So the holidays are upon us. How is your holiday different pre-Bk and now?

[Fallonedward]

Tobee, we are going from 25 (my extended aunts and uncles, friends, mom, mil) down to 3.

Just the kids. One of my dear friends is a photographer and she took pictures of the kids and she presented m with 8x10's we are giving the parents in frames.

It is all about needs for us these days

great thread olives....

we have most certainly notice changes.....we are so careful about every penny we spend...making it go as far as we can and going more for "needs" than wants...our list went from approx 20 to 5....that's it...and it's only for "kids"...no one else...not even each other.

clothing...grocery store gift cards....and my sister getting a new liver....(she's number 1 on the list and we are waiting daily and now truly know how little "things" matter)....that's all i want for Christmas....

[chicagoannie]

This is a very different Christmas for me. I have not used credit cards for several years so not having them is not a problem. But this is the 1st time I've been unemployed at the holidays and I did not get the benefits extension that most people are receiving, so it's a lean mean shopping season. My big kids understand we will celebrate the holidays "in style" once I am working again. They want the littlest brother to receive a couple gifts so I am very proud of my crew. I'm just grateful to have a decent roof over our heads and good holiday meals with family and friends!

[enginegirl]

this is my first christmas with no money .... the feelings are somewhat mixed for me..
I spent the past few years trying to be the absolute best aunt, getting my nieces and nephews the "it" gifts and beautiful things for everyone else...(and before I get chastised for spending $$ I have to mention that at that time I was making well over 6 figures with no debt except for my mortgage and car.... no judging please). When everything imploded a couple of years ago I tried to just do the kids and purchased as I found them..... this year... there will be no gifts.. in fact this year I actually will not be celebrating.. I can not afford a ticket to go be with my family... so on christmas eve I will go to Church and I will try and remember why we celebrate this holiday....

[october99]

this is my first christmas with no money .... the feelings are somewhat mixed for me..

.. in fact this year I actually will not be celebrating.. I can not afford a ticket to go be with my family... so on christmas eve I will go to Church and I will try and remember why we celebrate this holiday....

I am so sorry to read this. I hope things get better for you.