives/friends making you blankets, throws, etc... every year.
A huge reason why I specifically ask family/friends to not give me any gifts is because there was a year where I had 14 crocheted blankets and no room but felt guilty about donating most of them even though I literally had no space for them.
I'd recommend asking people if they would like a crocheted/handmade Item (particularly if it's large) and also include care instructions.
I just spent 1500 on Christmas gifts for my kids an hour ago. I paid in cash that I have been saving all year. I only buy them gifts twice a year. Some years we spend 50 dollars a kid. This year is an up year, so they're lucking out for this year lol! But at the end of the day they are grateful for anything and I think that's the point. Oh and my kids are the only ones getting gifts from me lol
Are they younger than 18? Cause mine are 18 and up we are decorating with each other and we are going to make homemade cookies and pies and cakes for christmas that’s our holiday
In my country this is the standard, only kids get gifts and only from their parents. After around 12 you don’t receive gifts tho sometimes my parents would give us a little something but is not expected.
I stopped celebrating holidays including Christmas when I draw more closer to God. That was back in 2021. It’s the best feeling when you don’t have to stress about buying presents for your loved ones. God is what matters and that’s it. 💯🙏🏽💖
This is the only year I’ve honestly felt good about budgeting especially during the holidays. A nice heartfelt gift, even handmade, is much more appreciated and cherished anyway.
I'm happy just having everyone drive around together to see the christmas light. And a stop to get some mcnuggets for a treat. That's a good enough christmas to me. After an early dinner with everyone at home.
We decided to not travel for Thanksgiving and I will cook our meal at home, and to not buy gifts for Christmas. The kids are understandably upset, but paying the upcoming property taxes is far more important. 😫
Wise choice and they will understand along the way. Also, you can give time! There are so many ways to make memories on a budget. Happy Holidays!
Yep. Hold on to your cash, these next few years are gonna be a rough one. Don’t be distracted
We’re already receiving our property taxes, and man! I totally feel you😣
I totally agree with you on that christmas shouldn’t be about material things it’s about family and being thankful for them
They'll get it when they're older! Also Hannibal propic??? 👀
One thing I do for my nieces and nephews is their Christmas gift is an "experience" or "activity". For example, I helped pay for one of my nephew's soccer uniforms, paid for my two nieces to attend a one-week summer horse camp (and got a huge discount for paying early), and bought another nephew an electeonic piano keyboard with a headset plugin so he can practice whenever and wherever.
On Christmas Eve and Day, I make pies and do arts and crafts with them.
Obviously, this is more expensive than buying a $5 toy, but if your finances are solid and you can spare a little extra, it makes more of an impact and memory in the long run.
I have thrifted toys for my kid over the span of 6months. Everyone else gets home made goods. Decor us mostly crafted because we are a diy family
I like getting Christmas presents for my immediate family, so I buy Christmas presents all year round. This means I can budget accordingly and I’m not buying hundreds of dollars worth of presents in one month. It also helps that my presents are not usually very expensive because my dad usually gets a book that he likes, my mom usually gets one little thing off her list, and my sister and I will buy little bobbles that we think the other might find amusing, though we’ve started to also forgo buying actual items and have started getting each other tickets to events to go to together, or planning camping trips for each other.
This! I start saving as soon as the month end in “ember “ then depending on how much a saved I divide that between the people I’m buying for and base the gifts off the budget . I wouldn’t say it’s cuz “consumerism “ I just like buying a one time a year gift for someone who needs something or really wants something but they won’t get it themself. Good to treat people when you can!
financial health is important! thank you busiswa ilysm
OMG HI!!! I just discovered you I really like you 💞💞💞. Happy to be here! Hope you see this 💖💖💖
My kids and I make decorations every year. We use a lot of nature stuff like pinecones and fall leaves(and they are free!!) 😂 the super perishable things like paper garlands get thrown out but everything else gets stored and we get to remember the fun times every year when we take them out to decorate. ❤
My motto is :
Save and pay in full.
Don't buy now, pay later.
I don't do debts, been debt free my whole life. But I plan on getting a mortgage next year and I am actually exited. Owning my own home is a dream that should soon come true.
I was raised in Belgium where there isn't really a credit score like in the UK and the USA. We are not encouraged to buy on credit. For a long time, my family had one credit card for the whole family, 2 parents and 3 adult daughters, 4 householda. And whatever was bought on this card would have to be paid entirely the 1st of next month. Never knew what a minimum repayments were until I moved to Scotland.
