Christmas tradition: pinching pennies at all costs
December 2nd, 2008 by CatCongratulations!
If you're reading this, you've survived Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which marks the official start of the U.S. holiday shopping season.
And if you're like most Americans, you've been searching for deals this Christmas, thanks to a struggling economy that has us waiting in long lines outside big-box retailers like Best Buy and Circuit City to get the best price for gifts on our shopping list.
The season has already driven some of us to sheer madness. A 34-year-old worker was trampled to death in a Wal-Mart in Long Island, N.Y. as rabid shoppers barged into the store to take advantage of discounted vacuum cleaners and DVDs. At a Toys "R" Us in Palm Desert, Calif., two men were shot dead after an argument in the store.
'Tis the season?
I hardly think so.
Still, we've been driven to spend money this holiday. So much so, the National Retail Federation reported that total spending for the four-day holiday weekend was up an estimated 18 percent to $41 billion from last year.
Is this the result of this nearly yearlong recession? Or are we just spending for the sake of deep discounts and cheap electronics?
According to the annual "Christmas Price Index," compiled by PNC Wealth Management, it's gonna cost $86,609 for all the items in the carol, "Twelve Days of Christmas," up $8,508 (or 10.9 percent) from last year. So those lords-a-leaping and drummers-drumming are getting more expensive.
What are we supposed to do?
Be smart about your gift list this year. Remember, it's not the gift — or the price of the gift — that counts.
Anyone got creative, cost-saving suggestions to share?
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SHOPPING DAYS LEFT: 23
TODAY'S GIFT IDEA: Miss Oops Boob Tube
PRICE: $25. Comes in S/M and M/L in black, white or beige. Buy online or at In My Closet or Adore (both at Kahala Mall) or at Modern Pacific Weddings at 3620 Wai'alae Ave.
THE GIST: This modern bandeau — made in stretchable lace — is a perfect cleavage protector for those plunging V-neck tops. And it stays put. (Trust me, I have one!)
THE ADDED BONUS: It's not bulky, so it looks like you're layering but you're not.
BEST FOR: Fashionistas, best friends who are hard to shop for, and that co-worker who tends to show a little too much at the office.
Tags: Best Buy, Black Friday, Boob Tube, Christmas, Cyber Monday, gifts, holiday, Honolulu, Miss Oops, retailers, shopping, spending, toth, Toys R Us, tradition, Wal-Mart
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:48 am
Dark chocolate is always a good thing to give this season. Spice it up with roses and diamonds, and it's well received.
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:21 am
....'tis not the what we save during Xmas, but what we save throughout the year. Or something like that.
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:31 am
Consider a "handmade from the heart" Christmas! Many of our friends make favorite cookies, cakes, chex mix, etc...or even crafting items! I agree with what you said about it's not what it cost, it's the thought that counts...
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:00 am
remember the song the little drummer boy (and the movie) the boy had no gift to bring..all he could do was play a song on his drum. (the willie K. version is awesome). and this was for baby jesus,the newborn king!
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:03 am
CAT,
Is there ever too much decollet'e ? For the guys there should be a okole toobe. "A modern bandeau made of stretchable polyester with logos of your favorite beer, as a modesty panel for butt cracks when he is bending/squatting down."
I do not like shopping in a mass of humanity...gift cards is my thing. Saves time and no needs to make a return if it doesn't fit. Also is great for last minute shopping.
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:22 am
Good Morning Cat!
What a weekend of shopping. Gotta work now to pay off all those credit cards....
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:45 am
Speaking of that 34-year-old trampled to death, it makes you wonder when humanity didnt care about eachother? Did they not see or felt someone under their feet while running to get that "discounted" item? When did materialistic things become so much more important than a person laying there still? It's sad really and now, they cant find the "people" who were responsible for it.
I would like to see some cost-effective gift ideas. I actually budget a certain dollar amount to all the people on my list, when I know for sure that they'll like a certain item and it's in the price range - great. If I cant find anything - gift card is the way to go! That way, at the end of your list, you already know how much you're spending
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:02 am
Love Annoddah Dave's response to the "Boob Tube!" This year, my friends and I pulled names and sent a price limit. Instead of buying 6 gifts, we only have to buy one. I also asked my friends to stop exchanging gifts this year for our kids. Most of us have at least one kid starting college next year so we thought it would be best to not spend excessively.
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:05 am
My strategy, at the holidays and throughout the year, is to avoid the mall as much as possible. I always seem to spend impulsively and frivolously when I'm caught up the shopping "experience."
I replenish my stock of children's toys throughout the year, whenever I spot super deals online (e.g., 40% off) -- so I'm always ready for the holidays and all those last minute kids' parties! For my gal pals, I realize much of the pizazz is in the packaging, so I bought some chic wrapping from Pricebusters to jazz up the little gift-sets I put together: candles and aromatherapy from Ross', bath and body products, reusable shopping totes, and some homemade journals. For the family, we're publishing albums of our wedding photos -- not cheap, but a nice way to kill two birds with one stone (we've owed them these for months now)!
This rough economy does a great service in prompting us to think creatively about our gift-giving and to remember that the love from friends and family does not need to be bought. It's frightening to think that many individuals are still paying off debt from LAST Christmas! Don't be one of them next year!
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:07 am
Cat -
My suggestion ... gift certificates ... no, not the store bought ones ... personal home-made gift certificates ... they can be for anything that you wouldn't mind doing yourself - a personal massage, car cleaning and waxing, yard work, baby sitting, puppy or dog sitting too ... you get the idea. The cost is your time and effort. Well, maybe this type of gift is reserved for the special people in your life.
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:12 am
I don't need a Boob Tube. I might need a manssiere.
December 2nd, 2008 at 10:18 am
Cat, I checked out that link to Miss Oops..... interesting stuff. Obviuosly it's intended for the female gender. I didn't realize women had all of those "wardrobe" problems. Hah!
Our family went to drawing names for Christmas. There are about 20 of us if you include all the brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws. Way more affordable that way plus you can get that one person a real good gifts(s). Of course the keiki's get gifts from everyone.
December 2nd, 2008 at 10:47 am
boobs . . .
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:46 am
Here's a cost-saving tip: just give gifts to the kids in your life. Adults no need to really celebrate Christmas. Or if you really have to, just buy'em a plate lunch and talk story a little bit. But then again, could just do that throughout the year anyways.
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:51 am
i heard people were pretty aggressive at the walmart here, too
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
enlarge and frame photos of friends and family that you have saved to your computer files. It's always a pretty good/inexpensive gift.
wow.....the boob tube would come in pretty handy for a few uncles i have that grind poi by the pound...and eat lau lau for appetizers
December 2nd, 2008 at 3:12 pm
how about a nice bottle of wine?or something different like kona coffee flavored liquer.or different flavored beer from micro brews,i know theres a lilikoi beer. a stocking of mini assortment of jim beam and the like.not promoting excessive drinking or anything,but for the connisouer(sp),who would really appreciate something different and something really good,AND something they could share with you!or an assortment of different flavored coffees. collector bottes of coke.food and drink are always good gifts and theres plenny to choose from.
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:05 pm
These are great ideas! Thanks for sharing!