Today, in the US, is Black Friday. This is the day that hopefully puts a company "in the black" and earn a profit for the year (if they haven't, yet).
Some of us, though, would consider Black Friday black because it is so painful to go out and shop. I'm one of those. I don't shop on Black Friday, because it's too crowded and too painful to do so.
However, I do need to consider my shopping list for Christmas and get that all done in time. I need to consider my budget this year. Money doesn't go as far as it used to, so I've got to think through if I need to raise the shopping budget to give gifts similar to what I've given before, or to lower the budget, because daily living has gone up so much and I don't have as much disposable income.
I'm glad that our children are all grown and can understand that. They are feeling the pinch, too.
Will this year be the year we all decide "only homemade gifts" or set a top limit on the gifts we give?
Over the years we've been creative. There were times when we did a white elephant or drew names with a top budget limit. The kids were exempt from this. The game aspect of this made it extra fun to be creative with gifts on a budget.
There has been times when I've gone all out & other times when I had nothing to give but my love. Either way they all understood, even the teenagers.
I have 27 grandchildren and 7 great-grand children. When things are tight as they are I try to givr to everyone 16 & under, the age changes every year with the oldest in that group. This is a really long answer so I think I'm just going to do a post about it.
!CTP
Nice reblog and comment.
!CTP
The older ones should understand. It's not good to give more than you can afford. I'm sure my parents did that when we were younger. They shouldn't have, but they felt they had to. Now they have a strict budget. The grandchildren are all grown, so they understand if they don't get much. My parents now focus on the great-grandchildren (two with one more on the way).
Yes the older ones should understand. I think that when they are young, they get so used to us giving even when we don't really have it, that they suddenly look for it as if they're entitled to it.
I'm glad our kids have learned differently. when I can I give more but much like your parents I give to the younger ones first and the others if I have it.