We also don't have student loans in Belgium because education is affordable and lower incomes can get help. I am fortunate and I encourage my friends with credit card debts to change their mindset.
I save up a little bit of money from every check and put it in a savings account. By the end of the year, I have at least $500 or so to spend on Christmas.
I've been doing this for years, I'm surprised that not more people do this!?
Its not like its a surprise, Chrismas comes evey year, on the exact same day, none the less. 😂
People make bad financial decisions and then they are here saying they are not buying gifts for their kids. I mean wtf? You can’t plan ahead and spend 20 bucks for your kid when you know this is what they have been waiting for and they will forever be hurt if you don’t? I really don’t understand these women here
Oop, my parents are going through this. They're only buying us pyjamas, slippers and one personal item. The rest is going to making our house well-decorated bc that's something we adore doing as a family and it's our fave part of Christmas.
Spending time with your family is a beautiful gift. Seems like you are a kid who values what you already have. Not what you get.
A welcoming warm Christmas home is so nice! I love decorating for Christmas dinner
I work in a toy store and it's always mind blowing to me how much parents spent on toys. For example a 400€+ (~420$+) Harry Potter Lego Castle for a 10 year old.
That's crazy...I don't know what to say. I mean, someone can love that kind of toy, but it's not worth the price.
Hey! I found your channel last Saturday and I’ve been binge watching your videos between work all week!😅🥰
Thank you for posting about this, Christmas is so expensive ❤
I will go into a SMALL amount of debt for Christmas. I only spend as much as I can pay off by the end of January. I have a small child though, and it just makes me so happy to see all the gifts around the tree, so even though the gifts are for them, they’re also for me because it brings me joy.
That first guy gave the most nerdy aggressive present talk ever 💀
yeah also, did you notice how big his eyes were? lol
I'm broke but I'm not in debt cause I pay my bills first. I don't believe in credit cards but I do have one strictly for emergencies that only has a $500 limit. As for Christmas, everyone is getting a box of home made goodies cause I can make large batches for cheap and there's enough to go around.
I don't have debt and also don't use credit cards (although people tell me I should so I can build credit). I am not a big spender (except for my lip gloss addiction, but I don't spend over $10 on lip products). My family doesn't celebrate Christmas but not for religious reasons, we just don't. This year I am going to buy one gift for everyone in my family. Especially for my beautiful mom ❤❤
I use credit cards for all my bills, pay my balance monthly…collect rewards, no interest…came in handy buying plane tickets this past summer and still had rewards leftover. If you’re responsible (as you seem) there are great advantages.
Christmas is about Jesus! Buying nice gifts for people to enjoy while getting crap from them...Priceless and lesson learned...
Not doing it again is...PEACE to ALL.
My Xmas tree is over 50 yrs old. Its a "bottle brush tree" and it's beautiful. Before I got that tree from a yard sale I bought a tree from Target. Guess what it lasted 2 years before it started to fall apart. Every year we make an ornament with our toddler to add to the tree. Truly scaling back on Xmas even with the gifts 2 yes ago has been the best thing I've done.
Posting again is crazy! (LOVVVV YOUR VIDSS ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤)
For most of my adult years, I have always asked for paper products for Christmas. Paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, Dawn dish washing detergent if you are feeling froggy. Useful consumables.
I always do that for our Secret Santa at work.
I get my holiday decor from the thrift store, hand me downs, or even homemade stuff people made as christmas gifts for me. i'll put them in a storage bin and use it the following year, including the tree.
I only bake for friends and family on the 'Haulidaze'. We all bake, or make and share. It's so much less stress! 💜
Wouldn't you know it, an ad for shopping just popped up. 🤦🏻♀️
You are being watched 😂 I was just thinking of something. Didn't even look it up and BAM got a ad for it
I’m 65 and retired. My husband is 63 and still working. I really don’t need/want anything! He’s the only person I buy for but it’s something small and I use cash.
Yeah, this is my first Christmas where I’m really aware of my financial situation. My Mom would always make sure we had presents no matter our financial situation. But this year I got serious about budgeting and I’m aware of her sacrifices. So we made the decision not to buy presents this year and to just spend Christmas in each other’s company. It feels foreign and unnatural to not buy anything for Christmas. We’ve always done the family Christmas pjs (5&below) as a present but we’re not even doing that.
It just feels weird. But it’s the responsible thing, plus I get to spend the holiday with my Mom. ❤
Who remembers "Christmas Clubs" for saving money?
