ROCKY is rite you dont need to spend alot of money to get gifts,you should be thankful you have something special to eat that day,theres people that wont even have a home to live in.christmas has gotten so out of control people have forgotten what its all about.i hope everyone has a happy holiday this year,money or not.:)

What a bunch of grumpy old Scrooges around here. You don't need to spend a lot of money, or any at all, to give someone a gift. You reap what you sow, you know. So try to give a little happiness this year and you may actually find some in return.

I hate Christmas!

A sure way to do the right thing for the holidays, think back when you were young, what do you remember about the hoidays that was fun? I myself do not remember a specific gift I received, but I do remember spending a fun time with grandparents and parents and other relatives, having a large dinner and singing songs, now that is how we should spend our holidays, not all commercial like and charging too much on our charge cards. Memories are the best and a whole lot cheaper too!

MadeinUSA: Not so good for our local economy and all of your friends and neighbors who work here!

If I give gift cards, they go in a maze holder that must be solved before the recipient can remove the card (great for teenagers.) If not a maze holder, then I'll buy some godawful purse or outdated piece of clothing at Goodwill, tuck the gift card/certificate in a zipper compartment or pocket and wrap it up all pretty. When the recipient unwraps the ugly item, the shocked "ewwww" look on their face is my gift to me. ;-)

Well said, Jocose. For Christmas in the late '70s my mother-in-law wrote out all the family favorite recipes onto index cards and gave them to my husband (then a non-cooking bachelor.) She passed away a few years ago, but the cards are one of the things that keep her near and dear. To know she held the card and to see her unique handwriting....warm fuzzies. :)

Throughout the year I keep an eye out for some nice dry logs and "open" them up on my band saw. Then I look at the gorgeous exposed grain and listen carefully as the wood "talks to me". If I see highly figured grain that would make a great jewelry box, cribbage board or clock face for example, I set about creating it. Those are the best presents- the ones from the heart made with love.

wow..'setinmyways'.... I thought I was depressed!!! Im sorry you have it rough right now....

The Holidays or should I say what Holidays, they only ones that get the big gifts are the stores. They put out adds after adds and are kids see them and then they want the item. What ever happen one or two gifts, then you draw names for the rest of the family. What happen too the word church or god in Christmas? Not Wal-Walmart Sears or the Malls or Target or some areas Kmart.

Buy for the kiddo something special and then practical gifts for the family (jeans, shirts, socks etc...)

Gifts for kids only and simple ones.... Nothing expensive.... Adults exchanging gifts is a joke -- just buy what you want instead of someone giving you something you dont. Kids should be earning their own way and paying for their own things....... Blow Blow Blow

Thank you for your cheerful, uplifting post, setin. I think I need to lay down now.

Parents are dead, hate my family, so no presents needed. Last year bought for a friend and her kids, but she just likes me cause i am willing to support her, so this year her "boyfriends" can buy stuff. What a lonely and pathetic life I have, huh

I'm saving my money for the higher property taxes coming my way!

I turned to baking goodies or making fudge instead of buying gifts. I love to bake and this way I get the enjoyment of baking but not having to eat all the goodies. It is a win-win.

I do a lot less than I used to. We don't do any more for one family just mom and dad and draw names for the other family and the two kids get a gift.Used to buy for employee friends but have new job and am not going to do that here. It will be an easy xmas this year.

It's pretty sad, that so far, 45% of those polled do not have money for gifts. I am one of them...in addition to Christmas it's also my daughter's birthday; so for me, it's a double whammy.

Kohls in the WI Dells store was bringing out xmas on Tuesday. Cannot find decent candle/ accessories but I can get xmas in Sept. Don't they know it is xmas in "July". Sorry Sept- come on!!

I was stunned to see the Christmas trees up at Boston Store last weekend. Way too early!

The poll forgot to have an "I don't shop for any holiday" option. Businesses that advertise "Holiday" gifts before Halloween are disgusting. There should be a religion sales tax for using Christian mythology to hawk merchandise.

Humbug!

Gave up exchanging gifts a few years ago. Family members unemployed (not to mention way too commercialized).
...
Went back to basics. Spending time with family and recognizing the "reason for the season".

If I see something nice and on sale I will get it before the crazies come out ! ). I also have some gifts stashed for just in case I need a gift. I get these if I see good deals as well. So I can use some of that for gifts if needed.

I hate shopping including Christmas shopping. I ask people exactly what they want. Then I go to the store get it and leave as quickly as possible. If they can't be specific they get a gift certificate. I enjoy the Christmas season I just hate the shopping thing.

I buy four gifts - one for my parents, one for each of my two brothers, and one for my godson. Granted, I am not married and don't have children...

Your honesty and humor is refreshing. Enjoyed your post

We do the Christmas Club thing through the bank. I think we put away 25 bucks a week. It's way more than enough so the wife and I can not only go enjoy our shopping, but we'll often throw in a nice dinner and hotel to boot. We love to Christmas shop. If you're ever in a big hurry to get through the store, and get stuck behind a really slow couple taking up the whole aisle....it's probably us.