The holidays are approaching, whether we want to admit it or not. The shopping, the bills, the crazy relatives, the whiney, dissatisfied kids…ah, yes! What a wonderful time of the year! No wonder spiked eggnog is so popular around the holidays!
Of course, with the economy in the toilet and unemployment reaching record highs, having a happy holiday season is looking less and less likely for a lot of people. If you’re one of them, read on for some easy money saving ideas that will make your Christmas a little more budget friendly without sacrificing any joy.
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Set a budget, and stick to it. This will probably mean you need to weed out your Christmas list a bit-that’s fine, do it and don’t let anyone make you feel guilty about it! If you’ve given a gift to your in-laws every year since you got married, and have yet to receive a gift in return, don’t send them one this year. Maybe they’ll get the point and send you something next year.
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Limit the number of gifts you give each person on your list. No one needs to get twenty gifts from one person!
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Lower your expectations, and make sure everyone on your list knows you won’t be able to splurge this year. Most people will understand. Those who don’t probably shouldn’t be on your list anyway.
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If you’re hosting dinner at your house this year, announce that you’re planning a non-traditional feast, and invite your guests to bring their specialties. If you happen to make an awe-inspiring beef brisket, make it; if you’re famous for your barbequed ribs, go ahead and make those! Tell your guests what you’re up to, and they’ll likely be glad to have a chance to escape from the turkey-ham-potatoes holiday grind.
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If you insist on a traditional meal, limit the number of desserts you make. You do not need four dozen cookies, three cakes, five pies, and a jelly roll for one meal. Keep your menu traditional but simple, and you’ll save money.
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Take stock of the holiday decorations you already own, and use them. If you don’t have any decorations at all, keep your décor simple and decorate only one room. There is absolutely no good reason to put out Santa shaped guest soaps and mini pine trees in your bathrooms!
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Try your hand at homemade gifts! If you can sew, paint, draw, sculpt, make soaps or candles or jewelry, or make amazing cookies, you have a gift for someone on your list.
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Think about the gifts you give instead of just throwing a bunch of stuff at people and hoping they like it. Thoughtful, well-planned gifts are always more appreciated than a pile of junk that will never get used.
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If you usually have planned activities to keep the kids out of your hair while you cook, get them involved in the kitchen this year. Most children love to bake, and they’ll be proud of themselves when they see their dishes displayed on the table along with everyone else’s. Kids can also make cheese logs, decorate cookies, put together snack trays, and help with prep work, like washing vegetables or dipping things in chocolate (with supervision, of course!).
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Make an agreement with your partner to spend money only on the kids this year. You can give each other gifts that cost nothing. Use your imagination!
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If you have a severe budget shortfall, investigate thrift stores as possible places to find gifts, especially for very young children and adults. Your aunt may be thrilled to receive an old glassware set that reminds her of her childhood; the baby in the family won’t care a bit of the giant bag of stuffed animals is brand new or not. Make sure any used gifts you give are in good condition, clean, and not on a recall list.
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Start a new family tradition! Instead of focusing so much on what you get and give, why not spend part of your holiday doing something good for the community as a whole? Volunteer at a shelter, go caroling, donate things you no longer use or need, pass out meals to the homeless, whatever. Take the focus off of the materialism that has permeated Christmas, and you’ll feel a lot better at the end of the day, whether you had a “good” Christmas or not.
In the end, the best way to save money at Christmas is to remember that old saying: It’s not what you spend; it’s the thought that counts.
And next year, anyone who didn’t appreciate your efforts can get cut from your list! Bah humbug!