I still have mine and religiously do it every year!!!
People who are financially savvy
$35 for a coffee mug is a “good price”? 30 bucks for a paper journal….💀💀💀💀 ummm oka-
Man this is so true. I havent celebrated since 1999 and my family bearly does it because we show love through out the year
Exactly! I don’t even celebrate the holidays anymore but why the heck do I have to show love and buying gifts when the holidays especially Christmas comes around? This could happen on any other day. 🤣💯
I was born in late December after Christmas. So yeah, I can testify to either being completely forgotten as a kid or the combo Christmas/Birthday gift.
0:12 i feel attacked 😂🤣🤣🤣
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I have never understood the kid's Christmas list. My parents never told me to write a list of presents that I wanted from Santa. They told me to write a letter to Santa telling him that I was a good girl, and then asking for ONE single toy. Of course they were buying me toys in other occasions, but on Christmas I had one toy, and it was a great and special feeling for me. I can't imagine specifically how much are today's parents spending if they have to buy multiple toys for they kids!
I think it's meant to be more as something that gives parents a variety, or at least an idea of what kids want? That's at least how mine treated it. I never got everything on the list, usually one or two things or something that was as close to the item as my parents could get.
I've definitely noticed this new trend lately (lately as in last ten years or so) where parents feel like they have to one-up each other especially when it comes to festivities and holiday seasons. So then they started buying everything on the list and extra to get their kids to love them, and show off 'look what I can do.' (like dudley and his birthday from the Haryy Potter series) Other parents see it and get scared that they aren't providing enough for their kids and try to emulate it and before you know it, it's a domino effect.
Your face in the beginning. 😂😂 He had me shook too, yelling at the camera.
Christmas Is About Christ, Jesus Christ. Spend time with your Family enjoy Good Food together Do A potluck if you can't afford the entire meal, do games around The Story of The Nativity and do gift baskets for the winner it's so much fun. Much better than Stressing on gifts and Santa Clause, Elves ect.. Teach your Family About what Christmas is Really about Not the Worldly Santa Clause Holiday and a bunch of presents. May God Bless you and Keep you xoxo Love yall Buuuuuut Jesus Loves You Most Xoxo 🕊🙌🤍✝️🥰🫶🙏📖
The best gifts can't be bought .
@lucialuciferion6720 Amen Amen 🙏 🙌 🕊🤍🫶✝️
In Pennsylvania you can choose your own tree and they cut it , my grandma did that with us every year we loved it
I usually spend quite a bit ( cash) because i like giving. I gift my kids teachers,Bus driver, Ups driver, employees, plus some. I go overboard but Im thankful I'm able to do that because i set a budget plan for Christmas starting from the beginning of Jan til Dec.20 & will do a rollover if i don't spend it all. I also have my kids make their lists in july so i can slowly buy their gifts. But they shocked me this year...for Halloween they didn't want to dress up instead they wanted to go watch a movie at the theater and eat out which was cheaper btw & requested to do the same for Christmas...
I agree with them but there so aggressive for no reason haha 😂
The first guy was wild 😂😂😂
This year for gifts I’m trying to just buy from small local businesses. Got a lot of good stuff at the farmers market!
Of course i get a 5 below ad right after the video
My birthday in dec 24th 5:00 trust me I know
Oh that stinks. Mine is January 3 and always gets forgotten!
We bought our first Christmas tree in 2020...it was a medium-sized plastic Christmas tree that we pull out every year for Christmas since then. We even have the same ornaments from back then. They are all either porcelain or plastic built to last you a lifetime if you are careful. This year there are no gifts, just hand made stuff everyone will give out since we are in a silent recession. I do not see any reason to spend money on new things every year unless you are giving out things that are necessary and meant to last.
Im only buying for the kids my 2 and my nephew and niece and parents. I do a mix of second hand and new. Also start early beginning of October i start buying i also am not doing lots of toys I'm trying to keep toys under control so only things I know they for sure like or will play with then it's things they need
Gift giving was just never a big thing in my family like this, and I find it so strange that some ppl really consider going into debt to buy Christmas gifts. I didn't realize anyone was really doing that or considering it. Don't do it, I agree!
my first time to be so early yeyy🎉
Go outside. I go do things with people and call it a holiday. Dinner, Xmas fairs, minigolf, etc. to enjoy your shared time off.
