Usually we buy for everybody, but since everyone in the family has been touched by financial strife, this year we are just buying for the kids. There are only 4 kids to buy for so it makes it alot easier than buying for eachother. 4 gifts with a $20 max. makes the holidays seems just a little bit brighter...Maria J.

I try to buy my two nephews something and give my step son money. But this year don't see that happening. I enjoy baking and cooking Christmas dinner even if it is just for me and J. Last year his mom and dad came over and ate with us.

we are not doing gifts really this year but I will still give to my kids grandchild and great niece. That will mostly be money so nothing to wrap which I miss. I will go to my daughters for christmas lunch

I don't know how I'm giong to do it; I'm unemployed and don't have the dough. hmmmm.....

Mostly buying for the kidlet this year.

l made cakes and sweets mostly and the christmas cards are photos l took the bigger pressies came from ebay or online some was vintage some new all was cheaper than the shops.

The heathens will NOT be getting anything this year so I certainly hope they enjoyed last years presents - teach their spoiled asses - the money I would be spending on them will be used instead to go to Vegas. Only present(s) bought will be for Soss

$300 on both my girls, $600 on my son, $200 on hubby, $20 bucks each for my niece and 3 nephews, $25 gift cards for my parents and sister, homemade chocolates for teachers, coworkers and friends. thank god for me working this year or christmas would be the typical $150 for each kid or less. we havent had a christmas like this ever so it should be fun. son gets extra spent on him because he is getting an xbox360 and accessories this year because i'm out of ideas for a 16 year old

I will spend the most on my son, a little something for hubby, we never get each other massive gifts - we can get gifts any time of year right? My nieces and nephews etc are all getting roughly the same amount spent on them just a small gift this year apart from my niece that lives with us, she'll get a little something extra

We don't have limits that we set usually but this year we will set a limit for each kid. I will also but for my mom which is so hard because she never uses what I but her so why buy her anything right?

I have no income at all this year. So usually I at least make something for my relatives but this year there will not even be that. But my family is understanding of my situation, and does not expect anything. As for my kids I'm thinking of finding an organization that donates toys. I hate to do it but I am truly in need of it this year. Even if I don't my kids are well taken care of, and they have plenty of toys as it is.

Year after year I've had to tell my family to please limit what they buy because I live in a small small one bedroom apartment and I don't have any where to put it all. My kids live at a boarding school and there's a limit to what they can have there. They do come home but so rarely so the toys will just go to waist here. Toys are nice and I don't want to rob my kids of a magical fun christmas but honestly there's a limit to every thing. It's finding that happy balance that's important because gifts aren't the only way to show and express love.

It's hard to buy for anyone in my family. If they want something, they go out and buy it. Christmas coming or not. I tend to random gift give. The middle of the year for no reason. That's me.

My husband and I are currently outcasts because we bought my mom a brand new plasma flat screen TV. She loves TV and hers sucked. Who knows how long it would've taken for my dad to replace it. So we decide she deserves this. Now both my sisters and their husbands are pissed and claiming they had the idea all along. Never did any of them breathe a word of it to us.

They all claim we're these devious scheming jackals who stole their idea. I call bullshit. I came up with the idea just a few days ago. And now she has her TV. And she's thrilled. She knows there's no f-ing conspiracy.

Fighting with my sisters and their husbands for Christmas sounds like fun. YAY. My husband is the most awesome, honorable and straightforward man you will ever meet. He is a genuinely good person and when my sis accused him of undermining and lying I wanted to cry. He's done so much for all of us. Ingrates.

I've just about finished my Christmas shopping. I buy for my husband and his family.

So far it's been something like;

- $300 hubby
- $200 mother in law
- $100 father in law
- $100 brother in law
- $150 sister in law

No kids here. But nieces and nephews. Homemade beanies and scarves for everyone. Toys for the little ones. Homemade chicken nuggets for their mamas.

Here at home. Well it's like two 50 year olds playing Santa Clause. I have bought so many gifts for him, I can't list them. When he said, "What is your problem about money?", I had to tell him. Sweetheart, there really is not a Santa. We really do have to pay for gifts. Hated doing it to him, because ya'll know we live in the Magic Kingdom.

P.S. I really do hope I get that cotton candy maker I asked Santa for.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

When it is all said and done with I will have spent about $200 on the grandchildren that live with me. An additional $100 spent on the rest of my grandchildren and $100 spent on my children. An addtl $50 spent on one of my sisters.