Comments on: The First Christmas Present You Should Buy

By: Andrea

Andrea — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:57:54 +0000

Another choice is to pay for Christmas all year 1/12 of your expected expense at a time. My credit union offers a Christmas Club that they keep in a separate savings account all year, and I write a check to this account each month for $47/mo (for me). In mid-November I get a check mailed to me, that I then go and cash. All of that money goes into an envelope. I put aside 10% to buy something for a child less fortunate (Angel Tree, Foster kids etc. that are the same age as my son). Then I let my son help with picking out items for this boy, and this year he suggested that we also pray for him and his family, which we did. When the money is gone for the family presents, shopping is done. For those who are still liking to live on the cash plan, it is a very tangible way to know how much more you can spend.

By: Teri Davis Newman

Teri Davis Newman — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:44:48 +0000

I make an outstanding BBQ sauce that everyone loves and you can’t get it anywhere but from me–and no amount of money can buy the love that goes into a food gift. I also make Amaretto cakes for gift that people fight over and it grew to a cottage industry when people who had sampled them started calling me to BUY them from me! There’s a website called the Rum Cake fairy and she uses the same recipe I use and sells her cakes for $40 plus shipping and that’s fine but I sell mine for $25 and they cost about $5 or so to make which includes labor. I have to put a limit on the number of cakes I can do every year or I’d be baking around the clock! The point is, most people have everything they want/need and something delicious that is a treat is always appreciated. I’d rather have a food gift than anything because it’s a gift from the heart that money can’t buy.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 15:23:07 +0000

What you said is true…doing something for/with someone on your list is often more appreciated than anything. This year, one of my neices announced she was vegan at Thanksgiving…so when our family got together the other day for our christmas time together, I made her 3 different vegan options. As it was, all the relatives made the usual…ham, baked beans, mac and cheese…all with things she won’t eat anymore. she was thrilled to see on the table several new options for her meal, and so, until she says she’s not a vegan, I imagine I’ll continue to prepare these for her. When we were all saying goddbye, she gave me a hug, and said thanks for cooking for her, and I could really tell she appreciated a great deal what I had done…much better than another gift card.

By: PiFreak

PiFreak — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 02:45:19 +0000

P.S. Just read the comment – My mom makes Kahlua every year, and it’s the most loved gift by almost everyone.

By: PiFreak

PiFreak — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 02:43:36 +0000

Definately homemade gifts are the best. This year, I bought picture frames at dollar tree for everyone on my list ($10), some cheap paint at 4/$100 ($2), and then painted them, and put their names on them. They’re collage picture frames, so I’ll put one picture in each, and leave the rest up to them ($3 at Walgreens). I have leftover paint for other crafts, and have only spent $15 on everyone. While at dollar tree last year the week after christmas, I picked up 2 rolls of wrapping paper for a dollar, and wrapped my gifts this year with that ($1). The nice thing about this is that then at dollar tree, if I pick up four other things for the four most important people on my list, I’ve still only spent $20 on everyone on my list.

By: annab

annab — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 20:27:18 +0000

I love the idea of making gifts, especially little foody things. When I was a kid, my great grandma used to everyone cookies (by mail) and it was THE most anticipated item in the christmas season. Especially if you have your “signature” item that can be used up (so you can do it again in a year.) Things like herb vinegars, or flavored oils that are difficult to make in small batches, but good if you give the same gift to everyone. I love getting stuff like that, because you can enjoy it and use it up (instead of gifts you can’t really use that just take up space.)