I usually check out 2 or 3 other blogs to see what they are discussing on finance and saving money. I enjoy Frugal Dad and Being Frugal but there are others to check out and see what they are discussing on their blogs. I am going to post a link at the end of this entry of the article I reference from Frugal Dad.
The title of this entry on Frugal Dad is "Too Broke to Buy Christmas Presents" and it discusses the downturn in the economy and buying presents for family, friends, co-workers, etc. I found it to be a really thought enticing post. What are your expectations for Christmas presents this year? If you, or someone you know, has been laid-off, is currently laid-off, what do you expect as gifts? Is it right to expect gifts from someone who just has had a hard time financially? If you really want to get someone a gift but cannot afford a gift? Or even if it comes down to paying a bill or buying a gift for a co-worker, what do you do? These are some serious thoughts this time of year! Who ever thought that as adults we might have to choose between buying gifts for a friend or paying the light bill?
I know I do good just to get family gifts bought each Christmas. I know my parents tell me to not worry about it but I still do. I have a few friends I want to buy for but just cannot do it as I like this year (and last year and maybe next year as well). Should I worry about buying everyone gifts? Naturally, most people would say "No, don't worry about it!" I sometimes feel this is what people should say but do they mean it? Do they really and truly mean it?
Instead of gifts, does time together with friends really make your day? Maybe time with friends at a local restuarant, coffee shop or even ice cream shop is exactly what they need. Or maybe having a few hours out with a spouse without the kids is what a friend needs. Maybe a great gift cannot be bought at any store.
Good luck out there with your Christmas presents this year!! I know this may sound overdone but try to enjoy your family and friends for they have, hopefully, stuck with you through gifts from good-times land and gifts from not-so-good land.
http://frugaldad.com/2011/11/07/too-broke-to-buy-christmas-presents/
Jennifer
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Christmas Gifts and Second Thoughts
Christmas is fast approaching for me. While I have bought most of my presents, there are still a few I must obtain to completely finish the whole Christmas present thing. I do not know why I dread buying presents though. I just second guess myself with them and can only hope that the receiver of the gift will like what I bought them. I do try to put some thought into buying them a gift. This year, I have gone a bit practical with my gifts. (I will not mention right now what I have bought as a receiver of a gift may read this post!!)
Christmas comes the same time every year. I do try to buy some gifts when I can so the closer it gets to December, I will not stress out so much and end up settling for something because I am in a rush. Why do I seem to wait so long though? It is not like I am out there just "living it up" all year. I have all good intentions of making hand-made gifts but end up not making all that I wanted to for the people on my list.
I always seem to second guess my choices for gifts. Will they like them? What will they say when I am not there about this gift? Will they really use it? Will they appreciate it? Even in this downturn of economic greatness, I worry about Christmas gifts. Not like I have ever had a lot of money to buy people gifts but I always feel like I do not quite get the standard above-quality gifts for family members. Ever felt this pressure to get someone a gift that is not quite in your budget? Something you know they will like but will break your bank? Yep, that is my feeling with gifts this year and what seems like most every year.
Maybe I should stop worrying about them and hope that this year they will see that I am trying to get gifts they will use and maybe can appreciate it? Maybe I should. It is not about the gift is it? I would like to buy you the moon but can afford this little bit of dirt. I hope that you see it comes from my heart and I thought about you when I saw it. It has been a rough year for my money but my gift is from my heart. I hope you enjoy it!
Jennifer
Christmas comes the same time every year. I do try to buy some gifts when I can so the closer it gets to December, I will not stress out so much and end up settling for something because I am in a rush. Why do I seem to wait so long though? It is not like I am out there just "living it up" all year. I have all good intentions of making hand-made gifts but end up not making all that I wanted to for the people on my list.
I always seem to second guess my choices for gifts. Will they like them? What will they say when I am not there about this gift? Will they really use it? Will they appreciate it? Even in this downturn of economic greatness, I worry about Christmas gifts. Not like I have ever had a lot of money to buy people gifts but I always feel like I do not quite get the standard above-quality gifts for family members. Ever felt this pressure to get someone a gift that is not quite in your budget? Something you know they will like but will break your bank? Yep, that is my feeling with gifts this year and what seems like most every year.
Maybe I should stop worrying about them and hope that this year they will see that I am trying to get gifts they will use and maybe can appreciate it? Maybe I should. It is not about the gift is it? I would like to buy you the moon but can afford this little bit of dirt. I hope that you see it comes from my heart and I thought about you when I saw it. It has been a rough year for my money but my gift is from my heart. I hope you enjoy it!
Jennifer
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)