Frugal….not cheap!

I am sitting here drinking my coffee and the sun is shining outside.  Quite a difference from what is was a week ago.  A week ago.  It was almost Christmas a week ago, and right now it feels as though it was a long, long time ago.

Most everyone seemed like they wanted to just get it over.   People were angry a week ago.  Driving too fast, cutting people off, just plain angry and I can only suppose it was because of the extra financial strain of Christmas.  Last year people were happy and buying and using those credit cards to do it with, and this year those credit cards are not being used, as most have switch to cash to keep themselves in check with their purchases.  When you can’t buy the same or more as you did before you start wondering if your failing.

I was thinking about how the media has put a lot of pressure on us.  I myself worried if I was giving my son enough, even though he has so many toys they overflow his toy box.  I was worried my mom would feel cheated if i didn’t spend as much as the year before and what about my piano students, I want to give them something, but with so many piano students it can really add up.

I stuck to a budget, I didn’t overspend, I thought about going back to the basics and making hot cocoa from scratch and giving one present that everyone wanted instead of a bunch of presents.  I tried to personalize everything and I would survey it all and be satisfied and then that old Mr. Guilt would start creeping in and I was sure no one would be happy.

My oldest son called me, a little bit in desperation on what to get me for Christmas.  They were on the verge of buying a house, a new baby coming and trying to survive in the same economy I was in and the last thing I wanted him to do was go and buy me an expensive present.  I rattled off a couple of inexpensive things that I needed, but he wasn’t satisfied with my list.  I think he wanted to buy me something frivilous and not practical and I have found as I get older, practical is winning over frivilous.

In the end my oldest son got me a much needed coffee pot.  Practical and actually frivilous in my mind, because I was bound and determined to hang on to the old one until it perked it’s last pot of coffee, regardless that the cord had a short in it.

The other day, on my way up to the store, I noticed a lot of stripped Christmas trees on the curb already and  when I was at the store to exchange a toy  that was broken in the box for my youngest son, I noticed there was no one in the stores.  The return line only had a couple of people in it and as I surveyed the store as I waited, I saw there was lots of waiting carts for shoppers, but no shoppers.  The two people before me, returned their item and got their money and walked out of the store.  I guess they had received a present from someone out of guilt and instead of putting it in the closet until forgotten, they are getting what they really need, cash.

As I sip my fresh brewed coffee, I am glad we are almost done with December.  I believe the Christmas of 2008 will probably be thought of as the saddest Christmas of our lives.