Comments on: What Would You Do? http://www.frugalupstate.com/2009/11/what-would-you-do-5.html Use what you have, get creative and save! Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:08:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: What would you give up this Christmas? | Our Frugal Journey http://www.frugalupstate.com/2009/11/what-would-you-do-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-17830 What would you give up this Christmas? | Our Frugal Journey Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:13:29 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=2311#comment-17830 [...] when I happened upon this post by Jenn over at Frugal Upstate, I was intrigued. She asked her readers if they were going to eliminate one Christmas tradition, [...] [...] when I happened upon this post by Jenn over at Frugal Upstate, I was intrigued. She asked her readers if they were going to eliminate one Christmas tradition, [...]

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.frugalupstate.com/2009/11/what-would-you-do-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-16945 Jennifer Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:14:50 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=2311#comment-16945 I am right there with you on the Christmas cards. We have whittled down our list as low as it can go and the past couple of years I have had people question why we didn't send them a card - oops! I just don't like doing them. I am right there with you on the Christmas cards. We have whittled down our list as low as it can go and the past couple of years I have had people question why we didn’t send them a card – oops! I just don’t like doing them.

]]> By: Laurie http://www.frugalupstate.com/2009/11/what-would-you-do-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-16936 Laurie Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:49:01 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=2311#comment-16936 Two years ago I gave up traveling. It was terrible pulling the kids away from all the things they wanted to play with and do just so we could get in the car and try to visit everyone. No more. We stay in our pajamas all day and listen to christmas music, eat whenever we want and just relax and enjoy spending a nice quiet day together. Our house is always open to anyone who wants to visit. It is very calm and all the driving stress is gone. Two years ago I gave up traveling. It was terrible pulling the kids away from all the things they wanted to play with and do just so we could get in the car and try to visit everyone. No more. We stay in our pajamas all day and listen to christmas music, eat whenever we want and just relax and enjoy spending a nice quiet day together. Our house is always open to anyone who wants to visit. It is very calm and all the driving stress is gone.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.frugalupstate.com/2009/11/what-would-you-do-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-16793 Sarah Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:35:25 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=2311#comment-16793 Travelling!! We live far from all family, and it is a headache to travel w/ 3 kids under 5. We stay home about every other year, and then the guilt sets in. And there we go, with 3 kids, a dog, a playpen, a stroller, all those suitcases, and gifts, and heavy coats, and snacks, and books, and everything else we can cram into the car, and listen to the kids holler at the back of my head for 12 hours. =) Travelling!! We live far from all family, and it is a headache to travel w/ 3 kids under 5. We stay home about every other year, and then the guilt sets in. And there we go, with 3 kids, a dog, a playpen, a stroller, all those suitcases, and gifts, and heavy coats, and snacks, and books, and everything else we can cram into the car, and listen to the kids holler at the back of my head for 12 hours. =)

