I had Tom Waits' entire discogrophy on shuffle as I was painting it. That might explain something.
The quotation is difficult to read in the photo, and is this: "When you have loved as she has loved, you grow old beautifully."
Holiday Stress & Spending
- Thread starter Gryffindorian
- Start date
The quotation is difficult to read in the photo, and is this: "When you have loved as she has loved, you grow old beautifully."
Aww! A dog is a great gift.
Hubby and I don't give each other gifts at Christmas; we save that for birthdays and Valentine's Day. We usually buy something for the house, or something we can both use. This year, I think we will get an exercise bike.
Thanks. My only caveat was that she has to pick the dog out. The dog I'd pick isn't necessarily the one she would pick.
We ignore Valentine's Day altogether. It was the sort of thing we worried about when we were single. We just do random nice things for each other from time to time.
We ignore Valentine's Day altogether. It was the sort of thing we worried about when we were single. We just do random nice things for each other from time to time.
A stationary one? In my experience, those become fantastic dust and clothes collectors.
Perhaps you two will be more discipled though!
Hubby never does random nice things---ever. I make damn sure that I at least get Valentine's Day.
A stationary one? In my experience, those become fantastic dust and clothes collectors.
^Well, I wanted an elliptical machine, but hubby wouldn't get one because he's too tall for most of them; his stride is much longer than most of those are made for.
But I would actually use the exercise bike, since I am at home all the time. Hubby, however, probably won't, as he's never home. He keeps saying he wants me to get on an exercise program, and that he'll do it, too, but we never do anything. So, at least the bike would be a start.
In theory.
I guess it might work if you stick it in front of a TV - but that would ruin what is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. 
Just buying for my kids (18 and 21) this year, and only one gift each. (Oh, and a small gift for my daughter's boyfriend, too.) So all told, my Christmas shopping should add up to less than $100.
Not a great year financially (but I still have so much to be thankful for and appreciate).
Not a great year financially (but I still have so much to be thankful for and appreciate).
I have decided that because i have two less people to buy for this year (my mother and brother) I will donate two presents to the Giving Tree for children in need, one suitable for a boy, the other for a girl. It will be fun to shop for children again.
Last edited:
I don't think you can extrapolate that it's a sad situation from that one piece of information. Some people just aren't spontaneous.
I don't think my husband and I are doing presents for each other this year. He's been wanting a new comp so I'm thinking we should just save up for that. I got my SIL some really cute, comfy, but still sexy pjs. We picked out some adorable clothes for my nephew yesterday, and my husband says he's going to take care of his brother's gift.
His parents don't want us doing presents for them, my family doesn't celebrate Christmas, and I'm not near any of my friends anymore so we won't be exchanging presents. Works for me. I do want to get my sis something nice for her bday which is the day after Christmas, though. I do love buying other people presents.
Saying shit to people is your early New Year's resolution, or something happened today that put you in a foul mood? Because you have been quite brusque today.
Sorry to bump up this thread, but I wanted to follow up in terms of projected vs. actual spending.
Here's how I did:
Family: My original budget was $600 -$700. I was within my budget with a total of $585.
Friends & Colleagues: $300 budget; actual $287, still within my budget.
I didn't include miscellaneous items like wrappings, food for parties, etc., only holiday presents.
Here's how I did:
Family: My original budget was $600 -$700. I was within my budget with a total of $585.
Friends & Colleagues: $300 budget; actual $287, still within my budget.
I didn't include miscellaneous items like wrappings, food for parties, etc., only holiday presents.
The final tally this year is around $1500. But $900 of that was a dog for my mom. We usually don't spend so much, but in the past year, my father and then her old dog died, so she's lonely.
Plus I got to spend a couple hours squeezing puppies yesterday, so it's a win win.
Plus I got to spend a couple hours squeezing puppies yesterday, so it's a win win.
Hmm, well here's what I posed upthread:
Turns out I spent less than expected on presents for others (about £100 total rather than the £300 I expected), largely because I got a good deal by buying the presents I needed en masse, and was able to skip a few people cos I didn't see them. I did get the suit I mentioned, but didn't get the phone. But I spent about the same I would have on the phone on other clothes, so overall, not far off the original total expected spend.
Although I didn't post up thread, I managed to spend about $100 less than I figured I would.
A
Amaris
Guest
Budget: $45
Total Spent: $43
On time and under budget!
Total Spent: $43
On time and under budget!
