How much do you plan to spend this year on holiday gifts?

My brother and his wife have for years done the "from the both of us" thing at christmas while as a single person I still felt obligated to get them individual gifts even though I make half as much as they each do. But no more, tired of the expense and tired of being underappreciated. They are getting a "couple gift" from me and the same goes for my dad (regarding restricting expense). I am sick of buying expensive gifts for people that go into their closet. I would rather they return or exchange it. Found last year's gift to sister in law in her bedroom while babysitting nephew (he likes to sleep in mommy's bed." This was 6 months after christmas. My gift meant so little she didn't bother to exchange or return it. I am tired of trying to buy the love of my cold, distant dad and self-absorbed brothers. I am spending a third of what I usally do. I am giving gift cards so folks can get what they want and I am doing more re-gifting too. I am doing whatever it takes. Spending money on expensive gifts that I cant afford and that are rarely appreciated is no way to live and Im done with doing it.

My husband and I will buy our three single children, the youngest is 17, the oldest 28, one to two gifts. My married daughter and her husband, a resturaunt gift card. I will buy a few gifts for my granddaughter that I know she'll really play with, not because she see's them on t.v. I'll buy a gift card for my mother because I know she appreciates them. My siblings and I decided not to exchange gifts this year. My kids will exchange small gifts with their cousins because they spend the day together at my mother's house. In my family we feel that Christmas is a time to reflect on faith and hope, and we also have more fun getting together. My husband and I have his family over our house on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas we spend the day with my family at my mother's house.

I'm widowed, but my partner and I never exchanged gifts - for any occasion. We bought when we wanted to show our appreciation for each other. My son was killed 2 years ago, and I have no other children, and no grandchildren. I will give cash to my best friend's two sons, so they can purchase what their young hearts desire (money has always been tight in their family), and I will get something for my boss (as always) who has been so generous to me these past 25 years. I will get something for my Dad, who is 87. My brother's family and I stopped exchanging after their children were grown. For me, life is simple.

My husband and I will buy a "store" gift only for our grandson, 9, and our neices, 11 & 1. The people over 18 draw names, so we'll each have one person to get something for. We plan on making/prepping food items to give - we'll be trying out some recipes for great comfort foods like mac-n-cheese, garlic/bacon mashed potatoes - and giving these with a couple of nicely marinated steaks. Sounds a little weird, I know, but people do enjoy getting food so they don't have "regular" cooking to do at Christmastime. And we will enjoy doing it more than just buying and wrapping something.

Humbug for the holidays. Any money spent will be cash. The unfairness of banks to raise interest rates on cards but unwillingness to increase our interest on savings and CD's shows their greed. Congress will do nothing about it but laugh since each member is probably individually wealthy.

I am tired of greed and expectation. For years I bought into the crass commercialism of Christmas. This year will be the second in a row where I spend NOTHING on gifts. My gift to my family this holiday season is a gift of love -- my presence. I long for a time when togetherness was the absolute core of "the holiday spirt." I'm going to do my part to do that. I'm also cutting my card list wayyyyyyy down, sending cards only to those who not only send cards to me, but who also write more than just their name. It's time to stop the madness!

My wife and I stopped buying expensive gifts years ago. Last year we purchased all of our gifts at the apple orchard and winery in our town. Simple things like a gift basket with local wine and cheese, pots of jam or a handmade wooden toy. All were appreciated, helped my local economy and was a throwback to a simpler time for Christmas.

Small turkey and cash only Christmas, and it's going to feel great. This dip in the economy has taught me some wonderful lessons.

I hope the banks, the news media, our government and credit card companies heed Abraham Lincoln's message "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time. Best wishes to all, Scrooge.

I am not going into debt for the first time in years. I will spend a reasonable amount on kids and grandkids and call it a day. I will get out the day after Black Friday and haggle with the retailers and still get what I want at sale price.

God Bless You & Keep You

He's The Real Reason For The Season

I do gifts for my children and husband, he gets one for me, and everyone else I bake care packages for, we don't go all out just simple things, extravagent spending isn't what christmas is all about. we never spend more than 300 dollars in gifts all together. I like to get the kids a bunch of little items so they have more to open. At 4 and 2 one and a half year olds, they are pretty easy to please right now.

I have 5 children and a few of them are still young so I'll spend more than I want to so they can have some new toys as well as needs. Other than my children, I buy a few necessities for my husband and something small for my parents. Friends and other family members get nothing more than a sincere "Merry Christmas!".

We donate our money to a few different charities in the names of our loved ones instead of sending it up to a corporate vampire. The money stays local, those who need it most are helped instead, and everyone learns the true meaning of giving and receiving.

My main concern this year is my 4 children.  They will defintely be getting less this year then in previous years.  I work in an industry that we are barely scraping by and I don't know how much longer I'll have my job.

I've also looked at some of the black friday ads that have already been posted and I haven't seen anything that I thought was a great deal.  The article is right, the things people need/want they aren't lowering the prices on.

This economy is the worst I have ever seen. I worry a lot about the job situation for my kids. I am sure we will all do with a lot less this year. May we all remember the reason for the season.

I have been "giving" gifts from Heifer International for folks. Helping the needy around the world help themselves suits me.

I also give to local charities and local animal shelters. I don't want/need anything. Help others.

I am probably going to get board games for my siblings. I think last year they got nice new socks like some name brand wool socks. Useful in Montana and not unappreciated. And for my folks they might just get a new Christmas ornament because this year we actually get to spend Christmas together which is gift enough for myself. As for my husband and I; I would like to put a cap on it. Last year we went all out but this year we're expecting and I would rather get stuff for our baby than for each other. I don't know about his family though; that's always hard.

My gift to each family this year will be home baked cookies in $1 baskets (from the dollar store.) I will save $400 over last year; spending far less now than on any Christmas of the last twenty. Ho-Ho-oh..

Practical gifts only this year. Paying my mother's property taxes on her house will be her gift. Tough year financially for her.

Our holiday spending will take a huge cut this year. I feel terrible about it but the recession has hit us hard. The kids and my husband will still get storebought gifts from me but less will be spent on them this year. His parents and my parents and other immediate family members will get mostly crafts and baked goods, with only one or two inexpensive store bought gifts. And friends, unfortunately, will get only a card. Everyone will be disappointed but when things get better hopefully I can make up for it.

This year I lost my house, why would I buy hundreds in gifts if I can't even keep a roof over my head...

Thank you worthless degree.