10 Tips for CHRISTMAS SAVINGS

Here's a little peek into how our family budgets during this time of year. I know these tips aren't for everyone, but we have used them all in our family over the years, and I'm not ashamed to share them!

[kcotjo]

Thank you for this great video Kristen!! Our two families have not exchanged Christmas or birthday gifts for years!!! We all have what we need and more!! Our children know they are not to get us gifts for Christmas or birthdays. We have even cut back on cards. Instead we ask for a note or letter. NO card buying!!! As far as Christmas, we give our two sons and their wives money to be used as they need and generally they use the money for a family experience. We have 6 grandchildren and we give them each one gift. We have been giving them either one gift each or for the past couple years we have done an experience as a gift such as a zoo pass, trampoline park visit, or arcade, bowling, water park. They love it and thus they have less stuff in their homes. I have been downsizing my home, decluttering etc. for the past couple of years and take everything to our local thrift stores. The thrift stores benefit our community. It is so freeing to spend less and give the gifts of our time and attention. You are 100% right in everything you have stated in this video!!

[HappilyOrganizedChaos]

My sister in law and I decided years ago when we both had only one child that we would forgo the gifts but instead do something together. So now instead of stressing over buying something we all spend the day doing something together, skating and dinner or sledding etc. the kids enjoy it just as much and love spending time with their aunt and uncle and cousins and isn’t that the real reason for the season ❤

[shellypontz]

This was a great video Kristen! I'm showing this video to our children at Thanksgiving dinner today...where we will all discuss the gift giving plan for Christmas. Our 4 children are all professionals and all have much more money than my husband and I do, we also have 8 grandchildren! They "expect" a great Christmas! Though money is no object for all of them, it most definitely is for their dad and I. The stress is puts on us is crazy and my husband is usually quite grouchy the entire holiday season. My husband and I decided to do a little experiment for Christmas. We are giving all of our grandchildren and kids a stocking like we received as kids in the 60's and 70's which consisted of an insulated sock, with an orange, peanuts in the shell, brachs hard candies ( which stuck to the inside of our sock) a fun pad, a toothbrush and a large peppermint stick and on a good year a pair of mittens too! We just want to see their It should be hilarious! We will still give them a good stocking, but we want them all to realize how good they really have it, if only for a brief moment! When we were kids, we got 1 affordable toy, and a pair of pajamas and a game to how times have

[robinnieto]

My husband and I are a one income family. Every paycheck we set aside a set amount of money. This is our Christmas fund. We have 2 children, their spouses, and 6 grandchildren. We determine from that money how much we can spend on each. Every grandchild gets the same amount, our 4 adult children get a larger amount and the rest is for us to get each other something. Some years we have more and some less but this works for us.
Great tips Kirsten, thanks so much for sharing.

[katiesettingsgaard]

I'm a practical person too and these tips are great! I wish more people thought this way. I would not mind at all getting thrifted gifts. My wardrobe and home is 90% thrifted. There are so many great things out there in thrift stores, new isn't always best. I can't understand why more people don't thrift. Love you style, channel, and outlook on life. 😊

[amyhoover]

I love, love, love that you put this video out there! It goes against everything that one is taught nowadays! Very old school thinking that is missed! Life has become about "things" and "more is better" and that couldn't be further from the truth. Thank you for bringing attention to this subject that should come as common sense but unfortunately does not to some. God bless!

[leahpyland]

Kristen, great ideas. Don’t apologize for your ideas. People follow you because they see something that appeals to them! Be blessed!

[sheilapellicane]

Love this idea! I use to be a massive gift giver for my grandchildren but no more. You are so right my granddaughter would keep ripping them open and then said "Is that all mema". This year I got her clothes with a game and an art easel where she can create. I am retired and on a fixed income so things will be different now.

[jujumama]

In a way in so thankful that my son never expects anything for Christmas or has a wish list for Christmas. I’m not sure if it is because I’m a single mom and he doesn’t want to put me in a difficult situation. I do get him something or a couple of things and all these years he appreciates everything that I am able to provide him. He never complains. On this Thanksgiving day I praise the Lord for everything.

This is indeed a great video Kristen! ❤️

[jannier]

Great advice! I bought a sweet tea set (teapot and cups) at a resale shop. We got invited to a party that was doing white elephant gifts (honestly, I dislike the concept). I loved the tea set, but decided to give that. The lady who got it was so thrilled. I volunteered at our church school and her little girl recognized my name and said, “ your the lady who gave my mom her pretty tea set!” Whenever I run into the lady, she mentions the tea set. Such a simple thing was a big blessing and a continuing connection. When I get a gift I don’t really like, I see beyond the gift to the generosity and thoughtfulness and the love. I can decide to donate it and that blesses someone else to be able to buy it. So- the gift blessed yet another person. My family was always loving in gift giving. I have seriously had trauma from my husbands family with comments that my gift was stupid or comparing to the expensive gifts the rich family members gave them. My husband is practical. I bought him new sports socks and undershirts and he will seriously be so happy! 😂

[glorianelson]

This is great advice Kristen. In past years I've given things to family members just to have them put aside and never see them again. A few years ago, I decided to have my family give me a list of wants or needs like you suggested. It works so much better, and I don't throw money away. There's absolutely nothing wrong with giving or receiving thrifted gifts. Quality is so much better! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

[tamib]

Pitching in with helping out or food is so important! Thank for sharing! I like buying three gifts for close family and I try to think of mind, body and soul which is close to what you mentioned. When I was first married, I bought Christmas gifts for 43 people! That was a lot, especially when we were putting ourselves through college. I love the Secret Santa idea!!

[rhondagreen]

I agree with every single word! I am an empty nester with six grandchildren. Last year I had a tough time preparing for the season. I gave a card with money and put zero thought into it. I would love to start gifting experiences. We shall see.

[barbaraduncan]

Thank you for the practical list of things…we need to get back to the basics. Everyone, please put down the devices and truly enjoy one another.

[angelarose]

Love this video so much! It's so much healthier for me mentally to go into this season with realistic and practical expectations. Christmas is about being together and sharing time and experiences, not about the gifts. Thank you for being honest and thoughtful about the content you put out! ❤️

[katherineleboeuf]

I completely agree with you, so practical. Plus it teaches children what the holiday is about.
Been a thrifty Mom for over 30 years and I believe it made a huge difference for myself and my loved ones. Let's not forget the environment 👍

[k.crosbie]

Kristen- You show such wisdom at a young age. Thank you for all these practical and wise tips

[goodehome]

Hearing you describe gifting \ receiving as a practical person resonated so much with me. I'm not a clothing or jewelry person so it's hard for me to express to others what I enjoy and would love to receive and since gifts are not a love language for me I often cringe when someone spends too much on a gift for me or over does the gifting to me because it makes me uncomfortable. Thanks so much for putting this out there. It may not be for everyone, but I totally hear what you're saying. Thanks, happy Thanksgiving!

[thecuratedhome]

I love this! Another non traditional gift I like to do is to print photos! I feel like now with phones we don’t have a lot of printed photos, so for friends and family I will print a couple photos at Walgreens for them and then put them in a holiday card and call it a day!

[gailann]

Ignore the trolls Kristen. God blessed you with your platform. Your channel is helping people, don't let the trolls steal your hard work, your joy and your accomplishment. These people we all know about love to steal your joy. Do not give them their satisfaction. Great video. Happy Thanksgiving!