Let’s be honest, these days the holidays are too commercialized. Advertising agencies create entire campaigns to create a false need and a healthy dose of guilt if you don’t buy something for everybody. Budget constraints often leave one feeling a sense of “bah humbug” this time of year. Don’t let excess spending rob you of your holiday cheer. Try these great ideas to keep your holiday expenses down.
Think Thrifty
Let’s face it, decorating for the holidays is a big job. When you consider the time and substantial financial commitment, it’s no wonder people shy away from doing it. Luckily, there are several ways to save some green while shopping for your holiday décor this season. The time you spend, however, is up to you. Thrift shops: This time of year, most thrift shops will have an aisle or two devoted to the holidays. You can find many items, sometimes new and unopened, for little money. Thrift stores are a wonderful place to get a mix and match holiday dish set, as well as vases, candle holders and much more. The thrill of the hunt is half the fun when shopping second hand.
Garage Sales: The amount of holiday décor you can find at garage sales is staggering, and your imagination is the limit! You never know what you’re going to find, so its always a good idea to be creative and flexible. Be prepared to find anything from dancing reindeer dolls, tangled balls of lights, or figurines, to holiday napkin rings and tree ornaments. Bring cash and don’t be afraid to offer less, as most people are very motivated to sell.
Nature: Sometimes finding beautiful things to decorate with is as easy as walking out into your backyard. Pinecones, acorns and evergreen boughs are free. Remember stringing popcorn? It’s inexpensive and fun! Alternate with cranberries for a little splash of color. With a little creativity and a hot glue gun, you will be unstoppable!
Start New (and cheaper) Traditions
It doesn’t get much better than free. The holiday season is full of free community activities, from performances and festivals to parades and lights; your calendar will quickly fill up with holiday cheer! Some places to find these events are your local newspaper, state and local tourism websites, county websites, local radio stations and your neighborhood library. You can also try some additional fun and inexpensive tradition ideas such as:
Sledding: It’s a great time to wrap up the kids, grab a sled (heck, even a plastic bag) and head on down to the closest rolling hill to make some memories. Everyone will have fun for next to nothing! Live in an area with no snow? No problem! An ‘all-season sled’ works on grass or snow, but with the cost around $80, it’s a bit more expensive.
Neighborhood lights: Many people lavishly decorate their homes in lights this time of year. Grab a thermos of hot chocolate, hop in the car and drive around the neighborhood to enjoy the splendor. Driving around town will cost you little more than gas, and the company you seek and sights you will see, are worth it!
Baking together: Spend a scrumptious evening baking or making confectionary goodies together. You will get some quality time, delicious eats and potentially save some money if you are making your delightful creations for holiday gifts.
Movie and spiced tea night: A flannel blanket, some holiday movies and a hot mug of spiced tea is all you need to make a night to remember.
Shop Smart
It is almost inevitable that at some point, you will find yourself shopping this holiday season. No matter what the circumstances are, you can prevent overspending, and the stress that comes with it, by heeding a few simple tips.
Use cash: While the festivities abound, the glitz and glitter of the season can make it difficult to keep track of what you’re spending. Debit cards only make this task harder. To get around this problem, use cash for all your holiday shopping, that way you can see when you are nearing the end of your budget. It also tends to make you more discretionary and spend more cautiously, which is a good thing!
Shop online: Shopping online gives you several advantages. First, it is much easier to shop around and compare prices. When it comes to finding the best deals, shopping online is hard to beat. It also saves on gas and travel time. Remember to watch the shipping prices, some companies will offer a cheaper price, but high shipping charges. Watch for promotions that offer free shipping.
Use coupons: No matter where you decide to shop, chances are, there is a coupon for that. Take the time to glance at newspaper ads, magazine adverts and flyers that come in the mail. You can also find great deals on coupon sites like coupons.com or fatwallet.com as well as download coupon smart phone apps like ‘Coupon Sherpa’ or ‘Yowza’.
Keep it Together
Sometimes, we have so many people on our list that we have to go into debt in order to buy something for each one. Grouping your gifts is an easy solution that will make you feel good, save money and make everybody else happy too.
Buy family gifts: Instead of buying for each member of the family, try grouping it together to save money. Family gifts can be one large gift that benefits the whole family, such as a kitchen appliance or a gourmet culinary treat like a meat and cheese platter. Another great idea with lots of potentials is a themed gift basket. Some great ideas for family gift baskets are: “Movie night”, simply throw in some DVD’s, popcorn and drinks and you’re all set! Another favorite is “Family game night” a board game, some hot cocoa and treats and voila! Not only is your gift sure to please, but it will give them memories that last a lifetime.
Adopt an angel: Rather than picking the names of family and friends, everybody picks the name of a child in need on a charity tree instead. Picking an angel creates a magical environment that gives to those in need and lessens the commercialization of the season. You will find joy in buying things like winter coats, shoes and food for those that cannot provide for themselves. There are many local agencies and charities that gather people in need during the holiday season; they range from poverty-stricken youth and elderly to the homeless and disabled. To find the charity of your choice, you can go to www.lic.org,www.charitynavigator.org,or contact your local community foundation.
Make it Personal
Sometimes the most memorable gifts are not the ones that are the biggest or the most expensive, but the ones that are the most thoughtful. When giving, it’s all about being personal and paying attention to the details.
Photographs: Do you have an old family heirloom picture? Perhaps you have family photos or cute candids of your children? If so, its time to dig them out, dust them off and put a frame on them! No matter what type of photo it may be, people love pictures of their loved ones. Don’t like the idea or expense of framing?
Places like walgreens.com and walmart.com have things that you can slap your mug on (including a mug!) for not very much.
Annual letter: Many people create an annual letter that contains a summary of happenings and goings on with their families each year. Often there is an update on, and personal word from each member of the family. An annual letter is a wonderful, economical gift idea for your family and friends. It helps loved ones stay connected and provides a genealogical keepsake. You can personalize it by writing (or printing) on beautiful paper and decorate it with stickers. You can even include pictures of the family.
Personalized Calendar: Using family pictures, create a personalized calendar that includes useful dates such as birthdays, holidays and anniversaries. A calendar is both a sentimental and useful gift that everybody will love. You can create and have them printed online at many places, including vistaprint.com, walmart.com and snapfish.com. Your forgetful family members will thank you for it every time a birthday comes around.
Give them the time of day (The gift of time)
So, what if we are working with a budget that is say, close to nothing? Well, luckily, the holidays are not about the stuff you buy but about the time you give. Remember the reason for the season, by giving someone your most precious commodity—time.
Volunteer: Volunteering is a thoughtful way to celebrate the holiday’s true purpose. Enlist the whole family in the act to bring you closer together while you lend a helping hand. Some wonderful places to volunteer are animal shelters, nursing homes, food banks and soup kitchens. Remember to contact them early in the season to discuss where you can be most helpful and to set at time and date.
You’ve got skills: Are you an artist? An amazing cook? Perhaps you are handy around the house? Donate your skills by offering to draw your loved one a portrait, cook an amazing meal, or give them a set amount of time to fix things around their house. Think you don’t have skills? How about mowing the lawn, or babysitting? Whatever it is that you do, wrap the idea in a thoughtful way, and it will be the most heart warming gift your loved one will receive this holiday season.
So there you have it, by celebrating on a budget, you can have fun and focus on the true purpose of the holidays. Spending time with loved ones, extending grace to those in need and spreading good cheer, without all the holiday pressure. Happy Holidays!