MY BIG CASH LIGHT CHRISTMAS

     Christmas in all its beauty and by its very nature causes our hearts to swell to about twice the size of our available holiday funds. Visions of the perfect gifts dance in our heads and drive us to every best ever sale. After making a list and checking it twice we still hit the last minute sales spending just a little more than we really want to. When the White Christmas is over, are you in the red?

   Sticking to a Christmas budget may feel a bit like Scrooge especially when what you really want for Christmas is to spread holiday cheer freely. If every January you dread the ghost of Christmas past, let me introduce you to the Spirit of Christmas Affordable.

     Let’s make a list of typical holiday expenditures and save some green.

Cards:

Everyone loves to give and receive Christmas cards, but oh the cost of cards and postage. Buying cards a year in advance on the 26^th of December could save a few dollars if you can get through  one more shopping frenzy.  Forty (40) full priced cards can run $1.50 or better each plus postage, half if you bought at last years sale.  $30 – 60.00 total.

Making cards is a great opportunity to get into the holiday spirit. With some card stock paper, a few embellishments and a few hours with the kids or a few girlfriends you can turn out cards fit to be a gift of themselves.  One package of package of cardstock runs about $5.00 and is enough to make a couple hundred cards! If you split the pack of paper with four or five thrifty girlfriends you have trimmed this tradition down to a few bucks apiece and made a party of it.

Gifts for Kids

Gift giving is by far the greatest cash layout of Christmas present. Not only do we want to splurge big for the great gifts, but we don’t like to be embarrassed forgetting anyone. If your list is like mine, it gets longer every year and more intimidating. Let’s break it down.

First on the list, of course, are the children.  My sons first Christmas was a rather lean one and I could not afford the Glow worm he so desperately wanted. Like an elf I turned a pair of green tights and some fiberfill into a suitable likeness he adored. Wooden blocks were also quite pricy bought off the shelf, but with a little sanding a cut up 2x4 was a big hit. Some toys cannot be made – like bicycles, Big Wheels and remote control cars, etc. Bartering for these items with “elves” (friends) with older children is priceless.

As my son grew older his Dear Santa letter became more expensive and I was no longer able to tinker the items out of my toyshop. Throughout the year I would shop clearance racks and close out sales for bargains I kept cleverly stashed in tote downstairs labeled “old bills”, but I always needed a few special things to be a good Santa. 

Our local radio station has a regular promotion which has saved me a sleigh full. One day a week they offer various gift cards frequently for half of face value. So the gift card I spent $25 on buys $50 worth of merchandise whether it is myself shopping or the receiver of the gift card. Ho!  Ho!  Ho!

Gifts for Family

Next on my list is family. Typically we don’t buy for each member of the family, but choose to give a family gift which is within an agreed upon price range. Here are some packages I put together through the years:

2 movies, microwave popcorn & toppings, personalized popcorn bowls, and theatre candy

Gardening gloves & tools, numerous seed packets and a book on veggie gardening

Handmade picture frames with a gift card for a family portrait

Specialty hot cocoas and personalized mugs I made myself

Personalized towels

Home made p.j.’s – very easy to sew or match t-shirts & sleep pants

 Depending on the family’s needs or hobbies the possibilities are endless!

Gifts for Others

Now my list is down to a flurry of neighbors, girl friends, coworkers, kid’s teachers, and also hostess gifts. These items can really put Santa out of business if not planned for.

Every year I have a barter & swap meet with my other crafty and frugal girlfriends, some of which are in direct sales. We come prepared knowing who is on our lists and willing to make a deal. For instance, one hairstylist friend will trade a haircut & style for 3 candles I made. Another makes home made candies and is willing to trade for personalized coffee mugs. We look forward to the annual gathering and power shopping of a cashless nature.

Every year I also design a special Christmas ornament of which I make several. They are inexpensive, easy to make and usually will fit in the home made Christmas card perfectly. One year I painted wooden stars silver and spelled out Joy in black. Another year I made gingerbread dough boys. I have done this twenty-five years and counting. They come in very handy.

For all the single guys and domestically challenged friends I treat to tins of baked cookies and home made breads. Older folks who aren’t able to bake are also made merry remembered with foods of the holidays.

Baking

Making and baking Christmas cookies can lay out the best of Santa’s  if not kept simple. Each year I made about 15 ice cream buckets worth of cookies and I’ve learned a few things. With a few good recipes you can make most everything.

Make a double batch of dough for chocolate chip cookies then divide into thirds. One third with chocolate chips,  one third with mint chips, and a third with cherry chips.

Make a double batch of sugar cookie dough then divide in thirds. One third for colored sugar sprinkles, one third to be frosted, and one third smushed with cinnamon sugar (tastes like snicker doodles).

Make a double batch of oatmeal cookies then divide in thirds. One third with raisins, one third with butterscotch chips,  and one third with nuts.

Make a double batch of peanut butter cookies. These get a chocolate kiss on top and disappear fast!

   The Christmas budget doesn’t have to snow ball or land you on the naughty list. Just a little creativity can go a long way through the holidays. May one of the best gifts you get this year be the peace of mind in your finances come January.

             Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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