]]> By: Cherie http://www.frugalupstate.com/2009/11/what-would-you-do-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-16791 Cherie Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:24:05 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=2311#comment-16791 I would NOT give up sending Christmas cards. We have moved around a few times and there were really good friends in each place we lived. Also, we live apart from our families. Cards can be stressful, so I try to get them done early. Usually we take a good photo of the kids or all of us during summer vacation. Before Thanksgiving I write a letter about what we have been up to, add the photo, and print them out. If you buy colored envelopes and pretty paper on clearance after the holidays they won't cost much. My husband prints the addresses on envelopes from the computer. Then I get the whole family involved. My husband and I add personal notes (if not done already some evening), and the kids fold, load, & seal the envelopes. then add a stamp and sticker (fun for the youngest).I really feel good when this is done. The stamps cost about $40 for all we send, but I enjoy keeping in touch with old friends and family. For most of them it is the only time of the year that happens. I love opening Christmas cards that we recieve and hearing what is going on in my old friends' lives. I am disappointed when a card just has a signature or if I don't get one at all. Sometimes I think of not sending to some I haven't heard from in a while, but then I remember that Christmas is a time of giving. If I can't give some of my time (and a little money)to people I care about, then why bake, or have a party, or buy gifts, or do Christmas at all. We could all just celebrate Jesus (or whatever holiday you celebrate)by going to church or praying and skip everything else. For those of you that gave up sending cards - do you enjoy getting them? Maybe you shouldn't open any you get in the mail because those friends didn't get to hear from you! Maybe you could cut back to those you really don't want to lose touch with. You could even send notes in January when life is quieter. But it is sad to give up brightening someone else's day, especially when people are easily prone to depression or stress. Try to keep card giving less stressful, but please don't give up on it. I would NOT give up sending Christmas cards. We have moved around a few times and there were really good friends in each place we lived. Also, we live apart from our families. Cards can be stressful, so I try to get them done early. Usually we take a good photo of the kids or all of us during summer vacation. Before Thanksgiving I write a letter about what we have been up to, add the photo, and print them out. If you buy colored envelopes and pretty paper on clearance after the holidays they won’t cost much. My husband prints the addresses on envelopes from the computer. Then I get the whole family involved. My husband and I add personal notes (if not done already some evening), and the kids fold, load, & seal the envelopes. then add a stamp and sticker (fun for the youngest).I really feel good when this is done. The stamps cost about $40 for all we send, but I enjoy keeping in touch with old friends and family. For most of them it is the only time of the year that happens. I love opening Christmas cards that we recieve and hearing what is going on in my old friends’ lives. I am disappointed when a card just has a signature or if I don’t get one at all. Sometimes I think of not sending to some I haven’t heard from in a while, but then I remember that Christmas is a time of giving. If I can’t give some of my time (and a little money)to people I care about, then why bake, or have a party, or buy gifts, or do Christmas at all. We could all just celebrate Jesus (or whatever holiday you celebrate)by going to church or praying and skip everything else. For those of you that gave up sending cards – do you enjoy getting them? Maybe you shouldn’t open any you get in the mail because those friends didn’t get to hear from you! Maybe you could cut back to those you really don’t want to lose touch with. You could even send notes in January when life is quieter. But it is sad to give up brightening someone else’s day, especially when people are easily prone to depression or stress. Try to keep card giving less stressful, but please don’t give up on it.

]]> By: Michelle http://www.frugalupstate.com/2009/11/what-would-you-do-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-16758 Michelle Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:13:40 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=2311#comment-16758 Please don't call me Scooge but we don't do cards and we don't put up a tree or "decorate". We stopped the cards a few years back when I realized that with our unlimted long distance, those that we don't see over the holidays or exchange gifts with made more sense to call them even if I didn't speak to them directly but left a short message wishing them a wonderful holiday season (free) and since we are never at our own home on Christmas (or even days leading up to it, there seemed to be no point in putting up the tree for the cat to enjoy while we were gone. Our daughter has a small 3 ft tree in her room with her own personal ornaments that she enjoys decorating and having and I don't have to stress about it. For decorations, we put up our Christmas season flag at the front door, and my mom quilts and has made a number of lovely "Christmas" quilts (lap quilts that I toss over the couch, table runners for the dining room and small tossable quited items that I place on the breakfast bar and coffee table). It still seems Christmas-ey and all I have to do when it is time to undecorate is toss them in the washer and fold and put in the trunk for next year. Much easier than stressing over the details! Please don’t call me Scooge but we don’t do cards and we don’t put up a tree or “decorate”. We stopped the cards a few years back when I realized that with our unlimted long distance, those that we don’t see over the holidays or exchange gifts with made more sense to call them even if I didn’t speak to them directly but left a short message wishing them a wonderful holiday season (free) and since we are never at our own home on Christmas (or even days leading up to it, there seemed to be no point in putting up the tree for the cat to enjoy while we were gone. Our daughter has a small 3 ft tree in her room with her own personal ornaments that she enjoys decorating and having and I don’t have to stress about it. For decorations, we put up our Christmas season flag at the front door, and my mom quilts and has made a number of lovely “Christmas” quilts (lap quilts that I toss over the couch, table runners for the dining room and small tossable quited items that I place on the breakfast bar and coffee table). It still seems Christmas-ey and all I have to do when it is time to undecorate is toss them in the washer and fold and put in the trunk for next year. Much easier than stressing over the details!

