Yesterday I put a link in my blog to a website about America’s Poor.  I’m making an assumption that most of you who are reading this are not in that classification since you are able to pay for internet service to be reading my blog.  I’ve always felt that many of the poor in America have so much more than the poor of other countries.  The information even pointed out that

Now… back to Christmas.  A client was feeling bad yesterday because she is being “forgotten” at Christmas by her grown children.  She is older, and has been on a rather limited income for several years.  She owns her home, but lives on a modest income.  She is one of America’s poor.  She was planning on making something for each of her children, grand children, and great grandchildren for Christmas, since she can no longer afford to purchase even modest gifts for all 50 members of her family.  Her Children and Grandchildren all live in different parts of the country, and she spends Christmas alone.. None come to see her at Christmas, (and none send her gifts) and she is reluctant to go visit them because it would leave her mother (in a nursing home) alone.  I suggested that she forgo the handmade gifts and purchased gifts, and use the money to go visit one of her children or Grandchildren during the season instead. 

How many of you receive a gift from your parents every year at Christmas?  How many of you make sure you send your parents a nice gift each year?  How many of you make it a point to visit with your parents some time during the holiday season?  Are your parents or grandparents alone at Christmas?  Think about these things, and this year be sure to include your parents and grandparents in your plans and your gifting.    

My husband was sharing interesting statistics with me last night about America’s poor.  I’ve been in other countries and have seen poor.  I have also been in parts of America where the standard of living seems VERY poor.  I have clients that are “classed” as poor by American standards, and yet even the poorest of my clients has so much.  I want to share this web site with you.  I think you’ll find some of these statistics very interesting as well.  http://www.heritage.org/Research/Welfare/bg2064.cfm

My husband and I just spent a few days away to celebrate our 40^th wedding anniversary.  We chose years ago to spend time with each other to mark special occasions rather than purchase “stuff” to give to one another.  We still give a small gift to each other at Christmas, but anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine’s Day and other gifting occasions are marked with things like holding hands, taking walks, or visiting.  I say this even though this entire blog has been about gifting on a budget. 

I believe that too many people give or receive gifts based on the wrong kind of feelings and expectations.  I know that I used to.  I had this unhealthy and incorrect assumption that if I gave a lavish gift that I would be more loved and appreciated by the recipient.  Instead, I just set up expectations that seemed to require more expensive and lavish gifts each year.  Worse yet, it eventually became very clear to me that the gifts really weren’t appreciated.  Many recipients simply took the gifts back to the stores after the holiday and had a spending frenzy on me. 

Over the past few years, I have made much wiser spending decisions on gifts.  I set a budget, of course, and it is usually quite modest.  I actually make several gifts, or try to find unique items.  I will be sharing some of my favorite web sites off and on, so you can find some of these artists and small Internet businesses.  I also practice what I write about, and buy or make my gifts all year long.  The only gifts I purchase during the month of December are those special little things that the children decide they must have.  Even then, if it’s just something they see on TV and nothing they’ve ever shown an interest in before.. I don’t purchase it for them. 

Spend some time this week thinking about why you give gifts.  Examine your feelings about giving and receiving.  You might be very surprised by your findings, and it may change the way and the amount you give in the future.

Review your calendar for August, and budget how much you will be spending for each gifting occasion.  If you normally purchase a Christmas present for those same people, plan on purchasing the Christmas gift at the same time.  Remember to record the purchase in your book.

Visit your local library for craft books and do-it-yourself books.  There are also thousands of free patterns and craft instructions on the Internet.  At the library, you can also “borrow” Cd’s, magazines, and other media.  You’ll save money by borrowing rather than buying, and have a fun outing as well.  Every time you borrow a DVD or CD, put $3 in the savings tin.