How to realistically budget for Christmas | I've Paid For This Twice Already... http://www.paidtwice.com/2007/07/17/how-to-realistically-budget-for-christmas/#comment-13853 rjmolly Thu, 31 Jan 2008 01:52:21 +0000 http://www.paidtwice.com/2007/07/17/how-to-realistically-budget-for-christmas/#comment-13853 Yeah, I am in the same boat...Except that I feel too guilty buying nice gifts for 1 set of parents and giving more creative, heartfelt (cheaper) gifts to the other. Although, the parents receiving the heartfelt gifts don't really care and are appreciative, actually they don't expect anything, I KNOW the difference. I feel guilty that their gifts aren't as nice, and, really, they deserve nice things, too. I have decided to spend equally on both sets of parents even though I don't want to spend that much. One thing I have learned is that January and February are the times to buy gifts. All those fancy stores have most of their items on clearance. I also try stocking up on gifts for birthdays. After Valentines Day I'll buy my husband gifts for next years Valentine's Day and so on. I just put a piece of tape on each gift marking who I am giving it to so I don't forget, and put it away in the closet. I found a $70 toaster oven online at Macy's marked down to $19.99. I am still trying to navigate the balance between getting out of debt, being true to myself, and meeting family expectations. I want to give nice gifts but I am not in a financial position to do so. Good luck! Yeah, I am in the same boat…Except that I feel too guilty buying nice gifts for 1 set of parents and giving more creative, heartfelt (cheaper) gifts to the other. Although, the parents receiving the heartfelt gifts don’t really care and are appreciative, actually they don’t expect anything, I KNOW the difference. I feel guilty that their gifts aren’t as nice, and, really, they deserve nice things, too. I have decided to spend equally on both sets of parents even though I don’t want to spend that much.

One thing I have learned is that January and February are the times to buy gifts. All those fancy stores have most of their items on clearance. I also try stocking up on gifts for birthdays. After Valentines Day I’ll buy my husband gifts for next years Valentine’s Day and so on. I just put a piece of tape on each gift marking who I am giving it to so I don’t forget, and put it away in the closet. I found a $70 toaster oven online at Macy’s marked down to $19.99.

I am still trying to navigate the balance between getting out of debt, being true to myself, and meeting family expectations. I want to give nice gifts but I am not in a financial position to do so. Good luck!

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