]]> By: Chrissy http://www.frugalupstate.com/2009/11/what-would-you-do-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-16750 Chrissy Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:38:41 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=2311#comment-16750 I quit sending Christmas cards 4 years ago and none of my friends or relatives have ever commented on it. I have less stress and less costs (postage 44 cents apiece!) which makes me happier. I quit sending Christmas cards 4 years ago and none of my friends or relatives have ever commented on it. I have less stress and less costs (postage 44 cents apiece!) which makes me happier.

]]> By: Amyrlin http://www.frugalupstate.com/2009/11/what-would-you-do-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-16749 Amyrlin Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:25:46 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=2311#comment-16749 I am currently observing all of the commercialism with Christmas because I work in retail. I personally am cutting out anything that makes me stress and enjoy the baking with my kids instead of being up all night baking for friends and coworkers, I am not sending out cards this year, and I am not shopping every week until Christmas, which is hard to do because I end up over spending. I am already done with the shopping for the kids with the exception of the stocking stuffers. I think I am going to focus on making some stockings for other children in need. I loved this post !!! I agree with Christina on Thanksgiving. I am currently observing all of the commercialism with Christmas because I work in retail. I personally am cutting out anything that makes me stress and enjoy the baking with my kids instead of being up all night baking for friends and coworkers, I am not sending out cards this year, and I am not shopping every week until Christmas, which is hard to do because I end up over spending. I am already done with the shopping for the kids with the exception of the stocking stuffers. I think I am going to focus on making some stockings for other children in need. I loved this post !!! I agree with Christina on Thanksgiving.

]]> By: Christina @ Northern Cheapskate http://www.frugalupstate.com/2009/11/what-would-you-do-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-16748 Christina @ Northern Cheapskate Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:08:02 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=2311#comment-16748 Honestly, I would give up all the gifts... I just want to spend time with my family... I hate the commercialism of the holiday. But my husband and the kiddos (and all of hubby's extended family) adore all the gift giving, so I'm stuck. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday... no gifts, great food, meaningful family conversations... Honestly, I would give up all the gifts… I just want to spend time with my family… I hate the commercialism of the holiday. But my husband and the kiddos (and all of hubby’s extended family) adore all the gift giving, so I’m stuck.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday… no gifts, great food, meaningful family conversations…

]]> By: Amy Dunn http://www.frugalupstate.com/2009/11/what-would-you-do-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-16740 Amy Dunn Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:58:20 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=2311#comment-16740 Jenn, I absolutely LOVE this post idea. I may have to borrow it! As for me, I have given up over-the-top decorating in favor of simplicity. Gone are the lights in the windows (that kept tipping over), gone are the reindeer on the lawn, gone are the trees in the play room and kitchen. Now it's just the tree in the living room, my Dickens Village in the dining room, wreaths on the front door and the Nativity. Simple. As for Christmas cards, I, too, have stressed over these in years past. In especially stressful years, I've skipped them and written a two-year recap the next. And I've even sent Happy New Year's cards or Valentine's greetings. Jenn,

I absolutely LOVE this post idea. I may have to borrow it!

As for me, I have given up over-the-top decorating in favor of simplicity. Gone are the lights in the windows (that kept tipping over), gone are the reindeer on the lawn, gone are the trees in the play room and kitchen. Now it’s just the tree in the living room, my Dickens Village in the dining room, wreaths on the front door and the Nativity. Simple.

As for Christmas cards, I, too, have stressed over these in years past. In especially stressful years, I’ve skipped them and written a two-year recap the next. And I’ve even sent Happy New Year’s cards or Valentine’s greetings. ]]>