I am the first one to admit that I spent too much of my money and am now struggling to buy everything I need to for Christmas. That being said, I am trying to stick to a pretty low budget in terms of presents while also getting something meaningful. I understand that some people feel the need to go all-out at Christmas, but to me, that makes no sense.
My friends and family know me pretty well, so I don't feel too concerned that they know I am a college kid on a limit for how much i can buy. I've been buying little presents here and there for weeks, just to make sure I don't have to buy EVERYTHING in the two weeks before Christmas. I've been scouting sales. It just seems like everything I needed to buy was the only thing not affected by Black Friday and giant sales. So I've gotten creative, shopped around, and cut back.
I wouldn't expect anyone I know to buy me anything crazy expensive, either. I have always been overly spoiled at Christmas, and I don't need it. I appreciate it, and there has been a lot of thought given to what I should get, but making a Christmas list every year is hard for me, since I don't necessarily NEED anything, and I don't want a whole lot.
My mom is renewing a subscription she bought me last year. Perfect. I don't need anything else. I am buying what is essentially a movie ticket for something for someone else, but it's an experience we ultimately are going to have watching something live-streamed for half the price the actual thing would cost, and it'll be way more chill.
I'm tired of watching people stress out. I know my parents deserve an island, but I have the budget for a candle. It'll still be a very nice candle, and I am putting in the effort. And for what it's worth, if someone says "don't get me something," I feel perfectly fine obeying that. I've told my friends if they can't afford to get me something they don't need to. I think that friendship and spending time together is enough.
I'm focusing on little experiences, not so much buying something extravagant. I know that doesn't work for everyone, but to me, it's perfect. I would hate to see someone get ignored because I'm trying to buy super big things for 6 people. Some of my friends probably don't even expect us to exchange something for Christmas. I have a friend who makes the most gorgeous drawings, and she is using that skill for Christmas presents. I'll still LOVE getting a hand-drawn Christmas card from her if she decides to give me one.
Let's focus on what we can do with what we have, and not stress about what we don't.