A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Need some help with 12 days of christmas ideas

Posted: Dec 17, 2011

My husband lost his job in June and was out of work until October when he started working as a relief driver for a company delivering bread then in November was laid off. We have had a very hard year and now that Christmas is here he is still out of work and still no word from unemployment, so we are living on my salary just scraping by. Each of the boys are getting one gift but we are not buying anything for each other. I am making him a '12 Days of Christmas Coupon Book' with such thinks as the 4th day of x-mas I give you 4 juicy steaks with baked potato, the 10th day of x-mas I give you 10 homemade chocolate eclairs, the 7th night of x-mas I give you 7 nights of music and candlelight with the one thing being a full Jewish meal (yes he is Jewish and we celebrate Christmas). There are other things, but you get the idea. I have four days left to think of and want some suggestions. So what would you give your husband that is cheap or free? Thanks for the ideas...

;

Maybe I'm way off base here but.... - Loki24

[ In Reply To ..]
if you're trying to save money, why gift your husband at all? He's an adult and definitely understands. Also, why are you making this most special for your husband and not your kids with the whole 12 days thing? Kid, 1 gift. Husband, 12?

Not to be mean but was thinking along the same - sm - INTMT

[ In Reply To ..]
lines...of coures the "boys" could be adults and that is fine, but if young a few inexpensive small gifts would be fine. Now the coupon books itself is free, but the items listed are not, 4 steaks?...$20-$30 there or more, and why does he need four, unless again for everyone, but then again presumably he will not actually "cash" any in and it it truly the thought that counts here then. Though it may backfire and make him feel bad that he (and Loki24) cannot provide these things for the other. While it is a cute idea I just don't know how well it will fly.

oops, confused, thought OP was Loki 24, meant to - INKMT

[ In Reply To ..]
to say it may make the OP feel bad not Loki24....need to check where the post goes next time.

I just asked for ideas............. - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
Not to be criticized. The boys are 18 and 21. They do not have jobs and the older one barely takes any classes at the college. I just want to do something nice for my husband, as our year has been really bad. It is more a jesture and he probably will not 'cash in' on the coupons, but I just wanted to make him smile. But even if he does, 4 steaks for my family of 4 when bought on sale at 2.99 a pound is not really that much more expensive than hamburger and every so often, we do have a treat.

I really appreciate you kicking a person when they are already down. Just wanted some ideas for a homemade coupon book to make someone who has had a very tough year smile and know he too is loved even though I did not have the money to go out and buy him something!

Wow! You guys are harsh. - Shame on you! nm

[ In Reply To ..]
.

Suggestions.. - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Well I for one think that your idea is very sweet... don't let the bitter crabbies get you down!

What about a massage? Or does he have any household chores you could do for a few days instead--like take the garbage out or something? Does he like to entertain/have get-togethers? Maybe something like, on the x day of Christmas I'll let you invite x people over--or to be redeemed whenever during the year? Maybe do a potluck dinner--(my husband would love that, since I don't like to entertain, lol)

Good luck and Merry Christmas! It will be just lovely =]

More suggestions - Rainy

[ In Reply To ..]
Wash his truck/car. Give him one of your cookbooks and have him pick out something to try, but be honest with him if an ingredient is too costly. Another poster beat me to the massage idea.

Similar Messages:

Dec 03, 2013
We all could use some unique gift ideas. If you have a special person that loves gourmet food and unique kitchen gifts, La Tienda (tienda.com) is a great idea. NO, I have no affiliation, but we have special friends who love gourmet food and such. The place isn't cheap, so it is not something we do every day, but we do buy from them every Christmas. The food is delicious--Spanish cuisine--as in Spain, Spain over in Europe. A lot of it does not have to be cold-packed, so there's plenty o ...

Nov 19, 2009
I get together with a group of friends annually around the holidays. We got tired of trading our own baked goods so we decided to trade names this year with a $$ limit. Still doing the baking for other friends and neighbors (cookies, fudge, bread). Does anyone have any other creative ideas on how to stretch the $$$ during the holidays, recipes, drinks, gifts? ...