My step family is very materialistic about christmas. There's a lot of us kids (6 total--half are adults half are still minors) and for the last five years we've had this fun tradition of Secret Santa where we are each other's secret santa. We give a list of three things and it has to stay under the $25-30 budget. Problem is, my step siblings grew up middle class and have no concept of staying under budgets.
In the past years whenever I got one of them instead of my own brother (who knows how to stay under budget like me), I could easily forgive it. This year however, when it came time to draw, I just told them to got ahead and cut me out from it and maybe I could rejoin the next year. Like I love them to death, but this year I just do not have the ability to bounce back financially like I had in past years. I'm just going to make like chocolate pinecones or something and bring that as a gift to everyone. Might not last as long, but it's edible, tasty, and I can afford it.
I really needed this video 😂❤
My husband and I start our Christmas shopping early, do a little at a time, and that way it's not a huge ticket to pay come December. Also, we don't get a big fancy gift for anyone but our child, one nice gift and some small ones. And even that is on a budget. Also, we don't give everyone we know gifts. We give to parents, grandparents, our son, and each other. Small, meaningful, or homemade gifts are best. Christmas is about love and family and being together. Not the almighty dollar. I have never gone into debt for Christmas, and I never will. I will skip gifts before we do that.
We just told everyone back in October that it’s a no gift year. We don’t want gifts and we won’t be giving gifts lol we’re going to focus on just having dinners and such together. There are no little kids in the immediate family this year either so it’s easy.
Girlll you always delivered with your videos. Definitely agree with all points made in this video. This whole holiday shopping madness drives me crazy and financially is burden to many people. Last year we did secret Santa in my family because buying 10 plus gifts for each person is incredibly costly 😱
I just picked up some angel tree lists, and most of them ask for socks and shoes. Heartbreaking.
As it is, Im blessed to be able to provide holiday meals for my family and small gifts, stockings with treats. If I can afford that, I can definitely afford some toys and clothes for angel tree.
Well buy me something lol lol I live in toledo ohio lol are you close by 😂😂😂
@moongoddess238 get yourself on the angel tree list, I may get yours lol
Our family is not doing gifts this year and my daughter knows she's not getting a ton of stuff this year. I did tell her id take her out for a nice seafood dinner though 🥰
We do white elephant every year but we use old gifts or items and we don’t really buy anything new most of the time for white elephant. It’s a lot of fun when the gifts are so random 😅
Omg yes, we do white elephant, and it's so fun. Last year, I got a birdcage with a ceramic bird in it. This year gifting it back, but it's been painted, and I glued a fake cigar in its mouth.
Secret santa with a limit. Its a great way to reduce stress at Christmas.
Feels good to be early
4:23 my birthday is february 2nd. i always got christmas gifts and never birthday gifts. this is also due to february being in the school year, so 9 times outta 10, i'm spending my birthday in a musty classroom with badass kids... at least we were allowed to take cupcakes to school on our birthdays.
16:02 i really appreciate this lady giving us practical tips and ideas to help us save money ❤
I don’t even celebrate Christmas lol
I spend a lot of money at Christmas but that is what I want to do BUT I buy all through the year and put them away til Christmas so I can pay cash. I don’t like to pressured at the last minute trying to buy for everyone because it increases my anxiety. If I can’t pay cash I will not buy it.
Smart
i swear every time someone brings up hobby lobby (my job) it brings memories... lol
As much as id like to over do christmas this year, all the stuff i bought the kids is gone already or was donated early into spring. Then work cut hours after the holidays ( which was expected) but the stress made me sick, so this year they get to pick out a new pair of shoes for 50 and thats it.
I only get presents for my kids, I save the money back each year but even if I didn’t have that I’d find a way. Unless we are homeless, I will always find a way to get my kids Christmas presents. I only have two kids, so it’s really not that expensive.
I'm South African, My Christmas gift is a roof over my head, food to eat and a phone that works😂.
My family has a rule, Christmas gifts for the little kids only. It’s pretty easy to keep it in the $30 or less range and nobody goes broke.
I place a limit of $30 max per person on gifts and only give to my nieces and nephews. If your kid or kids are getting a gift you aren't. That's my motto.
decor goes in the attic till next year
Xmas is about consumerism. Some people don't have good xmas memories. I don't really celebrate. After my parents got rid of the tree and after I moved out there is no xmas. I have one mercery tree that I forget to take out every year. I have holiday shirts I wear to work just for a change of clothes. But I do Winter Solstice. But look forward to getting things I waited for to go on 'black Friday' sales. And I can get a cheap turkey I can cut and freeze for the rest of the year. Watching people lose their minds over a toy one year was enough. But yea, if you are going broke for this holiday you should re-evaluate things. I don't get gifts or give them. and when I do get something it's not useful to me. So I don't want to give clutter to others either.
