How many times have I gone into a store with the best intention of buying a present for someone else and coming out with something for me...LOL...I'm like you Anno, I SAY I won't buy myself anything from mid-November until after Christmas. But alas...temptation is everywhere...

It wasn't so hard this year, being so scattered and hectic, I didn't have much time or inclination to do any more shopping than I absolutely had to (in fact, did much of it online this year), so I ended up buying LOTS of gifts for everyone else and nothing for me. Even had to cancel my hair appointment on Monday - had it booked for weeks, but wouldn't you know it, the only day I had something special booked for myself and that's the day out of the entire month that my brother's CAT scan gets booked! Oh well, I'm sure hubby can stand these bad hair days for another few weeks! (I don't even look in the mirror anymore).

That's the way I tend to shop. One for you and one for me.

I try to save money in the Fall to accomodate my Christmas budget, taking into account job bonus which helps greatly. However, there are so many bargains that I see for myself, and have bought myself a few things and keep a list for after holiday sales! I set limits on the nieces/nephews, they are so spoiled and don't fully realize the intrinsic value of Christmas -- I enjoy the time and effort into selecting and wrapping their presents, only to have them ripped open and set aside for the next in a blink!

Anne, I'm glad to hear that at least one person sticks to their budget.

Seems like many others, we do the same thing. After the holiday, we say that next year we're cutting back. Cutting nieces, nephews, etc., but then I see cute little inexpensive somethings and begin all over again. I love finding the perfect gift for people. That's the fun part for me.

Okay, I broke my promise today. I met a client at a coffee shop and on the way out, I walked by one of my favorite little shops and they were going out of business. Oh, drat. I ended up stopping in and buying 3 tops I have been eyeing for some time. They were on sale and an extra 50% off the sale price. Had to buy them. Now over budget for the month.

Budget...with a new baby granddaughter this Christmas??? No way!! I am having the time of my life!

Pam, I found books today in the bookstore that I had to buy and mine isn't even born yet. They had these nice books for $4 each, but buy 3 and get one free. I got Grimms Fairy Tales, Alice in Wonderland, Heidi and Little Women. I'm going to put them away for her.

Plus, I bought a big book of fairy tales to keep here so I can read to her.

I am not good at sticking to a holiday budget. With 6 kids
and seven grandkids and more that we love to spoil, it is just
too hard. Plus, alot of them have December birthdays so add
that to the mix. The holidays are a ton of fun for our family : )
Cindy

I've been thinking about this, and I think that by the time we get to our age, we should be allowed to spend whatever we want on whomever we want, ESPECIALLY grandchildren and ourselves! That's my story and I'm sticking to it...

You said it, Eagle Heart. Grandchildren are God's way of rewarding us for all the trouble we go through raising our children.