Are you doing anything different this Christmas?

Dueller · 12-03-2009, 08:01 AM

With the economy in the doldrums and people losing jobs are you doing anything diifferent this holiday season? Things are a bit tighter for my family this year, but we aren't in as bad shape as most folks hit hard.

Wife, kids and I have decidied we're only going to exchange one gift each and keep it reasonably priced. We plan to concentrate more on getting togethr and enjoying each other's company over a few special meals and perhaps visits to some public events like an outdoor singing tree, etc. Our traditional Christmas nite party for friends and neighbors (usually have about 100-120 people show up) at our home will continue but we're scaling back on the extravagant food and drink.

We are going to take some of the money we aren't spending on ourselves and purchase toys to donate to needy families. Wife and I are volunteering to work on Christmas day serving lunch at a food bank organization.

What about you guys...doing anything different?

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Still going to Mexico. Of course, we're driving and we'll be in Chihuahua, not some resort.

HardDrive · 12-03-2009, 08:30 AM

I plan on being 15% more sarcastic this year.

Zef · Zef's Garage

Nop...same as last year, and the one before and...will be with my wife and my two daughters on a sunny beach in Cancun...a Pinacolada in one hand and a Mojito in the other one.

HHI944 · 12-03-2009, 09:11 AM

This is the christmas of 18's. I plan on waking up next to an 18yo then cracking open a bottle of 18 year glenfiddich.

vash · vash's Garage

scaled way back. no tree.

we made a pact to not buy each other gifts..but you all know how that ends. me opening packages, and wife all pissed off with zero gifts. me, "but we had a deal....!!!"

i am shopping tonight.

desertt5 · 12-03-2009, 11:02 AM

Same thing here, almost. We did buy my Mom a plane ticket to come spend it out west with us this year. Haven't spent Christmas with her in over 15 years I think.

Westy · 12-03-2009, 11:32 AM

Staying home for the first time in 29 years. No one in the (disfunctional) family is talking to me. Tree is up, lights go up tomorrow, and I told my wife to prepare to be innundated with gifts. I'm even giving her the Targa. It's gonna be a goooooooood X-mas.

vash · vash's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westy

Staying home for the first time in 29 years. No one in the (disfunctional) family is talking to me. Tree is up, lights go up tomorrow, and I told my wife to prepare to be innundated with gifts. I'm even giving her the Targa. It's gonna be a goooooooood X-mas.

i know what you are getting....you have a great wife.

Burnin' oil · 12-03-2009, 11:42 AM

I am not going to drink until I throw up. And I really mean it this year.

scottmandue · 12-03-2009, 11:45 AM

Things are going to be way different for me...

Been a dyed in the wool bachelor all my life... typical Christmas has always been... go to brothers house - exchange token gifts with family - eat/drink - go home and drink some more.

This year Fiance is flying out Christmas afternoon, then we are taking a week vacation up the central coast.

I'm paying for the vacation so she said I don't have to get her anything for Christmas... so I'm shopping online for her Christmas present right now.

Burnin' oil · 12-03-2009, 11:46 AM

Going to Cambria?

Westy · 12-03-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

i know what you are getting....you have a great wife.

Is it for the P-Car or the Camaro? C'mon,,,,help a brutha out!

Steve F · 12-03-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burnin' oil

Going to Cambria?

My wife and I will be Cambria 24th-25th and then to Soquel to hook up with the rest of the family

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

We usually "adopt" a family or 2, buy gifts that they have written down. It's usually "10 y.o. boy needs jacket and gloves, 8 y.o. girl wants art supplies". This year we got a family with a 17 y.o. boy who wants tools and parts to get his '89 Toyota pickup running. Right up my alley, I'm going to hit Harbor Freight and Napa for some "s" wrenches, ratchet handles, spark plugs and probably give him my old timing light.

Everyone in our families has more crap than they need, so we just buy for these families and deliver the gifts and baskets of food the weekend before Xmas. It gives you a great feeling and puts you in the spirit all the way up to Christmas Day. I will get something for the Wife though, I may be charitable but I'm not stupid.