oh yeah. It hit us like a brick this year, but it’s not as bad as last year. It was a mad scramble to keep from losing our homes and such. It was suprisingly easy though as we all banded together and got things knocked out one at a time. So this Christmas wasn’t all flat screens and suv’s. Big deal. We still all got together for a big meal, a few drinks and laughs and of course the obligatory secret santa. We did cheap gag gifts this year. Had a blast.
Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.

We don’t celebrate Christmas, but I have noticed this year much fewer lights/decorations are on the houses. There’s a trailer park near are house, and normally the trailers aren’t even visible at this time of year! There are soo many lights and decorations! I think people are not putting them up because of the electricity bills ?

well, my 10yr and 7 yr. old boys got everything. an 1800 dollar dirt bike, hockey table, lots of presents and i got hd flat screen tv by exhusband. He came into an inheritence recently. I felt he was over excessive. I hate for other children to come and see all their stuff..b ut my kids do share. My oldest children by prior marriage, 21 and 23 got me one present each and I bought them one. We set our limit at 25 dollars. We got each other practical gifts.
At my moms, we drew names at Thanksgiving. Family of 7 children.
during labor day all of us were together for the first time in ten yrs. We took a picture. I got 7 5×7 pictures, and a 8×10 for my mom and had them framed. So, we each had this picture. Everyone cried, especially my mom. Then we all grew up singing in church, and at the house. So, gathered around the piano we sang a song for my mom, her favorite gospel song. She had tears flowing. So much love in that house, and all us kids there together again! This was a great Christmas. All the children got a small, cheap gift, but they were happy to be with their cousins. So, we gave of each other instead of monetary gifts, which was heart felt, and memorable. So, sad it took poor economy to make us realise the true meaning of Christmas. Time with family, and sharing the love that Jesus gave us with each other.
Despite all the expensive stuff the boys dad got them and my TV, Christmas at mom’s aka grandma was the best! Boys still talking about fun they had with cousins, and the was the best Christmas ever.
Merry Christmas…..we did….

I literaly had no money to buy my kids anything AND did not have the money for my weekly mortgage payment this past monday. I prayed for a miracle. I didn’t tell anyone but my mom and dad. They couldn’t help either. In church on Sunday, someone asked me how I was doing. I said fine. They said “No, I mean, are you OK for Christmas,please tell me the truth, don’t have pride” I just started crying and said “I didn’t get my (3) kids anything cause I don’t have any money” They handed my a check for $500!! and I went shopping!! As a mom, it was heartbreaking not being able to get my kids anything, I know we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and would’ve been just fine w/ no gifts at all, cause there is a lot of love in our home,but it was nice to be blessed like that and get them some things.

The negative effects has not reach here as yet so I had a good one plus I got a bonus from work As my colleague said, ‘the cheese slice thick’. I want to wish you a Blessed Christmas and all the best for 2009.
To Rebecca S, I am glad that you were blessed this Christmas. God will make a way when there seems to be no way. Just remember to give God all the thanks and all the glory.

I have just accepted the fact that Jesus is reason for this Christmas season. And it doesn’t matter if the economy affected my Christmas or not. I would just like to say Happy Birthday Jesus, and Merry Christmas to you Cassie, and a Happy New Year.

We spent money but we tried to get a lot of useful things and things we knew our kids and grandkids needed yet wanted. It was still fun and everyone loved their gifts. We want to give but we want to make it a happy time. We will have a huge dinner and play games all day with the little ones and the big ones, we always enjoy!

well i,ll tell you! it hit us somewhat but not like some people i know.i know the groceries in the stores are higher then they use to be but i guess we will get by. as long as i have something to eat, a place to live, people who cares for me and my health then i,am thankful. now what else does a person need. except jesus.

My family celebrates orthodox Christmas in January.
Christs mass is about Jesus, not about Santa or enabling a culture of materialism. We could (and have been) very poor and it does not touch our Christmas.

Due to the weather i have bought NO presents.
and when i do it will be limited to $64 or less for everyone.
definetely less than before.

We didn’t get much presents. But we did get some money and we will just hit the stores the day after Christmas for the sales

It was great I found a lot of good deals, My son is playing his Wii right now. I got a portable basket ball rim for $43.00. I should have got 2 so I can have full court.

Like a brick wall .

it wasn’t too bad coz none of us wanted anything especially expensive.
we just got loads of little presents instead