raptureready

Being the daughter of some pretty frugal parents, one year mom and dad had envelopes on the tree with our names on them. When we opened them, they were filled with about $1500 of play money. We then had an auction and were able to bid on the things they had to offer----coupons for a "dinner at the farm" we could choose what mom fixed, an afternoon of dad helping clean our garage or basement, a coupon for an oil change from dad, one for a tire rotation, there were also jars of homemade jam, loaves of homemade bread, bags of mom's noodles, pies, etc. It was one of the best and most memorable Christmas' ever. We had such fun bidding against each other. Mom and dad loved seeing their gifts bring in outrageous amounts like $500-$700 for the last jar of jam, $800 for an oil change and so on.

Christmas doesn't have to cost a lot to be enjoyable.

Pieces2

WOW! Merry Xmas to me! LOL

mama's place

Please, please, don't be so hard on yourself. So many can't afford to BUY presents this year. My grandkids could open their own store so it's so hard to find something special for them. Some of the ideas offered are great. If the kids are close by to you, you could give them a gift certificate for a special outing with you....a gift of your time and attention.
My 95 year old mom made her special sugar cookies and my niece decorated little brown paper bags like lunch bags for each grandchild or each family. Oh, and her peanut butter cookies were included also. My niece is a teacher and she made a reindeer face for each bag. My daughter in law hides her cookies when she gets them and eats them in her pantry so she doesn't have to share them. LOL

A funny note, when I gave my daughter hers, someone had already raided the bag and her cookies were gone!! Too funny! The look on her face was too precious. We did make her some later, tho.

jillnjo

We decided several years ago to not give gifts in our family. I know that none of us would change that now and the grands never knew about it anyway as they were very young then. I cannot tell you the pressure that went out of the Christmas season with that decision. I don't think it's wrong at all to buy and give gifts. I always looked forward to it as a child, but I had so few of "things" then! My dad tells about never owning a new pair of shoes and maybe getting an orange and a piece of candy for Christmas and the anticipation and joy it brought!! We don't live in those days and have many blessings today! Our family likes to get together and maybe even spend the night at our home and play games and snack on goodies-tiring for Grandpa and Grandma-but the kiddie's eyes gleam in anticipation!! It's about love, as many of you are sharing. Merry Christmas to everyone!

jamsbuying

I love your story. You made a wonderful find!

Carrie Jo

You go girl..great find. Merry Christmas.

Michellesews

I am so happy for youi, you deserve a break! The Lord has smiled down on you, what a thrill. Michelle

Val in IN

Thank you all for your words of kindness. I know that we are not the only ones with this dilemma this year. We are very thankful that we still have our home and food and utilities. And you are absolutely correct that it isn't about the gifts. My family is all on the West coast and I do miss our family get togethers, but I do Skype with them frequently and talk to them at least every few days. My 2 stepsons are coming from Michigan for Christmas and we will spend our time together playing games and visiting. We really are fortunate. I DO feel better about the "no gift" policy and when we called them, they were actually kind of relieved that they didn't have to worry about gifts to buy. All in all, a tough decision, but a GOOD one. In answer to the EQ5 questions, EQ is a computer software program for designing quilts. It is pretty expensive (well over $100.00), so the $4.00 price tag at the Goodwill was pretty amazing. Again, I want to thank you all for being so supportive. All of the folks here are like a big "family", and I spend part of every day with you, and I appreciate each of you. Merry Christmas to each one of you here on "the Board" !!!

suezquilts

Great news, great price!
Enjoy

Riversong

My house has not done Christmas gifts for going on 6 years,,(with the exception of for our granddaughter,4,who spends 90% of her time with us)I make her things or get some things through out the year and put them away.
The first year or two was depressing,but we simply cant afford it,and thats not what its about anyway. We have a meal,sing Carols and just hang out.and the rest of the family has followed suite.Now its such a burden lifted!!!! No struggling,no crowd fighting,no going into debt,,,more people should try it!!!!The gift of being together with our family is the best of all.Aside from the REAL reason for Christmas,,its way overrated!!!!
Im glad you found a bargain!!! Isnt that fun!!!! Hugs!!!