How has the recession affected you this holiday season?

Running my own business has been tougher this year and certainly impacted on the presents I have bought for loved ones. I'm making a transatlantic flight that has cost me 25% more this year, so something has to give and that is presents. I think that with the doom and gloom you have to ultimately realise that money doesn't buy you happiness.

I know plenty of people that have not been affected by the downturn and they definitely miserable!

The repair shop that I worked at closed last July after over 25 years in business. I spent 11 months on unemployment. I put in over 75 applications to various businesses and 1 finally requested an interview.

I took the job, which is paying between $400-$600 less per month than when I was a mechanic. (I was struggling before, now we're not making it very well at all). Because of this I barely have enough money to keep a roof over our heads, much less buy presents for my wife and two daughters.

I love the Christmas spirit (the real reason for the holiday), but I would prefer to be able to buy my family some gifts, no matter how small. So I guess I prefer the "back to the roots" feel of this way, but I still miss the "good ol' days".

Like many, my husband and I saw nearly half of our retirement savings wiped out by the stock market crash (which occurred right around the time we got married). Also, I experienced a slowdown in my consulting business this summer (thankfully, my husband still has his full time job and work has picked up this last month for me). So although we're both lucky enough to have work, we have definitely been more conservative with our dollars this holiday season (and for most of 2009) as we're trying to rebuild our savings and also save towards a new home.

We eat out less and spend less money on extravagances, but that means that we get to spend more time staying in and cooking together. Since we don't want to skimp out on our nephews and nieces, last year (and this year) we will likely stick to just buying each other one simple gift (or even making it). My inlaws and I have agreed that we'll make Xmas this year about the kids.

This means rather than thinking about $$ signs, we focus more on what will touch each other's heart and spend more time on the phone (using our free weekend or late night minutes) talking with loved ones. Actually this entire year, I've noticed that I am closer to my relatives (both sides) and friends as the recession has taught us all that life is not so much about $$ but who you have in it. Happy Holidays to all!

Renaissance girl.

The recession has affected me in a few different ways this holiday season because I am a business owner. The sales for the season are drastically lower in comparison withe the last few years, and I have been forced to lower prices, and lower the numbers of hours my employees work, due to the fall in profits and rise in transportation costs. Since my profits fell, I will be unable to give a good bonus to many of my deserving employees, I will have less to spend to buy gifts for family and friends, etc.The business is beginning to struggle and I am continuously preoccupied about what will happen next, as well I am having to put a lot more time and energy into my business because I am unable to pay others to do the tasks that were once their responsibility, therefore I am drained of energy and stressed to unbelievable levels; my Holiday cheer has been dulled by the lack of ability to have time with my family, worry of my business venture, and the uncertainty of income.

This year, I am not working. Also, we are expecting some big expenses coming in March 2010. So we are planning to reduce the gifts this year.

Also, I am thinking about donating some of my DIY scarves, caps and winter items I made. Since I am not working, there is no need to give presents to co-workers. We are still planning to invite friends and family for dinner.No expensive gifts though.

Just quality time.

The recession affected my family more last year than it is this year. My husband owns a mechanics shop and last year in about Oct/Nov business just came to a stand still for us and many other businesses in our area. We went all of Nov 08 without one single paying customer.So did my brother in law at his business.

Our 13 year old daughter is a Christmas Eve kiddo, so we had to scrunch everywhere we could to pull off a birthday and Christmas. This year we are much more fortunate and have had an increase in business, especially this fall. We were blessed to get a contract with the neighboring county with all of the county cop cars, and that pays all of the bills by itself, and is allowing us to stick money in savings again.

Ironically, it was the recession that landed us this contract because my husbands shop only charges $55/hr compared to $80-$90 for most of the other shops around here. We are definitly not going out and spending as much money as we used to in previous years, but we are feeling very, very blessed in this economy to be in the position that we are in.

Ho Ho Ho" is still the way to go! "Bah humbug" shall not be the quote of the recession for this family. It's actually been a fun challenge for us to find ways to cut costs but not dim our holiday spirit.

Here's a few of our changes made to bear the budget crunch: Sending ecards instead of the traditional mailing of Christmas cards. There are lots of free ecards and super websites for as little as $20 A YEAR (unlimited e cards). Jacque Lawson is my favorite website.

This beats the 44cents postage per card. This was a tough one for everyone, but was agreed upon by all family members. Grandparents really had to refrain here!

Only two gifts per person and ONE must be handmade/handcrafted. Everyone is helping out with dinner, sharing costs and preparation. Shopping for food items on sale and using coupons helps.

Our fresh fruits and vegetables will be bought from the local farmer's market. Activities of the day will be of NO cost. A family walk is planned, crafts for the little ones, and watching holiday movies together.

Crunching cash can be fun!

We are feeling the recession this year. I have been off work with illness and so I have not helped our family's situation, but even without I am seeing the difference as there were no raises in pay for almost 2 years now. So we have not been able to share to the extent we always have before.

We have actually been doing better for the past couple of years. My husband started his own carpentry/remodeling business and it has been steadily doing better every year. It's hard because I stay home with our son so we are a one income family but we're doing OK considering the circumstances.My grown children have been struggling a bit and I try to help as much as I can but it's part of starting out and starting a family you have to pay your dues and struggle a bit.

That's my philosophy anyway.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.