When Howard left Novell at the end of September I knew that I had to get working on Christmas right away. I knew I’d need to plan ahead and make things in order to keep Christmas spending really low. I made some things, I found some things second-hand, and our neighbors donated a bunch of stuff that they cleaned out of storage. I’ve pretty much got it all in hand. Howard and I are going to be able to provide a plentiful christmas and our out-of-pocket expense is going to be right in the range of $100. That includes christmas morning, gifts to each other, christmas dinner, the whole shebang.
I would not have believed that was possible had I not actually done it. One of the reasons it was possible is that we already had some stuff on hand that we’d bought for the kids and never gotten around to giving them. We also had a gift certificate at Amazon which bought Howard and my presents for each other. But I learned that Freecycle and thrift stores are great places to get stuff if you’re patient and not picky about exact brands.
I’d tell in detail what I acquired and where, but some of the kids can read. It isn’t likely that they’d see my journal, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.
This experience has taught me that all the commercialism of Christmas is really really unnecessary. In fact all the commercialism all year round is unnecessary. We are going to have fewer, less expensive presents under the tree this year, but since the kids were actively involved in their acquisition and construction I think they’ll be happier about giving and about what they receive.
So this year I pulled off the theoretically impossible. But to my mind it was only because of resources on hand and a couple of amazing windfalls. I won’t be impressed with the accomplisment until I can do it again next year after a year’s worth of tight budgeting. The only way I can picture myself making it work is if I start squirrelling away christmas for next year as soon as this year is over. Time will tell I guess.
Two things:
1) If you don’t want your kids to read something and you don’t leave your system logged in while you’re away from it… or keep logged into LiveJournal, I’d suggest locking the entry to be Friends Only if you want to keep the kids out of it. 😀
2) It’s amazing how cheap parts can be, especially if you’re willing to make some things for yourself. And I’d suggest starting on the Christmas squirrelling early, it’s never too early to start – just too late.
My only problem with the concept that all of the commercialism of Xmas is worthless is that, well…my job (retail) kinda depends on people buying into the modern spirit of the holiday.
Just remeber, as Tom Leher put it:
“It doesn’t matter how sincere it is
or how heartfelt the spirit
Sentiment will not endure it
What’s important is..
The Price.”
😉