How to Celebrate Christmas on a Budget

Here is a subject most of us could write a book about (and doubtless some people have). It might have been more proper to call this How to Celebrate the Holidays on a Budget but sadly I have noticed that Christmas is the one which appears to have been most hijacked for commercial profit. Sure, we have Hanukkah wrapping paper and Kwanza teddy bears, but nothing seems to beat people up at the end of the year as much as Yuletide spending.

It wasn't always that way and the good news is that it doesn't have to wreck us now. Yes, it is possible to spend a lot less and still celebrate this great Christian feast and the beginning of the new year.

You Don't Have to Go "Cold Turkey"

There is a fine line between too materialistic and giving up gifts altogether (which most people would find pretty grim) nor do you have to limit each person to ONE parsimonious thing to unwrap. If everybody just scaled back a little, we could still have a good time and save a lot of money as well. The important thing is to communicate such plans with everyone in your family (or extended family) and friends who might be up for such an idea. Communication is vital here so everyone knows what to expect and no one ends up feeling surprised, disappointed or hurt when the big day arrives. Of course, there are the kids to think about but then ...

The Children You Love May Surprise You

The arrival of the holidays causes despair for parents who have been hard hit by the Recession. While adults may sacrifice or cut back, part and parcel of being a child is enjoying holiday gifts. In our society, children have a right to expect that and shouldn't be blamed for it but that doesn't mean that they need fancy electronic "must-haves" which could sink the family into bankruptcy in March. Peer pressure and "what the other kids got" will always be issues but your children may surprise you and be absolutely delighted with a little less than what they usually get. A friend of mine has three young daughters who are thrilled just to each get her very own coloring books and brand new box of Crayolas among the other small gifts from me.

Now is the Time for Redemption

Money isn't the only currency. A lot of us have loyalty points stacked up from credit card accounts or websites like MyPoints. This may be a good time to redeem them. Your grateful relatives and friends won't care where you got those $25 or $50 gift cards Santa brings them. If you check through your statements, you may find that there are also cash-back bonuses that can make a big difference for Santa's Desperate Helper.

Home-Made Gifts Are Still Priceless

There has always been something about fresh-baked cookies or other goodies which seems to galvanize a holiday gathering or gift exchange. This is especially true today when so many busy women just don't have the time or inclination to create wonderful treats. If you have enough time, energy and determination to step up to the plate and bake a couple cookie batches or cakes "from scratch," you could produce enough economical goodie gifts for a half a dozen lucky people and while it is true that everyone loves Fannie May (or other fine commercially prepared chocolates), homemade fudge will steal the show every time.

Family Heirlooms

If you have a family treasure which you have been waiting to pass along to a daughter or son, this may be the year for it. Wrap it beautifully and include a written history of the heirloom.

Hit Santa Up for Some Groceries

If someone asks you what you want for Christmas, don't be too proud to ask for a gift card to use at your favorite supermarket. That will make a big difference in January, when the Christmas bills you do incur come up for payment.

Take a Rain Check

Christmas and the other holidays are going to happen on a certain date - there is no changing that - but neither is there a law that says everything must be celebrated then and there. One of my friends and I exchange gifts late in January or even early February, after our budgets (and appetites) have recuperated from the sumptuous overdoing of December. We have a nice lunch at our favorite restaurant and give each other gift cards (so seasonal wrapping does not inject a jarring note). Not only does taking a rain check make the holidays a little easier but the delayed celebration also provides a little much-needed cheer during the darkest months of winter.

Christmas is coming, ready or not, but it doesn't have to be another step on the road to foreclosure or the poor house. Who knows, cutting back on the material part of Christmas may prove to be fun and a lot less stressful, as well as saving money. That's something we can all be merry about!