Did you downsize this year on Christmas and in what ways? Also did anyone you know admit to cutting back?

Hi instinct. I think what you describe here may well become a national trend as the years go by. Everyone has become a tad disallusioned with the increasing commercialism that Christmas tends to bring and the need to keep 'upping the ante' every year. It's the same with Christmas cards, you receive one, you tend to send one back and with the cost of paper and postage going up every year, why do we bother? Not to mention the environmental costs of cutting down trees every year and the fact that these are simply 'throw away' items. No I am not being 'Bah Humbug' here, just logical.
Yes, I have cut back on Christmas spending this year and I hope that this will become a national thing as we all need to recognise that Christmas should never be a financial race to the post for anyone. Even food and other festive treats have come under the microscope this year when we consider just how much stuff gets wasted and perhaps never eaten. Not to mention the damage it does to our hips!

I did cut back as didn't buy for as many friends, still spent roughly the same as last year on family and kids. I save all year for Xmas so that when i want to buy things i have the money to hand as i usually get it out late october time. It is nice to not have to worry about paying back any credit card bills in the new year. That way it is done and dusted. Also u don't miss the money going out as i save it every month straight from bank acc to savings acc. Have done for the last couple of years makes a huge difference come January with less bills to worry about.

I didn't send as many cards as usual and my siblings and I decided not to give each other gifts. I still received some form some of them but I didn't give any as that was what we had agreed. I didn't feel too bad about it! One friend went away for Christmas so I will buy her gift in the sales.

Hi, I did downsize a little in that I bought only one present each per person instead of my usual two or in some cases three.
Also for the first time this year I did the majority online and I saved a great deal of time, effort and money by doing it that way.
I agree there will come a time when priorities take over and we just treat our grandchildren and possibly just proffer a small gift for each other.