Dec 01, 2014
Hi everyone! I have been working on some inexpensive Christmas gift ideas and wanted to see what everyone else might have to share. Here are a few: 1. Keep or find clean, empty baby food jars. Using hot glue, attach a cute, tiny figurine to the lid. Then fill the empty jar partially with cheap oil, glutter, and water. Glue the lid to the jar. Turn it upside down and you have a snow globe! 2. Gather those really giant huge acorns, take them home and shine them. Cut out a cardboard wreath. U ...

Dec 14, 2011
My family all gather at my mom's house on Christmas eve to open presents and we all bring finger foods or appetizers and sweets. I need some new ideas. I always like to try new recipes, but I'm having some sort of mental block this year. I can't think of anything that sounds good. Not to mention I've been invited to a friend's annual Christmas party this weekend and she always asks me to bring the same old macaroni salad I always bring and I ...

Mar 26, 2016
I'm looking for some ideas for meals that will last a few days (just DH and me). I've made chicken soup (last 4 nights) for 2 weeks in a row. Now I'm looking for some other ideas. I'm on a very limited budget, so can't do half the stuff that keeps popping up when I search. Also, my oven is broke so cannot bake anything. I do have a crockpot and a rice cooker. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks ...

Nov 06, 2011
Hello! Christmas is coming up fast! Stop by my jewelry shop to get a jump-start on your holiday shopping. ...

Dec 13, 2015
We will be attending a small Christmas party where there is some expectation of bringing a small gift for everyone. We usually know about half the people there. I have done some small generic gifts of pancake "mixes" with maple syrups, hand lotions/organic soaps, home baked goodies/candy, etc. Anyone have any inexpensive ideas? Ideas for making the bags? Christmas is just around the corner! ...

Dec 03, 2009
After the presents are opened and the meal is finished, what do you actually DO? I really don't like it when everyone just sits and there and watches TV but that is what happens when eventually everyone gets bored. Does anyone have any interesting traditions? ...

Dec 30, 2009
Hope all of you wonderful ladies had a good Christmas!!! My fabulous husband got me for tickets to see Bon Jovi in July. I have been waiting over 20 years to see them live and can hardly wait. What did you get for Christmas that you loved??? ...

Dec 12, 2010
Is there anyone else who's spending Christmas alone? This is the first time for me, and I'm having a tough time dealing with it. ...

Dec 12, 2011
Or your Hanukkah table or however you choose to celebrate the season? I'm not here to split hairs on what we call it. I just thought it would be interesting to share some of our favorite foods of the season....maybe a recipe or two. Texas Pecan Cake (courtesy of my mom) makes a regular appearance on our table. We don't like fruitcake in our house, but this is the Texas version, chock full of pecans and raisins. Peanut Butter Balls, also known as Buckeyes, are ...

Dec 09, 2009
We put an angel. When I was growing up it was always a star.What do you put on top? ...

Dec 14, 2009
When you buy cards - what kind do you typically go for ?? Do you get..... Religious, Santa, Funny, Primitive, Etc??What do you say? Do you just sign your name, or do you add a line too?We send about 50-60 cards. Due to the amount we send, we're always having to buy new for the next time anyway. LOL Though I will say, the best time to buy is at the end of the year THIS year. Not next Christmas season, buy them when they're on Clearance for 75% off! ...

Dec 08, 2011
I say there are two kinds of people in this world, those who like fruitcake and those who don't; my son tells me I am wrong, there are three kinds of people in this world, those who are good at math and those who are not. I like fruitcake, I admit it, I'm not ashamed to say so -- so last night I bought a little itty-bitty $3.99 fruitcake to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with a cup of herbal tea and a small slice after I finish work. My son, on the other hand, says "Ug ...

Dec 24, 2009
I know I am better off than many....but this is my first Christmas since my divorce. My family lives in Florida. One family member lives near but is very sick and can't come tomorrow. My children have been gone all day to the celebrations that I have done with my ex-husband's family for the last 20 Christmases. I need to put on some Christmas music and finish wrapping my children's gifts I guess. I just feel so sad today :( ...

