time of the year is now. :sigh

(small pity-party, but I am hoping this can help others)

It's kicked off with my anniversary (which is this weekend) and we have never had the money to buy each other real gifts and it's been 8 years. It really depresses C because he "wants to give me the world and is a shitbag for not ever giving me an anniversary gift."-his words, not mine. We just can't afford it.

I love the holidays, the family, friends and the aura that is around during Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it is also just SO STRESSFUL. We are always poor and have very little money and I never make a big deal about it because we have everything we need. The only time it bothers me is around now. I can't even afford to buy my dad a gift, nor the IL's, nieces and nephews. :( or-worst of all- my kids.

Thank GOD for the good people, the military and holiday programs out here or we would have no Christmas for the kids. I budget us to death so we can afford to live day to day and save for the future- retirement and emergencies, but sometimes I just wish it were easier.

It seems that Nov 1st through January 1st I have the most depression and tears. I also have G's Bday on NYE. :sigh Good thing she is still young and small tokens make her happy. :happy

Now we are going to be fine and all will work out (it always does), so that is the bright side, but I need to be frugal to the MAX during this time and it makes me feel like I can't breathe. So instead of focusing on the stress of all the materialistic BS, I try to focus on my beautiful and wonderful family.


What do you do during this time to ease the financial pain and still make the best of it?

i shop sales as much as i can. i also shop a little throughout the year.

As for holiday shopping this year, we're going to start lay-awaying presents this payday... Kmart still does lay a way, as does the NEX. My family knows it will be a lean year so they're not expecting gifts.. Honestly I'd be happy if everyone in the family just bought for DD.. DH and I aren't big on getting gifts anyway. It gets to be too much when we have 15 people in the extended family to buy for.

I know what you mean about not ever getting anniversary gifts.. we usually get each other a card and have a nice dinner either at home or out. We've been known to have McD's by candlelight.. the food doesn't matter as much as the fact that you're with the one you love.

Do you know someone that could watch the littles for you while you guys have a quiet evening at home? Maybe a picnic at the beach??

We become overly cheap about everything and dont eat out, it sucks!!


Also, we but a limit on how much we spend on each child for Christmas and buy their gifts very early, like now :giggle

I have a GC for dinner for our anniversary and a babysitter. This is actually going to be our best anniversary so far (I hope) :wub.

:hugs
You DO make the best of it Jen, you are a wonderful mother and give your kids all the love in the world! (L) That means more then any presents could ever mean...do not even dare be hard on yourself! :hugs The holidays are a great time to make some cocoa, cuddle on the couch with a blanket and read holiday stories to the kiddos! (L)

I have a GC for dinner for our anniversary and a babysitter. This is actually going to be our best anniversary so far (I hope) :wub.

I hope you guys have a wonderful anniversary! (L)

I have a GC for dinner for our anniversary and a babysitter. This is actually going to be our best anniversary so far (I hope) :wub.

That sounds like it going to be a great for you both, when is your anniversary?

I try and shop all year. I bargin hunt and get things when they are really cheap. Also i try not to buy into the must haves for the year. knowing full well they will be at the bottom of the toy barrel soon. My SIL is queen of the bargin hunter, it helps that she works at the mall to begin with so she can "shop" all the time. I also found that having a christmas account works wonders. I know Navy fed has specialty accounts, but so do many other credit unions.. Basically you can open one after the holidays and the money is otherwise untouchable till the week November.. you can always take it out but at a penalty. Even if I am only putting in 10 or 15 dollars a month or payday, it's still something.
We also hardly get each other Anny gifts. I married him, what more does he want. :giggle

:hugs
You DO make the best of it Jen, you are a wonderful mother and give your kids all the love in the world! (L) That means more then any presents could ever mean...do not even dare be hard on yourself! :hugs The holidays are a great time to make some cocoa, cuddle on the couch with a blanket and read holiday stories to the kiddos! (L)

:yes:thumbup you sound like a wonderful mom to me:yes

i don't have many suggestions, as i'm used to just buying presents for my parents and one friend. back when i was waitressing and broke all the time, i used to buy presents throughout the year, that way it didn't feel like this huge money stress all at once. that's about it though:shrug

rachael had good suggestions, besides, those are the things your kids will remember, not what presents they got! i don't remember what i got for christmas, but i remember dad reading "the night before christmas" to us every time and making christmas cookies with mom. to me, that's what matters:) awwww now i'm all nostalgic:wub

Having the whole family together is the best present you could have :hugs I'm sure your husband would give you the world though if he could.

To make it easier on our finances during this time. We have a christmas account where I deposit $25 every pay check. I buy stuffs through out the year when the stores have super sweet deals. I try to get creative and find unique gifts or personalized gifts. Honestly if there is a year that we are very tight on money or something I know I would only go with personalized cards from us to our family and friends. The thought is what counts.

Having the whole family together is the best present you could have :hugs I'm sure your husband would give you the world though if he could.

To make it easier on our finances during this time. We have a christmas account where I deposit $25 every pay check. I buy stuffs through out the year when the stores have super sweet deals. I try to get creative and find unique gifts or personalized gifts. Honestly if there is a year that we are very tight on money or something I know I would only go with personalized cards from us to our family and friends. The thought is what counts.

oh yeah we do that too, we do $50 a paycheck :yes

Hubby and I made the rule of no presents for anyone except the kids while he was in university and it was beyond lean for us.
For us the holidays are about the kids. My dad, my sis, my inlaws do not need some crappy gift to know how we feel. I try to send photos... thats what they want.
My ten year anniversary will happen while they are gone again, so no celebrations here.
Just breathe. Enjoy your family.
:)
And just know that you will not have to dread the after holiday bills in January that everyone who over spends has to deal with.