I do plan to go into debt (buy now, pay later) and I dont feel particularly bad about it because its a gift for our whole family. That being said, I know what I'm going, I'm an adult, and i won't complain 😅
Edit: okah these tiktoks are making me feel bad. Guess I'll think again 😮💨 being broke really bums me out 😞
These holiday sales not even worth it, only 20%? 30%? A joke
Right?! Give me a real BARGAIN please 😂
I’ll be lucky if I can get myself some socks for Christmas 😂
And I like socks
The word trend is so high school. As an adult, only trend I care about are:
1. How much less my money is worth
2. How much that wacky number in my checking grows or shrinks every month.
I personally think these are the only ways that word should pertain to finances as an adult. Happiness shouldn’t have a price and capitalism sure as fuck makes sure it does.
So you care about the economy? I wish more people did.
Over-consumerism......well I know that since the beginning of human history, when human would get together and something had to be done. The bush kill is cooked around the fire and humans used to sing and dance around it and then eat . Now, everything has to be bought; gifts, food, music and alcohol as the only way to actually celebrate each other and enjoy that quality time.
I spent around $30 a couple years ago on a mug it was American Union made, but I use it almost everyday and you can feel the difference between it and a mug that comes from China.
As soon as I was eighteen, I decided I didn't want any more gifts for christmas or my birthday. For me, it counts to have a nice evening with my loved ones and that is.
B, your videos keep me entertained while I work. Thank you for your service 🫡
So what about Thanksgiving?😅
I remember I felt so bad because I didn’t get my kids anything for christmas but I couldn’t afford it plus they are all grown now they are not kids anymore so I had to keep telling myself that smh 🤦🏾♀️ I was told I don’t love them anymore blah blah blah lol but they got over it and now they said mom were too old for presents lol lol gooooooo figure lmao 😂😂
I decorate my porch lol but I don't really give gifts to anyone but my niece ❤
I'm kind of poor. I'm doing okay for me but no extras right now. Not because of debt. Because of rent!!!
Oh no 😱
5:09 Smart lady!! 😂
I love gifts and giving gifts but I honestly I agree,it’s not that deep❤
I know I’m so broke for Christmas. I want to get a camera and some Lego sets and it said like $300.
That’s why you plan ahead . There are piggy banks for a reason. 25 bucks per month for a year will save you 300. Cut down on some Starbucks and stupid beauty products and routines and you can do it.
My "favorite" is when I worked retail doing engraving, so christmas was always so busy. Every year there was always atleast one person who would come in on the 23rd or 24th and get upset when I'd tell them the earliest I could get their item engraved was the 26th and they'd say "YOU KNOW CHRISTMAS IS TOMORROW RIGHT" and I'd sooo want to say "YES, you dumb b*tch! which is why I have allllll of these orders from people who thought ahead and got their gifts on time!! It's the same day every goddamn year!!!!" 😂 usually I'd just say "Yes sir, but I have all of these orders to finnish first." and then gesture towards the items to be engraved (we had put them on the back counter behind the till so people could physically see just how much work we had to do, that we aren't lying to them)
I dont have family to spend with anyways so my wallet is happy all year around.
What a good day to not be American and not have to deal with this problem 🏖️
My birthday is January 12th, so I've always gotten half of my presents on Christmas and the other half on my birthday
My sister puts herself into debt every year around Christmas trying to fulfill her spoiled girls wishes. Not credit card debt (title loans)
I’m broke and can’t afford Xmas gifts. Some more credit card debt I go!!! Yay!!! I hate Xmas
SO FRICKEN EARLY OMG🩵
I put money aside for Xmas every month.
Set a limit for your kids. Getting so many presents for kids is unintentionally setting them up for failure. You’re telling them that things are more important than they are. Objects are more important than spending time with them. My mom got one gift for all of us to share and then 3-5 gifts per kid. Then we’d do something together as a family. Like go hunting, camping, the North Pole Experience… etc. For the rest of the family boo hoo. Yeah we got our grandparents gifts. Us cousins would put our names in a hat and draw names. That was it. And everyone was happy. And debt free.
I seriously need a suggestion app or something for gift ideas
Me: why is he yelling at me😭😭 *looks at name* oh..😅