Dec 03, 2011
Hey Everyone! I have a 4-year-old girl and a 5-year-old girl. Anyone with that age group have any ideas for Christmas for them, or what are you getting your children of that age group? Also, how many presents do you get our children? ...

Dec 02, 2011
Need advice. We have friends with a 10 YO and an 8 YO. This may sound silly - but I feel that our friendship has evolved to that of us going to visit them, us sending gifts for holidays, us emailing and calling them. We always get lovely thank you notes, but they live two hours away and they haven't been to our house in about five years and we haven't been to theirs in 2 years (husband refuses to go over there until they come here)! . Am I beating an old re ...

Oct 24, 2011
We go to my daughter' house for Christmas every other year, and they come here every other year. I have 2 grandchildren. My daughters' mother-in-law comes to my daughter's house every other year, and goes to other family the next year when they come to my house. This mother-in-law does not come to my house because she "does not feel comfortable" here. No other reason given. My daughter tells me it is because she is very competitive and has o ...

Dec 23, 2013
This will make you believe in Santa! ...

Dec 25, 2013
This is one of those awwww stories. Stray cat takes day-old puppy. There is a little video clip too. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/23/noland-lurlene-apl_n_4493924.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular ...

Dec 25, 2013
I just wanted to share this with everyone as I think it is so awesome. My church had a Christmas Eve service last night. We sang carols, the old ones. Now my church is small and our choir during the year has at best 20 members. A lot of people came in for the holidays to spend with their families and some of them joined our choir for the service which raised it up to about 30 members, more or less. Well the main hymn, anthem or whatever was the Halleuia (?) chorus from Handel's messiah ...

Dec 25, 2014
...

Dec 24, 2015
With Christmas Eve fast upon us, I would like to wish a very Merry Christmas to all my Christian friends on this board and out there in cyberspace! I wish you and yours a Merry and Happy Christmas. May 2016 be the year the world moves toward peace! ...

Oct 19, 2009
At my husband's family get together last weekend, I realized that my husband's family is just too huge to keep buying individual Christmas presents (15 adults and 5 kids, not counting his dad and my parents) plus our 3 kids so I've decided to get nice containers like a hatbox and fill it with baked goods, spiced pecans and jar mixes for each family. So my questions are: What jar mixes do you like to give/receive? What baked goods do you like to give/receive? TIA ...

Dec 04, 2009
The world is full of smart ***!!! LOL :) I tried to paste just the picture to this post but I don't know how!!! ...

Dec 15, 2009
These are great. The second link is TSO, and I really love them, especially this song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7pH-GU_5gA&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szLmAPW39uE ...

Dec 16, 2009
Every year since my 2000 wedding have spent Christmas Day with hubs family (have daughter by another marriage, grown and out of the home). My SIL (hubby's brother's wife) and I have exchanged the dinners since the other participants really too old (70s and 80s) to host everyone, quite an ordeal to arrange for say about 15 people. I hosted dinner in 2007 and asked last year by SIL to host again and she would do this year. Have heard nothing about dinner until yesterday (10 days prior to ...

Dec 18, 2009
We have been warned that we will be getting 1 foot of snow here in southwest Virginia this weekend. I wouldn't mind except we always lose our power. They also said to expect snow on Christmas Eve next week. Yippeee! I have not had a white Christmas in a long time!!! ...

Dec 02, 2011
I have to admit I can't stand the "Christmas Shoes" song. I have a high tolerance for schmalz, but that's over the top for me. I change the radio station when that comes on. I'm sorta on the fence about "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas". It's kind of cute, but it has the disadvantage of sticking in my head and I end up singing it the rest of the day! Anyone else? ...

Dec 01, 2011
I'm finally getting into the Christmas mood. I have Harry Connick, Jr's "When My Heart Finds Christmas" playing and I LOVE it. My favorites are It Must've Been Ol' Santa Claus and Ave Maria. He has such a beautiful voice and is such a great performer. ...