There’s nothing better to break your budget than Christmas. The parties, events, presents and on and on, the list never . . .
ends. There are some great tips I’ve found online and through talking to others that are designed to help us handle the holidays on a budget – that doesn’t get stretched.
1. Handmade gifts — These are the best. Pinterest or Google handmade gift ideas for grandparents, teachers, neighbours and siblings. Things homemade come straight from the heart and are often so much more valuable and cherished than something you pick up in a store. Often the materials you need are simple arts and crafts materials you might already have. There are so many ideas out there for all levels of artistry. Just take a look I’m sure you can find something.
You can also make homemade wrapping paper to save money – plus it can be really cute. Some ways to be creative with this task is to re-use newspaper or brown paper that you can stamp and decorate before using it to wrap presents.
2. Make any kind of meals you host a potluck. Most people are happy to contribute when they’re invited to a meal, so when they ask what they can bring sign them up with something you actually need. This not only helps cut down on expenses but also helps reduce the work load, win-win.
3. Stock up on supplies when they’re on sale. This goes for food, baking ingredients (which can get very pricey), wrapping supplies, presents, chocolate and all the rest. Check the flyers, watch for last minute sales and buy when it’s on sale.
4. Check yard sale sites and used websites for gifts that you need. There’s no law or rule that says there needs to be a tag on something to call it a present. Try to find your child’s big gift second hand to save.
5. Participate in gift exchanges instead of buying for everybody, instead of multiple gifts you could only have to buy one. For those that you feel sad about not gifting something to, make them a card or baked goods.
6. Gifts of service – I love this idea so much. You can create a coupon type booklet with all the services you will provide them with over the year. The possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas: free delivered meals, baked goods, shoveling yards, house cleaning, lawn raking or grass cutting, babysitting services etc. The sky is the limit and one of the best parts is that you don’t have to fork out any cash up front for these gifts, yet the person still knows you are thinking of them.
7. This may sound simple but, make a list when you’re going shopping. So often we get into the stores at Christmas time and see all kinds of nice, pretty things that we don’t actually need. Make a list and stick to it.
8. Focus on the celebration instead of the gifts. Have the conversation with people around you that this year, instead of gifts, you’d like to just spend time together. Plan a date to go sliding, have a meal, watch a movie or just be together without swapping gifts.
9. Take advantage of early sales throughout the year but stay organized. Don’t lose those early purchased presents and have to rebuy them. If you’re organized it can save money not having to buy everything at the same time.
10. The four present rule can help you keep the number of presents you buy at bay. This rule includes: something you wear, something you need, something you want and something to read.
11. This Christmas try making memories instead of buying presents. There are tons of free or really inexpensive things you can do during and leading up to the holidays to create new memories or traditions.
Here are a few ideas: driving around to look at all the Christmas lights in town (you can print off scavenger hunts), singing Christmas carols, making crafts to decorate the house with, baking, having hot chocolate and watching a great Christmas movie, participating in the free or inexpensive activities organized in your town.
Next week, I will write about my favourite Christmas activity – Christmas baking with the kiddos. Hope these tips help take some pressure off the budget for this Christmas season.
*Check us out on Facebook for our upcoming session of Creative Movement for Caregivers and kids.
