Christmas gifts on a budget

"I’m participating in the Spend-Less Holidays: Saving While Savoring the Season Blog Carnival, hosted by The Frugal Fil-Am and Dainty Mom. We’ll be sharing our tips on how to spend less this holiday season, so that we can have a more meaningful Christmas. Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of carnival entries.”

It's Christmas time once again, and it's the season of giving. Though sometimes it feels like gift giving is burning holes on our pockets, this should not be. There are ways by which we can give gifts that are nice without the need to spend too much. It's just a matter of finding the best deals and being creative.

Here are some ways by which we can give budget-friendly Christmas gifts:

1.  Buy your gifts early. Avoid the Christmas rush. The best time to buy Christmas gifts is before the "ber" months. Many stores offer mid-year sales of their items, so you can buy these items at discounted prices. If you're looking at going to Divisoria, the Philippines' shopping mecca, to buy goods at cheaper prices, the mid-year is a good time to visit since it is not too crowded. By September, the crowds at Divisoria increases since people flock the shopping centers to buy their Christmas gifts.

2. Check out group buying sites. Group buying sites allow people to group together to negotiate for lower prices or better deals for products or services. However, before you make the purchase, read carefully and understand the fine print as it will give you the details regarding your purchase such as the voucher's validity and where to claim the items. You also need to do due diligence in looking for and in purchasing items only from legitimate group buying sites as we don't want to just lose our hard-earned money. To check if the site is legitimate, try to contact them through phone and email. If they don't respond immediately, you may have a hard time in redeeming your purchase.

3. Consider online shopping. I like buying stuff online because of its convenience. With just a few clicks I am able to choose and pay for the items that I want to buy. There are also online stores that sell items at discounted prices, sometimes cheaper than those sold in malls. Some online stores even deliver the items at your doorstep for free! Purchasing through online stores saves me time and money, and these savings also help me cut down on my costs, or allows me to do other things. But just like in #2, please check if the online store where you'd like to buy your items is a legitimate one.

4. Create your own gifts. If you think that you have some creative talent and access to tools, you should consider creating and designing your own gifts! There are so many gift ideas that you can create or design by yourself. If you know graphic design, you can put it to good use by creating customized clothing and accessories. If you know how to cook or bake, you can consider giving food as gifts. There are many things that you can make with little effort and using inexpensive and readily available supplies. Online, you can find many ideas for creating your own gifts. And these kinds of gifts are extra special because they have your personal touch in them.

I hope these tips can make your Christmas gift-giving budget-friendly! :)

Also, please check out this list of interesting posts about making our Christmas celebration more meaningful :)

Domesticated Goddess
The Learning Basket
Apple's World
A WAHM's Life
Changing Nappies in High Heels
Savvy Saving Couple
Kids Party Hub
My Life in Letters
Super Mommy Wannabee
The Frugal Fil-Am
Mrs C's Sugarcoated Life
Henry's Mom
Roller Coaster Mom
Saved by the Miracle of Baked Mac
Mommy Journey
City Girl, Country Home
The World is Our Classroom
Lique's Antics
Mommy Bares All
Consumer Queen
Truly Rich Mom
Dainty Mom
Saving Well, Spending Less

It's been hard for this first time mom

I am quick to admit that it has been hard and quite a challenge for me as a first time mom. I have never really had experience of taking care of children. I may have had younger siblings and cousins but I never took care of them. Growing up in an extended family, there were uncles and an aunt that took care of me, my siblings and cousins aside from our parents. So when I had Toyang, I had to learn on my own how to take care of a baby. And I never thought that taking care of a baby is an overwhelming task. From the time Toyang was born up until she was 2 weeks old I had no sleep! People said that I should sleep while my baby is sleeping. But I couldn't because that's the time when I clean baby stuff, cook or do house chores. It was hard for me during the first month because it was only my husband and I who were taking care of Toyang. And when my husband goes to work, I am left alone to take care of our baby. I remember sending SMS to my mom everyday during that first month asking her when they will come to visit us. I just felt that I needed more help and needed more time for myself. At some point I thought that I had postpartum depression because of the difficulties I experienced as a first time mom.

While I said that being a first time mom was hard, it became easier for me now thanks to the support of my husband, family, friends and also to Toyang. I thank my family especially my mom for taking care of me and Toyang. She helped us find a yaya to take care of Toyang while I am at work (though I am not entirely happy with this yaya but more on that later). I also thank my mommy friends to whom I share my concerns as a first time parent. No one could understand me better than fellow mothers. I also thank my husband for being a doting and responsible father. I am grateful to him for really taking the time to be with us as much as he can during that first month despite his busy schedule at work. I also thank him most especially for all the sacrifices he has made to be able to support his young family (more on this later as well). Of course I am also grateful to Toyang because she is growing to be a happy and healthy baby. As she grows it is becoming easier to take care of her. And her smile and laughter just makes our day!

Ang iyong ngiti

Ang iyong ngiti ang pumapawi ng pagod at lungkot, ang nagbibigay ng pag-asa at saya

Ang iyong ngiti ang aking inspirasyon at lakas sa pang-araw-araw

Mahal na mahal kita

No breastfeeding

It is unfortunate that I was not able to breastfeed Toyang. I really felt bad about it that I cried about it for weeks. At one point I thought that I had experienced postpartum depression and that these were one of the reasons for them. I worried about not being able to breastfeed because we are already struggling financially, and this is an additional financial burden for us.

I felt it was a combination of several factors that is why I was unable to breastfeed. But the main reason why we were not successful at breastfeeding is that Toyang was not able to latch on me. I got hurt when I heard a comment that "wala akong tiyaga" (I had no perseverance). And whenever I remember that I always felt guilty and sad. God knows we (my husband and I) did all we can so that I could breastfeed. While I originally intended to breastfeed, I admit that breastfeeding was something that I really did not prepare for. I thought it was a natural thing I did not think it will be difficult. Maybe there was something that we did wrong or we did not do. Maybe because I did not get enough support. Maybe because I did not have time because I had other concerns to attend to. I had to go back to work one month after giving birth because I had to earn money.

It took a while before I was able to accept that this is the reality for us. A mommy friend had told me not to beat myself up on it, that I should find joy in taking care of my baby regardless of whatever milk she gets. These words have comforted me in those times that I cried over not being able to breastfeed. With regards to finances, thankfully my husband and I are still able to make ends meet. God provides! Ultimately, what I really wanted is for Toyang to be a happy and healthy baby, and so far she has been so :)