THE festive season has arrived in all its tinselled glory, and while most of the world is excited to celebrate the end of this incredibly challenging year, the reality is that the bank balance is a lot lower – if in fact existent!
If you’re looking to celebrate the festivities without being considered the Christmas scrooge, then here are a few nifty ideas.
Decide on a budget
…and stick to it! Shopping can be a pain, and we so often spend a bit more on something rather than having to look around, but this ends up costing. Try and outline a realistic budget and list potential gift items suited to the individual. Even if you’re down to baking some biscuits and putting them in a nice jar, this year – more than ever – it’s actually the thought the counts.
Secret Santa
You’re not alone in financial dire straits, so consider chatting to friends you usually exchange gifts with to see if they’re happy to give this year a miss and rather enjoy an extra special birthday present in 2021. In some instances, you can’t get away from giving a gift, so why not suggest a Secret Santa. It takes some organisation, but is a much more cost-effective option.
Have a Christmas potluck
There’s no need for the Christmas lunch to become one household’s expense, simply assign various dishes to the guests so that everyone contributes in some way. This also eases the burden of having to prepare and cook the entire meal.
Stick to the ‘four gift’ rule
Children tend to get a lot of presents from various family friends and family members over Christmas, which allows parents to stick to the four gift rule that has gained traction over the years. This is a pledge to buy only four gifts:
· Something they want
· Something they need
· Something to wear
· Something to read
Whether this will work in your particular household is also dependent on the ages of the children, and the prices of the items they want, but it could be used as a great guideline for parents.
Opt for DIY gifts
You don’t have to be an expert craftsman to create something meaningful for those nearest and dearest in your life. With modern apps and free software, there are endless ways to make a DIY gift that doesn’t necessarily come across as a budget option. Homemade candles, personalised calendars, a well-crafted hamper… these are all simple to do and don’t cost a fortune.
It might seem cliché, but the true meaning of Christmas is not about the price of presents.
After a year that has shown us the true value of social connections and prioritising treasured moments rather than treasured gold, Christmas on a budget probably isn’t such a bad idea anyway.
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