| We made a budget for our Christmas
shopping and said that this year we will stick to it because
of the financial problems and we can't go over it so we started
making our lists of where the money will go.
Everyone starts with the Christmas present list and this
year many will be cut from the list because we just can't
afford presents for everyone and deciding who will be cut
from the list is one of the hardest things to do. There is
one thing you can do for those who won't be on the Christmas
present list and that's to make them a homemade Christmas
card or make them a homemade gift of cookies and candy.
Family members in the immediate family always get some sort
of Christmas gift from you and that is another budget problem
in what to give. For father you could give a box of hankies
with his initial on them and mother could receive a nice little
pin for her blouse or jacket. One thing to remember in gift
giving is it's not the cost of the gift but the thought behind
giving it and all those who receive a gift from you will love
it because you picked it out and gave it.
At work there was a name drawing for each one to be able
to get a present plus everyone pitching in to get the boss
a gift and a limit was set for the gift of the one who's name
you drew and so much for the boss, so that is all figured
into your budget as it has been talked about since last Christmas.
And you're invited to a Christmas dinner at one of the family's
homes and it's their turn to do it this year. The cost for
you is a bottle of wine because you're not fixing the dinner
this year, so this also was put into your budget. Things are
looking good for the budget this year.
Allowed in the budget last year after Christmas, when all
the decorations went on sale at 50% to 80% off, you bought
so many of them so there really wasn't many left to buy and
even the wrapping paper was bought last year at these sales
as well as candles and ribbon which covered all the items
you would need this year for Christmas including an artificial
Christmas tree that looks real and that is a cost saving item
every year at Christmas time.
One of the favorite things to do during the holidays is bake,
making cookies, bread and even candy, so all the ingredients
for doing these things are added into the budget and because
decorations were bought last year at the after Christmas sales,
there is a good budget amount to be able to purchase the makings
for these items which include flour, sugar, spices, eggs and
milk to name a few of the ingredients and then to determine
how much of each is needed for the seasons baking.
Christmas this year is going to be very special like all
other Christmas celebrations and the planning was handled
very well.
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