I have done well for quite awhile on buying necessary purchases and knowing what is worth the money and what isnt. My husband, well hes still a work in progress! Yes, each Christmas I change more and more of opinions on gifts. Its frustrating to say the least. I wish our entire family were more mustachian - even a little! Theyre not, really nobody but us. We are the only ones who feel Christmas shouldnt be about gifts, maxing out credit cards or going into debt. Since we are still expected to give gifts (or else be shunned) we have a lot of strategic ideas that go into it. We start our Christmas shopping for the next year starting dec 26. I write out names, gift ideas based on hobbies and likes then go on the hunt. We buy on clearance, at garage sales, ebay, ect. Our budget, $5 per person! So the first year we did this, it failed somewhat. Gifts werent that great.. but since we have gotten good. Even if we buy from a yard sale, we only buy new in box items. Same with Craigslist. Yard sales are the best though. For example, this last Christmas I bought a brand new name brand decorative Christmas plate for my sister in law for only $1! She loves entertaining and I know she will use it. Then we bought her a clearanced bath/body gift set for $3! Anyways, its almost fun now compared to before when we spent more and got less. Its a challenge. Toughest is my husbands nephews. Theyre at the age where they outgrown toys and only wanting expensive gadgets.
We may soon finally say we no longer will give/get gifts and explain why we prefer not to. Actually, I have been really suggesting it more and more. We can have a great Christmas without presents.